Italians began arriving in the North End of Boston around the 1860s. The first wave of immigrants came from northern Italy, and later waves of Italians came from southern areas such as Sicily and Campania. 

Lucky for Bostonians, The North End became host to numerous Italian grocery stores, pizzerias, and restaurants. As the decades progressed, friendly competition between restaurateurs transformed Boston's Little Italy into a pasta playground representing all sorts of Italian cuisine. 

From fresh calamari and pan-seared salmon to ragu and bolognese over homemade pappardelle, the North End has something for everyone. Each trattoria and pizzeria has a unique story, and finding a bad dish is nearly impossible. But, choosing which ristorante to visit can be challenging if you've just moved to the Boston area. 

To help you choose your next meal, the team at Prevu Real Estate has compiled this quick guide to the tastiest Italian restaurants in the North End of Boston. 

Best Italian Restaurants in Boston's North End

• Mare Oyster Bar

• Aqua Pazza

• La Famiglia Giorgio's

• Carmelina’s 

• Giacomo’s 

• Monica's Trattoria

• Prezza

• Lucca Restaurant 

• Regina Pizzeria 

Mare Oyster Bar 

As you behold Boston's skyline from Mare's al fresco terrace, it's easy to overlook the hard work that brought the place to life. The restaurant's founder, Frank DePasquale, immigrated from Italy's Amalfi Coast to Boston as a boy. After college, DePasquale opened a neighborhood sandwich shop called Trattoria Il Panino in 1987, but he still had bigger dreams. 

In 2005, DePasquale opened Mare Oyster Bar to promote the Italian lifestyle and bring fine dining to Boston. "Mare" means "sea" in Italian, and the menu lives up to its name. The dishes at Mare combine the art of Italian cuisine with New England's freshest catches. 

While it would take months to try everything, the Mare Shellfish Tower will take your tastebuds on a tour of the Raw Bar Menu. Oysters, clams, shrimp cocktails, chilled lobster, and Alaskan King Crab will satisfy the palate of any seafood aficionado. If you prefer something simpler, try the Linguine & Clams featuring black squid ink pasta with white wine, cherry tomatoes, and roasted garlic.

Address: 223 Hanover St, 3 Mechanic St, Boston, MA 02113

Phone: (617) 723-6273

Aqua Pazza 

Just around the corner from Mare, you'll find Aqua Pazza. The name means "crazy water" in Italian and is derived from a traditional Italian way of poaching fish in saltwater. This method was invented as an affordable way to infuse salt in food at a time in Italian history when salt was expensive. 

DePasquale has 21 restaurant openings under his belt, and teamed up with sommelier and restaurateur Mike Paquette to bring Aqua Pazza to life. Together, the two designed the place to offer fine Italian food in a laid-back atmosphere. 

Like the innovative spirit that the restaurant's name suggests, the menu reworks traditional dishes for a modern audience. With everything from small, shareable plates like Burrata to entrees like the Veal Chop Milanese, visitors can tailor their experience. 

Likewise, the restaurant's drink menu embraces the contemporary with an extensive selection of signature cocktails, cordials, and craft beers. Whether you're looking for filet mignon or chocolate mousse, stop by the corner of Richmond and North Streets for meticulously prepared Italian fare. 

Address: 135 Richmond St, Boston, MA 02109

Phone: (857) 350-3105

La Famiglia Giorgio’s

La Famiglia Giorgio's is a straightforward Italian eatery that aims to recreate the dining experience of an Italian grandmother's kitchen. Indeed, the menu even says, "It's like being at Nonna's."

This ristorante specializes in Roman-style cooking and prides itself on offering oversized portions at affordable prices. All pasta is made in-house, with each meal made to order, and the menu seems endless. So, if you need help choosing, start with a classic like the Bolognese Manicotti or the Chicken Milanese. 

If you're feeling adventurous, you can accept one of the restaurant's four challenges. Each challenge is different, but all require the challenger to devour between three and six pounds of pasta. The prize is a shirt that reads "I ate the plate!" and an ego boost. 

Pasta isn't the only thing you'll find at La Famiglia Giorgio's. With a wine list of over 225 choices and an inventory of over 3,000 bottles, you can try something different every time you stop by. 

Address: 112 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113

Phone: (617) 367-6711

Carmelina's

Damien DiPaola, the founder of Carmelina's, was born in Sicily but spent his childhood on the North Side of Boston. Combining influences from both worlds, DiPaola opened the restaurant in 2012, but his training began long before. 

Carmelina's is named after DiPaola's mother, and most of his recipes come from her cookbook. One exception on the menu is Mimmo's Meatballs, inspired by DiPaola's father's recipe. 

If you need help choosing an entree, the Sunday Macaroni is like a food tour of Chef Damien's childhood. The family style dish combines his mother's penne with his father's meatballs and tops it off with Italian sausage, short rib, red sauce, and whipped Ricotta. 

While the restaurant is steeped in tradition, DiPaola strives to add modern flair to his Italian American cooking. This inventive approach landed Carmelina's on Yelp's 7th Annual Top 100 Places to Eat list in 2020. 

Address: 307 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

Phone: (617) 742-0020

Giacomo's 

The story of Giacomo's is quite different from the others in Boston's North End. Founder Jackie "Giacomo" Taglieri didn't come from Italy or a long line of chefs. On the contrary, Taglieri opened Giacomo's without help after his business partner suddenly backed out. 

Taglieri was an electrician by trade, so he began taking cooking classes and testing his recipes on customers. In the early days, he would stand out front with a menu and invite passersby to stop in for dinner. 

Taglieri's trial and error method paid off, and now there's an impressive line of folks waiting for a table nearly every day. Giacomo's draws huge crowds and doesn’t take reservations and they only accept cash. So, if you're heading there for dinner, come prepared for long lines (and unexpected weather) and don’t forget to stop at an ATM. 

While you can't go wrong with staples like chicken parmigiana or veal marsala, the restaurant excels in mussels, clams, lobster, and other frutti di mare. Almost all the seafood and fresh pasta dishes allow you to choose your sauce, but the Giacomo sauce is a must-try. This signature sauce is a Lobster-based red sauce with a dash of Béchamel Cream that perfectly accompanies the menu's linguine dishes. 

Address: 355 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

Phone: (617) 523-9026

Monica's Trattoria 

Brothers Frank, Jorge, and Patrick Mendoza opened Monica's Trattoria in 1995 when Pat had the chance to buy a small space at the corner of Prince and Salem Street. The brothers are from Argentina but learned the art of Italian cuisine from their mother, Monica, who grew up in northern Italy. 

Monica's original recipes inspire each dish on the menu, from chicken parm to tiramisu. Before she passed away, Monica spent as much time at the restaurant as her three sons, and customers can still find her pictures on the walls. 

The brother’s success with Monica's Trattoria is a shining example of the American dream. Through hard work and dedication, the brothers have built a small empire in Boston's North End which consists of Monica's Trattoria, Monica's Mercato & Salumeria, and Vinoteca di Monica. 

When you come for dinner, be sure to try the Tajarin con Tartufi Nero, featuring thin cut pasta ribbons, herb butter, a splash of cream, and shaved black truffles. For something more hearty, try the chef's special Punte di Bistecca, consisting of marinated steak tips served with homemade gnocchi in gorgonzola cream sauce. 

Address: 67 Prince St, Boston, MA 02113

Phone: (617) 720-5472

Prezza

Prezza claims to be so authentic that customers can skip a trip to Europe by simply having a meal at 24 Fleet Street. Like many Italian restaurants in Boston's North End, the cuisine pays homage to the owner's family Heritage.

Anthony Caturano's grandmother came from the village of Prezza in central Italy, and many recipes are inspired by the town's culinary style. 

One thing that sets Prezza apart is Caturano's daily involvement in the restaurant. Though he owns four restaurants in Boston, he spends most of his time at Prezza as the head chef. 

The menu is extensive, so if you don't know where to start, try Chef Caturano's favorite menu item, the Crispy Pork Chop. Cooked to perfection in vinegar, roasted onions, and potatoes, this pork chop dish reflects the inland ingredients of the Italian town of Prezza. 

Another menu section worth exploring is titled "From The Wood Fired Grill." Whether you're digging into the grilled tuna steak or the 16 oz bone-in sirloin, the smokey flavor of an authentic flame is bound to please. 

Address: 24 Fleet St, Boston, MA 02113

Phone: (617) 227-1577

Lucca Restaurant

In 2000, brothers Sean and Matthew Williams opened Lucca at 226 Hanover Street. The restaurant is named after the city of Lucca in Tuscany, Italy, situated between Florence and the Mediterranean Sea. As such, Lucca offers Tuscan classics like wild boar ragu and veal osso buco, as well as seaside favorites like fried calamari and lobster bisque. 

Executive Chef Yoni Alcantara draws inspiration from trips to Italy to ensure authenticity in the recipes. Chef Alcantara has developed close relationships with New England farmers and fishermen to support the community and make sure Lucca uses fresh ingredients. Try the Pan-Seared Bay of Fundy Salmon or the Giannone Farms Statler Chicken to see how Lucca brings an Italian twist to local ingredients. 

It's more than Lucca's food that draws a crowd. The restaurant's interior features centuries-old granite walls and floors imported from Italy. Stained glass windows complement the granite to create a sophisticated gathering space. With four elegant function rooms and seven private dining rooms, Lucca is perfect for hosting special events. Finally, an authentic mahogany bar serves as the gateway to a selection of nearly 500 wines from Italy and California.

Address: 226 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

Phone: (617)742-9200

Regina Pizzeria

Regina Pizzeria was founded in 1926 by an immigrant named Luigi D'Auria from the province of Avellino, Italy. Regina now holds the title of Boston's oldest continuously operating Pizzeria, truly living up to its name, which means "Queen Pizza" in Italian. 

Regina Pizzeria touts its Neapolitan style pizza crust made from a secret recipe passed down for 80 years through the Polcari family. Their dough has always been perfectly aged using natural yeast. The Pizzeria proudly uses tomatoes grown explicitly for their pizzas, homemade sausage from a family recipe, and mozzarella made specifically for their pies. 

One of their standout creations is The Giambotta, featuring a combination of pepperoni, Polcari sausage, salami, mushrooms, peppers, onions, fresh basil, and mozzarella, all atop their homemade dough. This brick oven pizza is the best way to experience the homegrown flavors and attention to detail that characterizes Regina Pizzeria. 

Address: 11 1/2 Thacher St, Boston, MA 02113

Phone: (617)227-0765