Boston’s North End is a vibrant, bustling community. Home to the majority of the city’s Italian restaurants, the North End also offers Italian bakeries, gelaterias and a plethora of parades and festivals in the summer months. The Freedom Trail (a 2.5-mile route that leads you through important historical sites across the city) also runs smack dab through the North End, and includes stops for The Old North Church (made famous by the midnight ride of Paul Revere), The Paul Revere House and the Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, the second-oldest burying ground in Boston.
With all of the neighborhood’s history and great food, it does tend to attract a good number of tourists. However, it’s also quite residential, and has a good mix of residents ranging from young professionals to families who have lived there for generations. Originally settled in 1630, the North End is, in fact, Boston’s oldest residential neighborhood. And the locals take advantage of all the neighborhood has to offer, along with all of its visitors.
With nearly 100 restaurants crammed into a fairly small portion of the city (0.36 square miles, to be exact), it can be difficult to determine where to go for a good meal in the North End. When living in the neighborhood, I once stated that I wanted to try every single restaurant. But after half a dozen mediocre (or some even downright bad) meals, I decided to stick with the spots that I’ve come to love over the years. Read on for my tips on the best restaurants in the North End, along with other recommendations for things to see and do, and where to stay, in the neighborhood.
Best Restaurants in the North End
While there are many restaurants in the North End to choose from, some of my favorites follow below. In addition to the restaurants highlighted, a few others to check out include Lucca, Nico, Bricco and Carmelina’s (if you go to Carmelina’s, get the Sunday Macaroni, hands down).
(Pro tip: There is a cap on the number of full liquor licenses available in Boston, and many restaurants in the North End are only licensed to sell beer and wine, or beer, wine and cordials. If you want a martini or cocktail with your dinner, be sure to check ahead of time).
Best North End Restaurant: Vinoteca di Monica
143 Richmond Street
One of my all-time favorite restaurants in the North End is Vinoteca di Monica, located on Richmond Street. Tucked away just off Hanover Street, it’s a bit off the beaten track. It is also more spacious than many of the tiny North End restaurants, making it a good option for larger parties. The restaurant offers an extensive wine list, plus beer on tap and a full bar for those who enjoy a cocktail with their meal.
What to order? Some of our go-to’s on the menu include the Calamari Fritti (served with both marinara and a spicy aioli), Caprese Salad (for the most amazing fresh buffalo mozzarella) and homemade Minestrone Soup as starters. For pasta, the Ravioloni di Aragosta is hands down the best lobster ravioli I’ve had in Boston (and I’ve tried a lot of lobster ravioli). I also love the Tajarin con Piselli e Prosciutto (thin ribbons of pasta in a light garlic cream sauce with peas and prosciutto), Gnocchi con Ragú di Salsiccia (their gnocchi is light as air) and Tortellini di Pollo alla Panna, a chicken tortellini with a sage cream sauce. If they have it on the specials menu, the Lobster Fra Diavolo, while pricey, is another favorite. Cap it off with their warm bread pudding with caramel sauce, and I have no doubt you will leave happy!
Best North End Restaurant: Panza
326 Hanover Street
The first restaurant I ever tried in the North End, Panza remains a favorite to this day. One of the more affordable options in the North End, the food is simple and no-frills, but delicious nonetheless. Located right on Hanover Street, with only a little more than a dozen tables, it’s a cozy spot that we especially love to visit in the winter. Be sure to make a reservation, as it does tend to fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Serving beer and wine only, Panza has one of the most affordable wine lists in the North End. Note that they do not serve coffee or desert, but will happily direct you to one of the Italian bakeries nearby if you’re craving a sweet treat.
What to order? Our favorite starters at Panza are the Fried Calamari, which is served Rhode Island style with cherry peppers and onions (it comes with a spicy aioli drizzled across the top, but we usually request to have it served on the side). Their Bruschetta is topped with marinated tomatoes, along with crumbled goat cheese and a balsamic reduction, providing a little twist on the standard. For pasta, I love the Baby Rigatoni & Sausage (though I do sometimes sub mozzarella for the goat cheese) and the Penne with Chicken and Broccoli. Their Chicken Parmesan is a huge portion, and I also recommend the Chicken Panza, which is served with mushrooms, spinach and sun dried tomato in a balsamic marsala sauce (yum!).
Best North End Restaurant: Mare Oyster Bar
3 Mechanic Street
If you’re craving seafood in the North End, many will tell you to go to Neptune Oyster. And while, yes, Neptune is delicious, there is often north of a two-hour wait, and the restaurant is so tiny that you’re often sitting on your neighbor’s lap during your meal. Instead, I recommend Mare Oyster Bar, which is tucked away on Mechanic Street, just off Hanover. If you’re not paying attention, you could easily miss it, as it’s a bit hidden from the main drag. With both an indoor and outdoor space, Mare offers comfortable seating, along with a lounge area and fire pit that is a cozy spot for a cocktail. The restaurant offers a full bar, along with an extensive wine list and beers on tap.
What to order? Mare always has at least a dozen varieties of fresh oysters and a full raw bar. For a starter, try their version of Surf & Turf, which includes braised short rib and pan seared scallops, served on top of truffle mashed potatoes. Mare does offer a lobster roll (which you can order hot with butter or cold with mayo) and lobster lovers will also enjoy the Tagliatelle Con Aragosta, served with fresh lobster and shaved black truffles. The Pan Seared Salmon and the Truffle Crusted Tuna are two of my other favorites.
Best North End Restaurant: Locale
352 Hanover Street
If you’re craving pizza in the North End, Locale is the spot to go. While some will recommend the famous Pizzeria Regina, I say skip the line (and the notoriously gruff wait staff) and head to Locale for wood fired Neapolitan-style pizza. A tiny spot that is open for dinner on weekdays and lunch and dinner on weekends, it’s great for both take-out and to sit in. Serving only beer and wine, they have a fairly limited drink list, but always have at least a few craft beers available and offer a rotating list of wines.
What to order? My standard order is almost always Caesar salad and a Margherita pizza with extra basil. For something a little different, I really like the “Parma Due” with prosciutto, arugula, mission figs and gorgonzola. Other favorites include the “Tartufo” which comes with mushrooms, caramelized onions, fontina, rosemary and truffle oil and the “Polpette” which comes with meatballs, ricotta and pickled chilies.
Best Markets in the North End
Whether you’re looking for an Italian sub, a charcuterie platter or freshly ground coffee beans, the North End is the place to be. My favorite spots to pop into follow below.
Best North End Market: Monica’s Mercato & Salumeria
130 Salem Street
Serving what many say is the best Italian sub in the neighborhood, Monica’s Mercato & Salumeria is a great place to stop into for a sandwich. Located on the corner of Salem Street and Prince, they slice all of their meat and cheese razor-thin to order for every sandwich. In addition to traditional Italian deli meat, they always have freshly grilled steak tips, along with grilled chicken and fried chicken cutlets, which can be served on top of a salad or on a sandwich.
On the other side of the market, you can purchase homemade fresh pasta, including a variety of ravioli and homemade sauce. They also offer a variety of Italian wine, along with bottled beer and soft drinks. They don’t offer seating, but if you wander down Salem Street to the Greenway, there are plenty of benches and picnic tables to sit at while you eat.
Best North End Market: Salumeria Italiana
151 Richmond Street
The Salumeria Italiana, located on Richmond Street, just off of Hanover, is a North End staple. If you’re looking to put together a cheese or charcuterie plate, there is no better place to go. The market offers all different types of imported meats and cheeses, along with an olive bar and many imported Italian grocery items, including olive oil, vinegars and coffee. They always have freshly baked bread in the window, and a variety of hard-to-find cheeses to choose from, including their signature Parmigiano-Reggiano.
The Salumeria does ship items, including cheeses and salami, allowing guests to take a taste of the North End home. While they do not offer seating, the market is located just two blocks from Christopher Columbus Park. I recommend spreading out a picnic blanket to enjoy views of the water while snacking on your provisions.
Best North End Market: Polcari’s Coffee
105 Salem Street
Don’t be fooled by the sign – Polcari’s is not just a coffee shop, but a little market that also serves coffee. Polcari’s first opened its doors in 1932, and has been a staple of the neighborhood ever since. Offering more than 50 varieties of coffee beans (including hard-to-find varieties like pure Hawaiian Kona), the store also sells spices, dried pasta, loose tea, candy, nuts and more (all at great prices). I particularly love the old-fashioned scales that they use to measure out the coffee beans.
The service behind the counter is always wonderful and their recommendations tend to be spot on. Keep in mind, this isn’t the type of place to go if you want a fancy mocha frappuccino with soy milk and extra foam. But if you want a good cup of coffee or espresso, or better yet, some coffee beans to bring home with you, Polcari’s is the spot.
Best Breakfast Spots in the North End
In addition to pasta, the North End also a few spots to pick up a pastry or get some breakfast. My favorite morning hangouts follow below.
Best North End Breakfast Spot: Modern Pastry
257 Hanover Street
One of the only Italian bakeries in the North End that offers a cafe with seating, Modern Pastry is a great place to stop in the morning, or after dinner. A top contender for “Boston’s Best Cannoli,” they fill all cannoli to order with a choice of traditional ricotta, vanilla cream, chocolate cream or whipped cream. They are also known for their lobster tails, plus a plethora of other dessert items, including their famous Italian cookies. If you’re able to score a table, it’s a great spot to get a cappuccino or latte and people watch as you enjoy your pastries.
Best North End Breakfast Spot: Theo’s Cozy Corner
162 Salem Street
When my husband lived in the North End, he lived in two separate apartments in the North End that both happened to overlook Theo’s. He would wake up on Saturday mornings and look out the window to make sure there wasn’t a line before heading over for his favorite breakfast. Something of a connoisseur of Eggs Benedict, he has declared many times over that Theo’s Cozy Corner has the absolute best version of the dish he has ever tried.
While tiny and no-frills, there is a reason why there is almost always a line outside of Theo’s. Not just because it’s one of the few breakfast spots in the neighborhood, but because everything is fresh and made to order. And it’s all delicious. Serving everything from fluffy pancakes, to traditional three-egg omelets, to Acai bowls, you won’t regret stopping by Theo’s Cozy Corner for breakfast when visiting the North End.
Best Shops in the North End
While most known for its restaurants, the North End also has quite a few charming shops and boutiques. It’s a great neighborhood to window shop or stroll around while waiting for your dinner reservation.
Best North End Shop: Shake the Tree
67 Salem Street
Shake the Tree has always been one of my favorite boutiques in the North End, and I make sure to pop in every time I’m over in the neighborhood. The shop is always filled with bright colors, including scarves, picture frames, candles, clothing and accessories. Some of my favorite items to stock up on include stationary from Rifle Paper Co, Bee Raw Honey, Voluspa candles, vases, mugs and other home goods. It’s a great spot for a hostess gift or a new piece of jewelry to treat yourself.
Best North End Shop: Loft & Vine
26 Prince Street
Loft & Vine is a relatively new addition to the North End, specializing in items for kitchen, garden and home. The shop offers many locally-made items, ranging from artwork to candles, caramels, ceramics and more. It also has many North-end themed items, including wine tumblers, tote bags and coasters. They often have a selection of succulents for sale, along with cute pots and planters – perfect for a hostess gift.
Best North End Shop: The Wine Bottega
341 Hanover Street
The Wine Bottega is an all-natural wine shop that offers some of the most original wines I’ve ever tasted. What is natural wine? According to their website, “natural wine is made with clean farming in the vineyard and no chemical intervention in the cellar, as all wine was made for thousands of years: just grapes and time.” You won’t find wines from many household labels here, but the staff is extremely knowledgeable. They make great recommendations, especially as they personally know many of the vineyards and vintners from which they procure their offerings. They offer complimentary wine tastings from 5-8pm on Fridays – a great pre-dinner option.
Best Places to Stay in the North End
Best North End Hotel: The Battery Wharf Hotel
3 Battery Wharf
Located directly on the Boston Harborwalk, The Battery Wharf Hotel offers luxurious waterfront accommodations just steps from the North End. Guests can even skip the Boston traffic and take the water taxi directly to and from Logan Airport. Formerly managed under Fairmont, The Battery Wharf Hotel offers 150 guest rooms with pillowtop mattresses and waterfall shower heads. Hotel guests are given complimentary access the hotel’s observation deck and adjoining Maritime Museum, along with a 24-hour fitness center.
The best part? The hotel is home to one of Boston’s two Exhale Spa & Fitness Centers – Exhale Battery Wharf. Guests receive complimentary access to the spa facilities (including the Turkish hammam), as well as special rates on spa services and fitness classes (including the studio’s signature Core Fusion series, along with yoga, HIIT and cycling).
Best North End Hotel: Marriott Long Wharf
296 State Street
Located near Christopher Columbus Park, the Marriott Long Wharf is a great option when staying in Boston. Located right on the Boston waterfront, the hotel is next door to the New England Aquarium. It is also close walking distance to North End restaurants, as well as Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. The hotel offers an indoor pool, along with a fitness center with Peloton bikes. Recently renovated, all guest rooms have been updated. The hotel offers a restaurant, as well as a nice lounge area with a Starbucks downstairs to grab a morning coffee on the go.
Where are your favorite places in the North End? Let me know in the comments below!
Follow Us!
Categories: Destinations, The North End