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A spread of bread and seafood dishes arranged on a light wooden table. — Geppetto from the Puritan & Co. team.

Where to Eat Excellent Italian Food Around Boston

It’s not all about the North End (but okay, sure, there’s a lot of good Italian food in the North End)

by Terrence Doyle, Rachel Leah Blumenthal, and Erika Adams Updated Feb 14, 2023, 4:40pm EST

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Geppetto from the Puritan & Co. team.

| Geppetto

by Terrence Doyle, Rachel Leah Blumenthal, and Erika Adams Updated Feb 14, 2023, 4:40pm EST

Boston isn’t short on Italian food — it’s easy to find variations inspired by different regions of Italy, as well as the red-sauce variety popularized by so many Italian American families. And the North End doesn’t have a patent on the stuff, either — there are excellent options all around the city.

Here are 15 local restaurants that showcase some of the best Italian and Italian American food the Boston area has to offer, from Sicilian-inspired seafood to hefty plates of pasta.

Note: While pizza is probably America’s favorite Italian offering, dedicated pizzerias don’t appear on this map; they’ve got their own.

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Giulia

Giulia is serving some of the best fresh pasta in the city. If available, get the pappardelle with wild boar, but a diner can’t go wrong with any of the options, from beef neck tortelli to squid ink linguine with cuttlefish. Plan out dinner here well in advance; reservations are difficult to snag.

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1682 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

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Closeup shot of thick pasta noodles covered in red sauce and grated parmesan cheese on a green ceramic plate. — Giulia’s fresh-made pasta is hard to beat.

Rino's Place

Rino’s Place in East Boston has the Guy Fieri “Triple D” seal of approval, not to mention the love of crowds of locals and tourists alike. The ravioli is made to order, and no meal is complete without a plate of crispy calamari for the table. Come hungry; portions tend toward gigantic. (No reservations; walk-ins only.)

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258 Saratoga St, Boston, MA 02128

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A white plate full of plump, round ravioli, topped with lobster — Lobster ravioli at Rino’s Place.

Geppetto

Geppetto, a Cambridge newcomer from the Puritan & Co. team, draws inspiration from northern Italy and beyond while emphasizing New England ingredients, so watch for dishes like pumpkin agnolotti with wild mushrooms and a pork chop Milanese. Whatever you do, save plenty of room for dessert; pastry chef Brian Mercury is among the best around.

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100 N First St, Cambridge, MA 02141

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A breaded pork chop sits on a white plate, garnished with round spirals of leeks. — Geppetto’s pork chop Milanese is served with caper and lemon brown butter, leeks, and grilled radicchio.

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Pammy's

Pammy’s is not quite Italian — the restaurant describes itself as “a New American restaurant inspired by the feel of an Italian neighborhood trattoria” — but it pulls from Italian cuisine enough (and is good enough) that it’s worth including here. Negronis are served on draft, and the pasta is made from scratch, down to the flour being milled in-house. Don’t ignore the lumache, served with a Bolognese sauce that’s kicked up with spicy Korean gochujang.

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928 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

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Fusilli Lunghi Clams with Shishito Peppers are pictured at Pammy’s in Cambridge, MA on July 18, 2017. — Fusili lunghi clams with shishito peppers.

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Trattoria Il Panino

Trattoria Il Panino, Boston’s self-proclaimed “original trattoria,” is practically a North End landmark. Go here for piles of tortellini with ham and cream, spicy penne arrabbiata, and views of bustling Hanover Street from the restaurant’s coveted year-round, heated patio.

280 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

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Carmelina's

Carmelina’s, open for a decade in Boston’s North End, has a menu inspired by Sicilian fare, including quite a bit of seafood. There are non-seafood dishes to explore, too: Try the Sunday macaroni — meatballs, sausage, and beef rib served with macaroni, tossed with tomato sauce, and topped with ricotta. It’s a lot of a good thing.

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307 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

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Closeup overhead view of a plate of mussels in a red sauce with a green herb garnish — Mussels at Carmelina’s.

Carlo's Cucina Italiana

Looking to get out of the North End? Head to Allston and get settled in the cozy, laid-back dining room at local favorite Carlo’s Cucina Italiana. Dig into hearty portions of ricotta-stuffed eggplant, gnocchi tossed with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes, and an excellent linguine combined with mussels, clams, squid, and shrimp, made with seafood enthusiasts in mind.

131 Brighton Ave, Allston, MA 02134

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Sportello

Barbara Lynch’s Italian joint Sportello is one of Fort Point’s gems. Making a reservation is wise (the staff saves a couple seats for walk-ins, but banking on that is like rolling the dice, depending on the night), though takeout is also available. The spicy tomato soup is required eating.

348 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

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A spread of Italian dishes — including salumi, olives, and more — on a bright white surface — A spread of Sportello dishes.

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Bar Mezzana

It’s all about the lobster paccheri, folks. But also any other pasta dish. And any crudo. Just order the whole menu at Bar Mezzana, which features coastal Italian cuisine.

360 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118

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Overhead view of three oval restaurant plates, each with a different elegantly plated crudo. — Bar Mezzana crudos.

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Coppa

This South End enoteca from Toro duo Jamie Bissonnette and Ken Oringer has been open for more than a decade. The team does a particularly good job with cheese and cured meats; definitely get the beef heart pastrami when available. But don’t forget the pastas: The cavatelli is a must.

Open in Google Maps

253 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

A white bowl of cavatelli in an orange-ish sauce sits on a wooden table — Cavatelli with slow cooked broccoli and chicken sausage, tomato, fennel pollen, and parmesan at Coppa.

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Where to Eat Hearts and Blood in Boston

Fox & the Knife

Fox & the Knife is the brainchild of chef and owner Karen Akunowicz (of Top Chef and Myers + Chang fame). The menu is inspired by her time spent living in Modena, Italy, and features dishes like wild boar Bolognese and Milanese di maiale. Its amari menu is vast (order a custom flight to try a range), and its focaccia is irresistibly cheese-stuffed.

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28 W Broadway, Boston, MA 02127

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A hand pulls away a triangle of taleggio-stuffed focaccia bread from a plate of it. — Taleggio-stuffed focaccia bread at Fox & the Knife in South Boston.

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SRV

SRV (which stands for Serene Republic of Venice) is a bacaro and wine bar serving Venetian-inspired cuisine in the South End. Go with friends and get at least one of each cicchetti option (Venetian small plates), but also try some of the creative pasta dishes, such as paccheri with lobster, tomato, and chili, or the strozzapreti with pork, parsnip, and black truffles.

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569 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118

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Closeup overhead view of an elegant green risotto with mushrooms and pearl onions in it. — Risotto at SRV.

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Mida

Mida features must-eat pasta, some of the best arancini in town, and more. Carb lovers with gigantic appetites will love Monday nights, which feature a pasta feast situation — $80 includes pasta galore for two, as well as salad and bread. There’s a location in Newton, too.

782 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118

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An overhead shot of dishes of various pastas laid out on a white table with drinks interspersed throughout. — A spread of pasta at Mida.

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La Morra

This Brookline mainstay tends to lean in the direction of northern Italy, based on owners Josh and Jen Ziskin’s time in Italy’s Piedmont region. For a taste of as much of the menu as possible, try the prix fixe menu with optional wine pairings.

48 Boylston St, Brookline, MA 02445

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A large piece of pork belly sits on a plate with a jammy sauce and thinly sliced radishes and other vegetables — A smoked and braised pork belly special at La Morra.

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Tavolo Ristorante

This popular neighborhood spot calls its food “Dorchester Italian,” which includes everything from plump mussels to chicken parm to tagliatelle Bolognese, not to mention pizzas.

1918 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02124

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Overhead view of a light wooden table covered with small white plates of Italian appetizers — A selection of small plates at Tavolo.

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Giulia

1682 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Giulia is serving some of the best fresh pasta in the city. If available, get the pappardelle with wild boar, but a diner can’t go wrong with any of the options, from beef neck tortelli to squid ink linguine with cuttlefish. Plan out dinner here well in advance; reservations are difficult to snag.

Open in Google Maps

1682 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Visit Website

Closeup shot of thick pasta noodles covered in red sauce and grated parmesan cheese on a green ceramic plate. — Giulia’s fresh-made pasta is hard to beat.

Rino's Place

258 Saratoga St, Boston, MA 02128

Rino’s Place in East Boston has the Guy Fieri “Triple D” seal of approval, not to mention the love of crowds of locals and tourists alike. The ravioli is made to order, and no meal is complete without a plate of crispy calamari for the table. Come hungry; portions tend toward gigantic. (No reservations; walk-ins only.)

Open in Google Maps

258 Saratoga St, Boston, MA 02128

Visit Website

A white plate full of plump, round ravioli, topped with lobster — Lobster ravioli at Rino’s Place.

Geppetto

100 N First St, Cambridge, MA 02141

Geppetto, a Cambridge newcomer from the Puritan & Co. team, draws inspiration from northern Italy and beyond while emphasizing New England ingredients, so watch for dishes like pumpkin agnolotti with wild mushrooms and a pork chop Milanese. Whatever you do, save plenty of room for dessert; pastry chef Brian Mercury is among the best around.

Open in Google Maps

100 N First St, Cambridge, MA 02141

Visit Website

A breaded pork chop sits on a white plate, garnished with round spirals of leeks. — Geppetto’s pork chop Milanese is served with caper and lemon brown butter, leeks, and grilled radicchio.

Pammy's

928 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

Pammy’s is not quite Italian — the restaurant describes itself as “a New American restaurant inspired by the feel of an Italian neighborhood trattoria” — but it pulls from Italian cuisine enough (and is good enough) that it’s worth including here. Negronis are served on draft, and the pasta is made from scratch, down to the flour being milled in-house. Don’t ignore the lumache, served with a Bolognese sauce that’s kicked up with spicy Korean gochujang.

Open in Google Maps

928 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

Visit Website

Fusilli Lunghi Clams with Shishito Peppers are pictured at Pammy’s in Cambridge, MA on July 18, 2017. — Fusili lunghi clams with shishito peppers.

Trattoria Il Panino

280 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

Trattoria Il Panino, Boston’s self-proclaimed “original trattoria,” is practically a North End landmark. Go here for piles of tortellini with ham and cream, spicy penne arrabbiata, and views of bustling Hanover Street from the restaurant’s coveted year-round, heated patio.

280 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

Visit Website

Carmelina's

307 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

Carmelina’s, open for a decade in Boston’s North End, has a menu inspired by Sicilian fare, including quite a bit of seafood. There are non-seafood dishes to explore, too: Try the Sunday macaroni — meatballs, sausage, and beef rib served with macaroni, tossed with tomato sauce, and topped with ricotta. It’s a lot of a good thing.

Open in Google Maps

307 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

Visit Website

Closeup overhead view of a plate of mussels in a red sauce with a green herb garnish — Mussels at Carmelina’s.

Carlo's Cucina Italiana

131 Brighton Ave, Allston, MA 02134

Looking to get out of the North End? Head to Allston and get settled in the cozy, laid-back dining room at local favorite Carlo’s Cucina Italiana. Dig into hearty portions of ricotta-stuffed eggplant, gnocchi tossed with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes, and an excellent linguine combined with mussels, clams, squid, and shrimp, made with seafood enthusiasts in mind.

131 Brighton Ave, Allston, MA 02134

Visit Website

Sportello

348 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

Barbara Lynch’s Italian joint Sportello is one of Fort Point’s gems. Making a reservation is wise (the staff saves a couple seats for walk-ins, but banking on that is like rolling the dice, depending on the night), though takeout is also available. The spicy tomato soup is required eating.

348 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

Visit Website

A spread of Italian dishes — including salumi, olives, and more — on a bright white surface — A spread of Sportello dishes.

Bar Mezzana

360 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118

It’s all about the lobster paccheri, folks. But also any other pasta dish. And any crudo. Just order the whole menu at Bar Mezzana, which features coastal Italian cuisine.

360 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

Overhead view of three oval restaurant plates, each with a different elegantly plated crudo. — Bar Mezzana crudos.

Coppa

253 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

This South End enoteca from Toro duo Jamie Bissonnette and Ken Oringer has been open for more than a decade. The team does a particularly good job with cheese and cured meats; definitely get the beef heart pastrami when available. But don’t forget the pastas: The cavatelli is a must.

Open in Google Maps

253 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

A white bowl of cavatelli in an orange-ish sauce sits on a wooden table — Cavatelli with slow cooked broccoli and chicken sausage, tomato, fennel pollen, and parmesan at Coppa.

Fox & the Knife

28 W Broadway, Boston, MA 02127

Fox & the Knife is the brainchild of chef and owner Karen Akunowicz (of Top Chef and Myers + Chang fame). The menu is inspired by her time spent living in Modena, Italy, and features dishes like wild boar Bolognese and Milanese di maiale. Its amari menu is vast (order a custom flight to try a range), and its focaccia is irresistibly cheese-stuffed.

Open in Google Maps

28 W Broadway, Boston, MA 02127

Visit Website

A hand pulls away a triangle of taleggio-stuffed focaccia bread from a plate of it. — Taleggio-stuffed focaccia bread at Fox & the Knife in South Boston.

SRV

569 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118

SRV (which stands for Serene Republic of Venice) is a bacaro and wine bar serving Venetian-inspired cuisine in the South End. Go with friends and get at least one of each cicchetti option (Venetian small plates), but also try some of the creative pasta dishes, such as paccheri with lobster, tomato, and chili, or the strozzapreti with pork, parsnip, and black truffles.

Open in Google Maps

569 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

Closeup overhead view of an elegant green risotto with mushrooms and pearl onions in it. — Risotto at SRV.

Mida

782 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118

Mida features must-eat pasta, some of the best arancini in town, and more. Carb lovers with gigantic appetites will love Monday nights, which feature a pasta feast situation — $80 includes pasta galore for two, as well as salad and bread. There’s a location in Newton, too.

782 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

An overhead shot of dishes of various pastas laid out on a white table with drinks interspersed throughout. — A spread of pasta at Mida.

La Morra

48 Boylston St, Brookline, MA 02445

This Brookline mainstay tends to lean in the direction of northern Italy, based on owners Josh and Jen Ziskin’s time in Italy’s Piedmont region. For a taste of as much of the menu as possible, try the prix fixe menu with optional wine pairings.

48 Boylston St, Brookline, MA 02445

Visit Website

A large piece of pork belly sits on a plate with a jammy sauce and thinly sliced radishes and other vegetables — A smoked and braised pork belly special at La Morra.

Tavolo Ristorante

1918 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02124

This popular neighborhood spot calls its food “Dorchester Italian,” which includes everything from plump mussels to chicken parm to tagliatelle Bolognese, not to mention pizzas.

1918 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02124

Visit Website

Overhead view of a light wooden table covered with small white plates of Italian appetizers — A selection of small plates at Tavolo.

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