50 Best Italian Restaurants in Boston

“Perfect place for Mothers Day when Valet is a must!“

“I think this might be my perfect neighborhood nice dinner spot. I'm going to go back and have wine next time.

Also, they really like adding soybeans to stuff that doesn't need soybeans. I'm not sure what's up with that. Kinda weird.“

“This place is amazing!! The customer service was top notch!!“

“I attended an event yesterday at this amazing Restaurant. The atmosphere is so inviting, the drinks were delicious. Food was absolutely scrumptious. And the staff all so kind and friendly. I highly recommend stopping in for a cocktail or dinner, you won’t be disappointed!!!“

“Pazza is AMAZING! Great service and the food is incredible. Highly recommend!“

“By far the best, authentic Italian food in the North End. We have dined at several restaurants but the service, ambience and food is the best! They make their own pasta and sauces daily. I cannot recommend Casarecce enough. Delicioso.“

“If you’re looking for a sign to go to The Salty Pig, this is it.

At this point, I’m convinced they should start charging me rent.

Jade is the absolute best. She’s one of those people who can somehow make your day better just by being herself. Whether it’s recommending a wine I’d never think to order, talking me through the menu when decision fatigue has completely taken over, or making an absolutely perfect French 75, she somehow always knows exactly what I need. She has this effortless way of making everyone at the bar feel like a regular, and you can tell she genuinely cares about the people who walk through the door. She’s one of the biggest reasons I keep coming back.

And then there is Ty. Some of my favorite visits turn into conversations with him. We can talk about just about anything, and somehow he always has the perfect mix of humor, perspective, and genuine interest. It’s never just small talk. It’s the kind of conversation that makes you forget you walked in exhausted after work, and before you know it, your whole day is better.

Chris is always quick to say hi when he sees me, which is one of those little things that makes you feel welcome before you’ve even sat down.

Ann rounds out my dream team behind the bar. Between Ann, Jade, and Ty, I’ve discovered wines I never would’ve ordered on my own, had more laughs than I can count, and have never once felt like just another customer. Whether I stop in early or after a long day at work, they always make me feel like I’m exactly where I should be.

Jilllllll and Angela are always happy to commiserate with me about whatever kind of day I’ve had. And in the interest of full disclosure… while I was literally writing this review, one of them popped up behind me and scared the life out of me. I couldn’t have planned that timing if I tried.

Now let’s talk about the food.

I’ve honestly never had a bad meal here. Every single thing I’ve ordered has been outstanding, but if I had to pick a favorite, the beef cheek is absolutely unreal. Every plate arrives with a refined flair that somehow manages to feel elevated without ever feeling pretentious. It’s comfort food that decided to put on a tailored suit.

The Salty Pig has become more than a restaurant for me. It’s where I unwind after work, where decision fatigue magically disappears because someone always has the perfect recommendation, where I’ve learned to appreciate great wine, and where I know I’ll leave happier than I arrived.

To Jade, Ann, Ty, Chris, Jilllllll, Angela, and everyone else at The Salty Pig: thank you for making an incredible restaurant feel like home away from home. You all are the secret ingredient!!!!“

“We sat at the bar which is separate from the restaurant. Comfy chairs, good street scene. Attentive service and nice lighting.
The squash blossoms were a unique and yummy app. The lobster gnocchi had nice chunks of lobster.
A great experience all around.

lighting.“

“My husband and I had dinner last Sunday night. It was a beautiful experience with impeccable service. I am going to remember my quail dish for a very long time. Highly recommend“

“Quality ingredients. A sublime attention to detail. Balance in salty, umami and heat. The broccoli Caesar is a must have along with the homemade ricotta. I sat at Chefs counter and got wonderful attention from everyone. Amazing!“

“First time in the city and this was an amazing dinner for us. The food is delicious.“

“Once again, another great experience. We will always come back. I'd love to know how the bartender makes the absolute best drinks. I cannot duplicate it, no matter how hard I try. And of course our entrees (veal chop, filet, salmon, and gnocci) were superb. And kudos to our waiter Tommy from NH, he arrived at the table at the most appropriate times.“

“Very hyped up restaurant so we expected to be blown away. Overall, the food was tasty, especially the sugar snap salad, eggplant pizza, and meatball special. The tallegio pasta was good but definitely more for cheese lovers, and the bucatini was great as well but neither were super outstanding. The clams were a bit disappointing. Friendly service and great atmosphere“

“Great place to have date night. Very nice“

“By far our favorite restaurant anywhere. Amazing food, oustanding service and attentative staff. My wife and I have tried a lot of different meals at Tresca and have loved them all. No matter what you order, you will not be disappointed. Chef Rich does an amazing job!“

“Amazing food and service with authentic Italian hospitality!“

“I had an amazing experience and can’t wait to go back🥰“

“The quality and presentation of the food was top notch. We were incredibly impressed by the dining room layout and staff. If you are looking for a place to propose to your significant other… this is NOT the appropriate place. As I mentioned the food was the finest I’ve ever had; however, the music was terrible. We felt like we were in a 1990’s discotheque. The music was loud, very heavy beat and not remotely romantic. We did mention to our waitstaff and they attempted to get it turned down to no avail. No coffee or dessert available either. I understand space is limited; however you have two of the finest dessert businesses well within walking distance. Even if you only carry two desserts. I would still go back there for the food with the hopes of different music…even soft jazz would be acceptable.“

“Husband and I went to Maggiano's for the first time today. The food was fantastic and the portions are huge. Our waitress Marisa was very attentive and made sure we had everything we need during our meal here. Highly recommend and we can't wait to come back!“

“First experience at LFG and wont be our last! Food was ON POINT! So much food and everything was delicious ! Fantastic gluten-free options and super mindful of allergies/safety. Michelle our server was fantastic and accommodating and helped us celebrate our daughter’s birthday. LFG has a whole new meaning! Let’s flipping go (LFG) to Lla Familia Giorgios (LFG)!“

“Took my 9 year old son here today for lunch When we were done, he said “Daddy, this is the best pizza I’ve ever had!” My 9 year old is a major pizza snob“

“Grilled Clams make it so worthwhile“

“Amazing! Every bite was delish! First visit and will be back for sure!“

“Probably one of the best meals ever. From oysters to bread pudding! So amazing! A burst of flavor in every bite! Go out of your way if you have to , you won’t regret! 💕“

“Table was amazing!! After living in the north end for 2 years and hearing glowing reviews I was excited to try it out for myself. I would 100% recommend the meatball and the Gnocchi with pesto drizzle they were delicious. Service was friendly and fast! Would recommend to anyone!“

“Amazing food and great customer service! Put this place on your To Go list in Boston!“

“By far the best food and atmosphere! Cheryl was our server and was simply outstanding! The portions are huge and the food is fresh and inspired!“

“It matches the hype. The Sicilian Pizza is…perfect. There’s not enough superlatives to do it justice and if there were, even then it wouldn’t reach hyperbole. Craziest thing of it all is the pricing. Four slices, arancini, and a drink for $16.00? How? In today’s economy how are they keeping the price this low? Also amazing. Just go. Don’t think about it, don’t pass go, don’t collect $200…go get your dang perfect slice.“

“went for first time today so good I am sure it will be the first of many visits“

“Awesome food! Great service! Perfect restaurant. Vodka sauce is the best I've had. Eggplant parmigiana highly recommended. The meatballs were phenomenal as well.“

“Try one of everything, it's all homemade and so very delicious! Gabriel is a phenomenal waiter!“

“Everything about Limoncello’s is terrific. I started back in the early 2000’s having lunch when visiting family that lives in Chelsea. Then we came this past summer for my son’s 10th birthday. We dined there Friday and Saturday night this past weekend because my son loves it so much. If you haven’t tried it, then get there! It’s the best I’ve had in the North End! Maurizio is a gentleman and his family treated us wonderfully. Chico is a great server and LuLu is quick witted, kind, and BEAUTIFUL! Every staff member was great…especially one person that really made my boy feel special.“

“We held our wedding reception at Bar Volpe and it was truly perfect. Mo was extremely communicative, easygoing and helpful during the planning process. The whole staff was attentive, friendly and professional throughout the night. Our guests' allergies and dietary needs were looked after seamlessly. The food and drinks at Bar Volpe are unbelievable. Everything is fresh, created with care and presented beautifully. A huge shout-out to the bar tending staff who took such good care of us and even whipped up specialty shots for us in the middle of the evening. The absolute gem of the night was Mo springing into action when it was discovered our baker got the wrong date and realized no came was coming. Mo got in her personal vehicle to drive way across town to find us a cake and resolve the issue. The best part was she coordinated with our family so I (the bride) was none the wiser and could enjoy the evening. So thoughtful, so resourceful!
I can't say enough how stunning the space, service, and dining experience is at Bar Volpe. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! We'd do it all again in a heartbeat.
Our deepest gratitude and admiration,
Kelly and Ben“

“I thought Capri was going to be another overhyped restaurant that put too much effort in the decor and not enough on the food - and am I glad to be wrong.

I won’t spend too much time in the space itself, it’s gorgeous, it’s what everyone raves about - the real star is the food.

On paper, nothing sounds too groundbreaking but in practice - all of it kinda blew me away. The garlic bread was incredible, emphasis on the GARLIC. Whole cloves of garlic baked into the bread then topped with fried garlic. The bolognese was another great surprise - I loved that the meat was braised instead of minced. Then the Strawberry Rhubarb Crostada might be one of the best desserts I ever had. Everything had so much flavor.

Lastly, free validated parking. Truly a myth to have parking at any Boston restaurant.“

“This place is fantastic! We highly recommend making a reservation, as it’s a small restaurant and fills up quickly. We stopped in on a Saturday around 5 PM and were lucky enough to grab seats at the bar.

The wine selection is outstanding, with plenty of great options to choose from. We ordered the veal, which was enormous and easily large enough to share. We also tried both the truffle pasta and the vodka pasta, with the vodka pasta being our favorite. The portions were generous, the food was delicious, and the pricing felt very reasonable for the area.

A wonderful experience overall! I would definitely return and highly recommend it.“

“Excellent food and service“

“This is a cool spot with excellent food. I tried the meatballs, slow-cooked short rib, and rigatoni. All were delicious. There was also a decent selection of cocktails and wine. The restaurant is small and intimate, but was also very busy and loud when I was there. It was a little bit difficult to talk across the table due to the volume in the restaurant. I still recommend going if you want some great food, just be mindful that it may not be the right choice for an intimate chat or quiet evening. I would go back.“

“This place had the best chicken Parmesan we had ever eaten. I’m so glad we stumbled upon this place that was not too far from our hotel. Our waitress was so kind and attentive.“

“Wonderful food and great service in an amazing setting!“

“Stopped by Davios on my way out of logan. Food was pretty good. Had the burger which was very filling if you're hungry. The bartender Diego was awesome! Friendly knowledgeable and hilarious. I'll be stopping in again and again just for the great service!“

“Wonderfully perched atop the Newbury, views of the Public Garden. Chic, delicious, always an incredible time.“

“Having waited nearly a year to visit, I was excited to secure a table, and La Padrona did not disappoint. The hostess and floor managers greeted us warmly and accommodated a last minute change from the bar to a table. Cocktails are numerous and innovative, and there is a long wine list to choose from with the help of a staff sommelier. The food was exquisite, with filling appetizers and generous primi and secondi portions. Service was outstanding, and I know I'm hard to please as someone from industry. There are only two reasons the atmosphere received mid-marks. One was for the use of Toast handheld POS units. This is a luxury, high-price-point restaurant; your servers should be using pen & paper (or nothing), and collecting and processing the check at a central POS, not a mobile unit in front of the guests. Second, enforce your dress code, even if that is only dress casual. Your restaurant is beautiful, the art deco styling, servers in uniform, and floor managers in business attire create a sense of occasion, only to be broken by guests in shorts, sneakers, hats, and t-shirts - it cheapens the experience.“

“Excellente expérience. On passait devant le restaurant qui n'avait l'aire de rien de l'extérieur, mais en entrant j'ai immédiatement changé d'idée. Christian nous a accueilli avec un grand sourir et son service était plus qu'excellent. Les meilleurs canoli et cappuccino que j'ai goutés depuis un bon moment. C'est certain que j'y retourne la prochaine fois que je suis à Boston!“

“If you want a family atmosphere and to feel at home, eat here. They were incredibly kind and generous to our young family. They loved our kids and made their morning so special. We went home smiling and wishing we never left that atmosphere. Thank you so much!“

“Best pizza I’ve had in Boston. Broccoli pizza was phenomenal and tasted very fresh 👌“

“Very nice staff and delicious food“

“The Dungeon Master Roll the Dice“

“My husband & I had a lovely lunch there this afternoon. Our first time there. Will certainly be back. Thank you so much for your hospitality.“

“This restaurant has the BEST Italian food, service, and atmosphere. The owner, Frank, is WONDERFULLY welcoming and charming! This restaurant was the highlight of our trip to Boston.“