Boston, the capital of Massachusetts and the most populous city, is one of the most famous and most visited cities in the state. While the city is known for its culture, rich history, and sporting events, its food scene deserves praise. When it comes to delicious food, Italian food is the best in the world as it has an incredible history of outstanding flavors, and Boston is known for having some of the tastiest. The city’s legendary North End is the most acclaimed region for the best of Italian cuisine. From spaghetti and meatballs to antipasti to cannelloni, here are 10 Boston restaurants serving the best Italian food.
10 Al dente
Located in the heart of Boston’s North End, Al Dente serves authentic Italian cuisine from all corners of Italy. From chicken to incredible seafood to a wide variety of pasta, the restaurant menu is top notch! Carrying names like ‘worthwhile destination’, ‘northern comfort food’ and ‘gourmet greatness’, Al Dente guarantees a memorable dining experience for every traveler who steps into the restaurant and orders an Italian dish. Its open kitchen allows tourists to witness the preparation of excellent dishes. The place is cozy and informal, allowing visitors to have a relaxed North End dining experience.
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Opening hours:
11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Sunday to Thursday) and 11:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. (Friday and Saturday) -
Address:
109 Salem Street, Boston, MA 02113 -
Contact:
617-523-0990
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9 Bacchus
Just a few minutes’ walk from Paul Revere’s house and the Old North Church, Bacco is considered the most romantic restaurant in town. The Italian cuisine served at this restaurant is both fine and regional with a modern twist. The design of the structure is incredible, from the mahogany ceiling overlooking the Freedom Trail to a beautifully decorated floor and lively downstairs bar. The menu is extensive and includes Antipasti, Insalata, Pasta I Riso, Contorni, Pollo, among others.
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Opening hours:
17:00 – 22:00 (Tuesday to Thursday), 16:30 – 22:30 (Friday), 15:30 – 22:30 (Saturday), 17:00 – 22:00 (Sunday) -
Address:
107 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113, USA -
Contact:
+1 617 624 0454
8th old oven
Antico Forno is home to tasty Italian cuisine, with dishes ranging from pizza to terracotta. The restaurant makes it into the list of the 10 best Italian restaurants in the world thanks to its delicious offerings, quality service and wide variety. The atmosphere is homey, but also lively and loud. Also based in the North End, Antico Forno is a must-see restaurant. Best known for its stone-oven pizza, Antico Forno serves other appetizers, including saltimbocca di pollo.
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Opening hours:
11:30 am – 10:30 pm (Monday to Thursday), 11:30 am – 3:30 pm / 10:30 pm (Friday & Saturday), 11:30 am – 3:30 pm / 10:00 pm -
Address:
93 Salem St., North End, Boston, MA 02113 -
Contact:
(617) 723-6733
7 Carmelinas
Carmelina’s opened in 2012 in the center of the North End on Hanover Street, offering travelers traditional Sicilian home cooking with a unique Mediterranean twist. Run by Executive Chef Damien DiPaola, the restaurant has morphed from old-school but flavorful family fare to modern Italian cuisine that serves seafood, a variety of pastas, and more. The menu includes frutti di mare, mussels, calamari, siciliano and fusilli, among others. The restaurants have an open kitchen and beautiful dining area with stunning family photos hanging on the walls.
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Opening hours:
12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., daily -
Address:
307 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02113 -
Contact:
617-742-0020
6 davios
Located in Park Square in the Back Bay area of Boston, Davio’s is one of the city’s most impressive restaurants, serving the finest Italian cuisine. Visitors take their meals in the outdoor dining area with white tablecloths. Veal chops and handmade pasta are served in the dining room. In fact, every dish is prepared by hand and the best ingredients are used. The restaurant was purchased by Steve DiFillippo in 1985 at the age of 24 and made several changes to the menu, beautiful space and wine list. He transformed what was then a local family restaurant into a popular destination with the best Italian food.
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Opening hours:
Lunch 11:30am – 3:00pm (Monday to Friday), Dinner 3:00pm – 10:00pm (Sunday to Tuesday), 3:00pm – 11:00pm (Wednesday to Saturday) -
Address:
75 Arlington Street, Boston, MA 02116 -
Contact:
Telephone 617.357.4810 , FAX: 617.357.1997
5 Giacomo
Giacomo’s offers incredible variations when it comes to traditional Italian fare. It’s a family run restaurant in the North End. The diner is a little different from other restaurants in that there are no reservations for dining and the menus are always posted around the house showing the available meats, sauces and homemade pasta. They only accept cash but the appetizer menu is extensive. The taste of the food served here is second to none! When you’ve finished eating, it’s important to leave the eatery, otherwise the staff and other visitors who want to claim a seat in the eatery will continue to stare.
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Opening hours:
12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Sunday – Thursday), 12:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. (Friday & Saturday) -
Address:
North End, 355 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02116 -
Contact:
(617) 523-9026
4 Mezzana bar
Known for its delicious homemade pasta and crudo, Bar Mezzana offers visitors a fusion of New England and Italian coastal cuisine. Located in Boston’s South End, it offers some of the tastiest vegetarian and vegan options. The restaurant was founded by a couple, Colin and Heather Lynch, along with Jefferson Macklin, their partner.
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Address:
360 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 -
Contact:
617-530-1770
3 mother Mary
Mamma Maria ranks it as the best restaurant serving Italian cuisine because their dishes are delicious and have a reputation for quality service. Located on a small hill in North Square, the oldest public square in the United States, this restaurant was established in 1973. Its five dining rooms are perfect for private meetings and events and offer an incredible menu with a variety of Italian dishes. Some of the must-try items include rabbit pasta, short ribs, and osso buco—and are best served for lunch or dinner.
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Opening hours:
5:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. (Sunday to Thursday), 4:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Friday & Saturday) -
Address:
3 North Square, Boston, MA 02113, Phone: 617-523-0077 -
Contact:
(617) 523-0077
2 Price
Offering authentic Italian cuisine in the city’s North End, Prezza has now become a premier destination for fantastic food, incredible wine and family celebrations. The restaurant. Now a mixture of Mediterranean and Italian cuisine is served that no visitor would want to miss. The menu is extensive and will surely satisfy any guest’s interest in authentic Italian cuisine.
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Opening hours:
4:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Sunday to Tuesday), 4:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Wednesday to Saturday) -
Address:
24 Fleet Street, Boston, MA 02113 -
Contact:
617-227-1577
1 Little sister
Sorellina offers a fantastic blend of Italian-Mediterranean cuisine, sophisticated service, incredible Italian wine lists, and a modern-inspired aesthetic. Located in the heart of Copley Square, the restaurant’s dining room features a unique, contemporary design that ensures guests are comfortable. Food preparation at Sorellina is based on the best seasonal offerings. The extensive wine list follows the same pattern, with a mix of contemporary and classic wines.
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Address:
1 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116 -
Contact:
617-412-4600
