The conversation about Italian food in Boston often begins and ends with the North End, and more specifically the restaurants and markets along Hanover and Salem streets. While it’s hard to deny the North End’s preeminence in the genre, it’s not the only neighborhood in and around Boston serving great Italian food.
Nestled along the Charles River just beyond Boston’s city limits lies Nonantum, or “the Lake,” as the locals call it. One of Newton’s 13 villages, this tight-knit and historically Italian enclave is home to some of the best Italian food in Greater Boston. Offering opportunities to splurge on handmade sausages at a century-old deli or cannoli that is piped to order with sweet ricotta filling, this hidden gem has all the gustatory merit of the North End without all of the tourists.
Please note that a number of Boston-area restaurants have resumed dine-in service, and the level of service offered is indicated on each map point. However, this should not be taken as endorsement for dining in, as there are still safety concerns: For updated information on coronavirus cases in the area, please visit the Massachusetts coronavirus website.
Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.
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