Known as the oldest residential community in Boston, the North End is home to many restaurants and bakeries, and is rich in history with sites like Paul Revere’s house and the Freedom Trail. But if this description doesn’t ring a bell, you might’ve heard the North End referred to as Boston’s “Little Italy.”
In the North End, you can usually expect large crowds of people coming to and from dinner and long lines of people waiting outside for a table to open up. And it’s not just restaurants that fill up quickly. The North’s End’s famous and delicious bakeries often have people waiting outside for a fresh cannoli, fruit tart, tiramisu, and many more tasty treats!
To help you navigate your trip around this Boston neighborhood, I’ve compiled a list of places to try for a nice dinner with friends, to impress your visitors, or just to treat yourself with a tasty meal.
- AquaPazza
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AquaPazza is a nice, little, cozy restaurant owned by DePasquale Ventures and tucked in the North End. I suggest making a reservation at this restaurant, as space is limited and a little cramped.
However, their food is phenomenal! I highly recommend trying the gnocchi and pairing it with their homemade tiramisu (made right in front of you) at the end.
- Quattro
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Quattro is another restaurant owned by DePasquale Ventures, although it serves a different cuisine than my last recommendation.
Personally, I’m not the biggest fan of pizza, but Quattro is an exception. Its brick oven pizzas have just the right crust-to-sauce-to-cheese ratio, and they have a variety of pizzas for you to try.
- Giacomo’s Ristorante
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Next up, Giacomo’s is one of the 20 best Italian restaurants in the entire United States, according to Tasting Table, and I couldn’t agree more.
The restaurant is a family-owned business and is a rare cash ONLY spot. They have such friendly staff and delicious food, but you will fall victim to long waits since they don’t have reservations. With that being said, in my opinion, the food is definitely worth the wait!
- Caffe Paradiso
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As many of you probably know, there is no shortage of coffee shops around Boston, but Caffe Paradiso stands out in the North End.
It’s the perfect place to get some gelato, a nice warm hot chocolate, or maybe even an espresso martini on a night out. It’s one of the best spots to catch up with your friends, sitting at one of the small round tables in the soft lighting of the cafe.
Keriss101 / Spoon - Bova’s Bakery
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Last but not least is Bova’s Bakery. I love this place with my whole heart. They’re open 24/7 and have a wide range of cannolis, and while it is hotly debated, most of my friends and I wholeheartedly believe they have the best cannolis in Boston!
You might get lucky and avoid the rush so you won’t have to wait in line, but you should be prepared just in case (there usually is). Trust me, they have such amazing pastries and such friendly and attentive staff that it keeps everyone coming back!
So if you haven’t already, I highly encourage you to try at least one of these spots. They have something for everyone to love!
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