The food was spectacular and I appreciated the level of service. My brother is autistic and very particular. Our waitress was kind and accommodating. The calamari, lobster bisque and lobster ravioli were better than some of the overly hyped restaurants. The cocktails were really good too. The next time I visit Boston, I’ll be sure to check them out. When the staff is enthusiastic and friendly it creates a space that you want to return to. You get that when you visit. Our waitress even gave my brother a hug. I cannot express how much her kindness and patience meant to my family. Please check them out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Trish Boccuti
We had a really fantastic dinner tonight. To start, our server was excellent. Knowledgeable, friendly, just the right amount of attention.The food was awesome. We started w oysters, the had some of the best lobster bisque I’ve ever had. Then the zucchini flowers which were super tasty. Lastly we had the butternut squash and the apple ravioli- both incredible.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Bisque
boshmickey
Came to North End on a short outing while in Boston. The food is AMAZING. From the oyster bar to the Italian meatballs, this place is a must try! (Excuse the dirty table cloth. My son went crazy on his food.)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Margarita Lopez-Towle
Nice spot for seafood and Italian with a nice wine list. Great service, always helpful and friendly staff. I went in the afternoon and had a great lunch. Try to clam shooters!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Katya Žic
We ate lobster, and it was delicious, definitely recommended. Friendly staff.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food, especially the fried calamari and cioppino. The staff was very friendly and attentive. We had reservations and they sat us right away. The seafood is really good. I would definitely go back.
Jac Birney
Ordered the meatballs for main course and one large meatball was served FROZEN. This after an hour wait following charcuterie board to start. Didn’t seem like anyone was minding our table. Wouldn’t recommend this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
When we arrived I thought I found the gem. Food didn't come out for 1:30 and when it did it was terrible. The stuffed lobster had zero lobster, cold shrimp and calamari. The lazy fra Lazy Fra Diovolo came out with ziti instead of linguine. The lobster Mac and cheese was terrible. They did comp the food. Who cares! Oh and be careful if you sit in the room to the left of the door. You'll freeze. NOT good. I should have read the room. When the whole restaurant gets limon cello shots bc of poor food you know you're in trouble. SKIP!
asccarl
I was looking for a great restaurant in the North End to celebrate Valentines Day with my wife. I wanted a nice ambiance with a menu that combined seafood and Italian - I was so happy Rabia's Dolce Fumo was available! It was perfect. The food we had was so good and the seafood so fresh. We had great service all night - and being serenaded by an accordion player just made it that little bit better. Great night! I would certainly go again!
Amazing food but the owner was having a party; we were definitely the second class citizens. The waitress was fine but it was clear it was the owners group was being helped first. That said it was honestly fantastic food wise, and they brought bread whenever we asked, and we asked a lot. Not the old spot it used to be when it was just Rabias but the food is still the same.
Not bad but there are much better places in North End. This is an easy spot to get a reservation but that says about what you need to know about the experience. Overpriced for the quality of food and for that cost, you might as well go to a better spot in Boston’s Italian
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 4
Michelle H.
Have had amazing experiences in the past but owners not in tonight. They remade the antipasto platter for us which originally had canned giardiniera, off Italian meats and a couple pieces of mozzarella. Stuffed figs and Gorgonzola were ok, spaghetti and meatballs rubbery and flavorless and chicken Marsala was tender but tasted like beef broth soupy liquid under chicken. The young busser gal was slamming dirty dishes in the bus bucket all night and we had to ask her to quiet down as she was literally slamming everything. Kinda ruined our dinner experience. Bathrooms were absolutely GROSS and felt like we were at a dirty nightclub; do better please as we want to come back. Not the same experience as the last couple years. We go into the city for a good experience and have had better at the local Italian restaurant in southern NH. Merry Christmas
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
EGFood
Delishious food! Service was a bit slow - we waited for about 30 min before we were able to order drinks. Watch out for their goblets! Absolutely delishious and surprising but do ask about the price before ordering! The menus has no prices for these drinks! Overall we enjoyed the visit!
Toni Grimaldi
Disappointed. The bread here with the pesto sauce it came with was the only nice dish. We ordered the Cesar salad which was basic at best but our main dish was called the Sebastiano which was basically a chef Boyardee can with old canned artichoke hearts with shrimp that tasted like it was ready to swim and scallops with no flavor it may as well have been Tofu. The service was nice though
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 5
Alamo Biohazard (America's Bio Solutions)
Venturing into Rabia's Dolce Fumo, Friday night proved to be an extraordinary seafood expedition. As a Texan eager for a taste of the Atlantic, the ambiance hit all the right notes. Welcomed by a gracious woman in a black dress, the restaurant exuded a magnetic charm. The cartoon-like aroma trail led us to a vibrant section with a concealed bar that added an element of surprise.Our server, the remarkable Yaya, elevated the experience. Patient and knowledgeable, she navigated us through the menu, turning the dining experience into a culinary journey. The seasonal swordfish was a revelation—a delicate dish featuring a perfectly grilled filet accompanied by fresh vegetables and a light dressing.Exploring further, the oysters were a highlight—fresh, flavorful, and needing no enhancement, except perhaps a squeeze of lemon. The drink selection, despite being seasonal, possessed a timeless quality, as if crafted by seasoned mixologists.Yaya's attentive service added an extra layer of enjoyment. Her guidance enhanced our choices, making each plate a symphony of flavors. Rabia's Dolce Fumo is not just a seafood haven; it's a masterclass in ambiance, service, and culinary excellence. An unforgettable experience, and a heartfelt thanks to Yaya for making it truly exceptional.
The food was spectacular and I appreciated the level of service. My brother is autistic and very particular. Our waitress was kind and accommodating. The calamari, lobster bisque and lobster ravioli were better than some of the overly hyped restaurants. The cocktails were really good too. The next time I visit Boston, I’ll be sure to check them out. When the staff is enthusiastic and friendly it creates a space that you want to return to. You get that when you visit. Our waitress even gave my brother a hug. I cannot express how much her kindness and patience meant to my family. Please check them out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had a really fantastic dinner tonight. To start, our server was excellent. Knowledgeable, friendly, just the right amount of attention.The food was awesome. We started w oysters, the had some of the best lobster bisque I’ve ever had. Then the zucchini flowers which were super tasty. Lastly we had the butternut squash and the apple ravioli- both incredible.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Bisque
Came to North End on a short outing while in Boston. The food is AMAZING. From the oyster bar to the Italian meatballs, this place is a must try! (Excuse the dirty table cloth. My son went crazy on his food.)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice spot for seafood and Italian with a nice wine list. Great service, always helpful and friendly staff. I went in the afternoon and had a great lunch. Try to clam shooters!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
We ate lobster, and it was delicious, definitely recommended. Friendly staff.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food, especially the fried calamari and cioppino. The staff was very friendly and attentive. We had reservations and they sat us right away. The seafood is really good. I would definitely go back.
Ordered the meatballs for main course and one large meatball was served FROZEN. This after an hour wait following charcuterie board to start. Didn’t seem like anyone was minding our table. Wouldn’t recommend this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
When we arrived I thought I found the gem. Food didn't come out for 1:30 and when it did it was terrible. The stuffed lobster had zero lobster, cold shrimp and calamari. The lazy fra Lazy Fra Diovolo came out with ziti instead of linguine. The lobster Mac and cheese was terrible. They did comp the food. Who cares! Oh and be careful if you sit in the room to the left of the door. You'll freeze. NOT good. I should have read the room. When the whole restaurant gets limon cello shots bc of poor food you know you're in trouble. SKIP!
I was looking for a great restaurant in the North End to celebrate Valentines Day with my wife. I wanted a nice ambiance with a menu that combined seafood and Italian - I was so happy Rabia's Dolce Fumo was available! It was perfect. The food we had was so good and the seafood so fresh. We had great service all night - and being serenaded by an accordion player just made it that little bit better. Great night! I would certainly go again!
Amazing food but the owner was having a party; we were definitely the second class citizens. The waitress was fine but it was clear it was the owners group was being helped first. That said it was honestly fantastic food wise, and they brought bread whenever we asked, and we asked a lot. Not the old spot it used to be when it was just Rabias but the food is still the same.
Restaurantji Recommends
Not bad but there are much better places in North End. This is an easy spot to get a reservation but that says about what you need to know about the experience. Overpriced for the quality of food and for that cost, you might as well go to a better spot in Boston’s Italian
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 4
Have had amazing experiences in the past but owners not in tonight. They remade the antipasto platter for us which originally had canned giardiniera, off Italian meats and a couple pieces of mozzarella. Stuffed figs and Gorgonzola were ok, spaghetti and meatballs rubbery and flavorless and chicken Marsala was tender but tasted like beef broth soupy liquid under chicken. The young busser gal was slamming dirty dishes in the bus bucket all night and we had to ask her to quiet down as she was literally slamming everything. Kinda ruined our dinner experience. Bathrooms were absolutely GROSS and felt like we were at a dirty nightclub; do better please as we want to come back. Not the same experience as the last couple years. We go into the city for a good experience and have had better at the local Italian restaurant in southern NH. Merry Christmas
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Delishious food! Service was a bit slow - we waited for about 30 min before we were able to order drinks. Watch out for their goblets! Absolutely delishious and surprising but do ask about the price before ordering! The menus has no prices for these drinks! Overall we enjoyed the visit!
Disappointed. The bread here with the pesto sauce it came with was the only nice dish. We ordered the Cesar salad which was basic at best but our main dish was called the Sebastiano which was basically a chef Boyardee can with old canned artichoke hearts with shrimp that tasted like it was ready to swim and scallops with no flavor it may as well have been Tofu. The service was nice though
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 5
Venturing into Rabia's Dolce Fumo, Friday night proved to be an extraordinary seafood expedition. As a Texan eager for a taste of the Atlantic, the ambiance hit all the right notes. Welcomed by a gracious woman in a black dress, the restaurant exuded a magnetic charm. The cartoon-like aroma trail led us to a vibrant section with a concealed bar that added an element of surprise.Our server, the remarkable Yaya, elevated the experience. Patient and knowledgeable, she navigated us through the menu, turning the dining experience into a culinary journey. The seasonal swordfish was a revelation—a delicate dish featuring a perfectly grilled filet accompanied by fresh vegetables and a light dressing.Exploring further, the oysters were a highlight—fresh, flavorful, and needing no enhancement, except perhaps a squeeze of lemon. The drink selection, despite being seasonal, possessed a timeless quality, as if crafted by seasoned mixologists.Yaya's attentive service added an extra layer of enjoyment. Her guidance enhanced our choices, making each plate a symphony of flavors. Rabia's Dolce Fumo is not just a seafood haven; it's a masterclass in ambiance, service, and culinary excellence. An unforgettable experience, and a heartfelt thanks to Yaya for making it truly exceptional.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5