Any reason for a Bostonian to go to the North End?

Submitted by theurbanmapper t3_1240c9i in boston

I feel like every time I walk around the North End, I get the feeling everything is touristy over priced places serving mediocre Italian American food. There are a few really fancy places that I can’t afford, and I’m always happy to get cannoli. And there are a few non Italian ethnic places that are like in every other Boston neighborhood. Are there places I’m overlooking?

Edit: Ok, I was feeling snarky a bit when I posted this for sure. And my title doesn’t make this clear at all, but I was wondering if there are good Italian sit down restaurants that aren’t touristy over priced fare. Which there are a lot of good responses here! And I couldn’t agree more about the architecture and ambiance. I just want to find actually nice places to eat a family sit down meal that doesn’t feel like I’m out with my grandparents in 1989.

For example, are there any places in the north end that makes a good margarita pizza? There are many in Boston, I’ll go to Area Four or Capo or Coppa, but I wouldn’t feel particularly confident ordering such in the North End. Which sucks, because the ambiance is just so awesome. Chinatown has mediocre mid-century places, but it also has authentic and/or innovative places. Those exist in Boston, but are any in the North End?

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Brehe t1_jdx8dkg wrote

Walking around the north end during a summer afternoon like a random Wednesday at 1pm is especially nice. Avoid the weekends.

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boat_against_current t1_jdxe0kk wrote

Hit up Galleria Umberto on a weekday (to avoid crowds) for some cheap Sicilian pizza, calzones, or arancini. Buon appetito!

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potus1001 t1_jdxh08n wrote

Even on the weekdays, I would recommend getting there right when it opens at 11A, before the line starts forming. Otherwise, you’ll be waiting in line 20-30 minutes, just to order.

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LilibetSeven t1_jdx7krt wrote

I mean Monica’s is probably the best sandwich I’ve ever eaten, I love Dinos take out, I frequently buy bread from Bovas, and that’s all on one street corner

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paxmomma t1_jdxx71o wrote

Bricco salumeria has the best sandwiches

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[deleted] t1_jdzm1mh wrote

Maybe a personal thing, but I think the bread they use detracts from an otherwise great sandwich. It's too hard, so when you bite in everything gets pushed out. This is a critical L for something like an Italian or meatball sub especially.

Otherwise, I agree that the contents are excellent and they are fairly priced given the portion size and location.

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customdemo t1_jdzu93o wrote

Never ate there, but I have had this problem with sandwiches, including slightly chewed up gums from them. Avoid sandwiches on baguette in the US.

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eiviitsi t1_jdzla2n wrote

And hit up the underground bakery while you're there!

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man2010 t1_jdxbk19 wrote

It's walkable to downtown and the waterfront with a huge concentration of restaurants and other shops. If you don't care for it no one is forcing you to go there, but it's silly to act as if it's only for tourists.

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cocktailvirgin t1_jdx7lcv wrote

Stanza dei Sigari is the best cigar bar in the area.

Before other liquor stores caught up, V. Cirace & Sons was one of the few places to get obscure cocktail ingredients. They still get amaro that other stores have never even heard of, but for the ones found elsewhere, the price is a touch high.

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__plankton__ t1_jdzsaf0 wrote

It’s the only cigar bar in the area lol

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cocktailvirgin t1_je05pia wrote

The Boston Cigar Club in Charlestown is on the other side of the Zakim from the North End.

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__plankton__ t1_je0bvl0 wrote

Fair. I often forget Charlestown exists to be honest. It’s the only one downtown on that side of the river I’m aware of.

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bestcasescenario999 t1_jdygu1z wrote

I don't think there are many other neighborhoods in the city where there's more than one place to get a loaf of fresh baked bread from a place that isn't part of a chain which is pretty cool. Just walking around the side streets is a different vibe than the rest of the city and most cities in the US. Parla also rocks.

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WitnessEntire t1_jdxl68j wrote

I’d go there for raw ingredients. The salumerias are really good, as are the bakeries and wine shops. Alba produce has amazing produce. Like really, really good. For non Italian, Tenoch Mexican is really good. There are a couple of good restaurants but I don’t really eat out here (or anywhere).

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scootzbeast t1_jdzvkbj wrote

Speaking of raw ingredients I never see anyone mention Sulmona meat market owned by a family from Sulmona Italy it is a great butcher with decent prices and probably the oldest chopping block I have ever seen. They also provide meat to all of the north ends returaunts.

Polcari's Coffee is also a nice place to pick up spices and good coffee.

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Peaches4Puppies t1_jdx87vz wrote

I like the sandwiches at Monica's Mercado but otherwise I agree. I'm not originally from Boston but I was very surprised at how mediocre most of the Italian places are. You're right it is a tourist trap a bit at this point.

Otherwise in the summer it's a fun place to check out when things like the feasts or other events are going on.

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fullmetaljacob t1_jdxrcku wrote

I like Giacomos and Neptunes and I have impeccable taste. I won’t be taking questions.

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CookiePneumonia t1_jdy9evx wrote

I agree with your impeccable taste. Neptune has the best lobster rolls in Boston.

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Consistent_Syrup_235 t1_jdy0w5v wrote

I'm a huge fan of Parziale's (around the corner from Bova). Really good bread, cookies, and fantastic Sicilian pizza.

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bostonbonanza t1_jdxq92o wrote

I lived in the north end for a couple years. It's charming on weeknights in the winter when you can waltz into any restaurant. My favorite restaurants were Benevento's and Vinoteca di Monica.

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dapooopman t1_jdyciyf wrote

it’s nice when it isn’t packed but i’d just assume go to medford for italian food

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meatcrunch t1_jdyj5uz wrote

Suasday Sandwich Co.

Cannot recommend enough. Its a newer Cambodian dine in/take out right on Hanover. I went last month and its 4.9 on google is an understatement! Their egg rolls are amazing and their sandwiches are 👌👌👌.

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hostessdonettes t1_je05y14 wrote

No issue with the question, but I kinda feel like the detraction in the replies is missing the point - the North End IS by and large the kind of place you'd have gone out with your grandparents in 1989. I don't really think that makes it a tourist trap in itself - if you're hearing it's the best place for Italian food ever, then sure, but really it's just a long time Italian American neighborhood where the vast majority of restaurants serve classic Italian American red sauce food. I love that kind of food, but I don't think it's too controversial to say you can only elevate it so high.

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Natures-Ride t1_jdym8qq wrote

Ernesto’s for margarita pizza. Not a luxury sit down place at all though. IMO the best foods I’ve had are always holes in the wall.

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capecodder22 t1_jdynv7a wrote

Ernesto's is all you need, everything else is just extra

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husky5050 t1_jdx8tpj wrote

You can shop at the Coast Guard Exchange if you are active, retired or reserve military personnel.

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Straight_Attention78 t1_jdy237t wrote

It can be hit or miss but there’s some really great restaurants and bakeries if you can sift through the tourist traps. Also pretty entertaining for people watching but Hanover can erupt into a shitshow pretty quickly on the weekends.

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theurbanmapper OP t1_jdy505i wrote

Any restaurant recommendations?

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Straight_Attention78 t1_jdy5ukq wrote

Giacomos (cash only and first come first serve) and la familia Giorgio’s are probably my two favs. Carmelinas is pretty good as well. For drinks I love love Parla. I wouldn’t go for a nice dinner, but Parla has this awesome dungeon crawler cocktail menu where you roll a die and they bring you special surprise drinks and you fill out a loyalty card. Can get expensive, but the drinks are great and it’s a fun little experience.

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theurbanmapper OP t1_jdy5yoy wrote

Ooooooh. Parla sounds awesome, just maybe not with my second grader! A different outing.

But we went to Famiglia Giorgio’s tonight and I have to say, eh? It was fine? Not trying to knock you - I’m thrilled if you like it. But it was exactly what I’m thinking the North End has: big plates of mediocre Italian food. Like fancyish food from the eighties everywhere. Maybe just not my cup of tea.

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Straight_Attention78 t1_jdy7g2d wrote

Ah, no worries. It also depends on what you get I suppose. Haven’t been there in over a year, so maybe quality has gone down? Usually liked their chicken parm and calamari. Also their portions can be more family style, which I agree, is sort of annoying.

Def not second grader vibes at Parla. Unless they’re helping to carry you out the door 😂

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yulen1776 t1_jdy2zzl wrote

Walk around the small side streets. There’s great architecture and a lot of history. Then get a cocktail at the Corner Cafe.

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Wilforks t1_jdya7n2 wrote

Spaghetti, cannoli, improv comedy, lobster roll

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agecanonix26 t1_jdybyk0 wrote

Florentine cannoli at Mike’s Pastry. The one and only thing worth braving the crowds and the lines. Worth the hassle.

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Sure-Bullfrog-8362 t1_jdypsln wrote

Bovas and Dinos! Right across from each other.

Avoid Carmelinas.

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cocktailvirgin t1_je6g7ic wrote

Dino's is great for no nonsense service (it's counter ordering) and excellent food. My wife used to live in the North End and she introduced me to it, otherwise it's a place that would go unnoticed.

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devAcc123 t1_jdyvpt0 wrote

North end fish market has the best salmon sushi deal in town

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ohhgrrl t1_jdxv69c wrote

Bova Bakery

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Sayoria t1_jdyg8zo wrote

It's a great place to hear restaurant owners bitch about outdoor dining, or the lack thereof.

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Kat-2793 t1_jdzkil1 wrote

I’ve lived here 8 years. Best pizza is locale, hands down. Rinas has amazing classic pepperoni or cheese slices. Parziales Bakery has the best Sicilian style pizza. Order a single slice or a whole pan, it’s so underrated. I feel like I typically avoid tourist traps, and none of these are ever too busy.

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WitnessEntire t1_jdzto5p wrote

Lived in the North End for 20 years and Locale is the only restaurant I go to or order from,

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Kat-2793 t1_jdzyfyi wrote

The new ice cream shop on Salem is pretty good too. I think it’s the same owner as lulus.

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sem056 t1_jdzugk1 wrote

Pagiluca’s or Tony and Elaine’s - still have things like “house wine” - really no frills dining - affordable good food

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Practical-Nerve8656 t1_je01fll wrote

La Summa is a great side-street restaurant that serves incredible Sicilian/Italian food. My family is Italian-American and the restaurant is Italian-American family owned. My family has been going there for years - definitely not a tourist trap and is affordable compared to many other places in the city and even area.

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PrettyTogether108 t1_je0dm1l wrote

I miss the original Piccolo Venezia. There's really been no place like it since they moved from Salem St. I like Locale for pizza. Neptune is still amazing but only if you're in the mood to wait in line. These days I go more for shopping, believe it or not. It's one of the few neighborhoods that have independently-owned shops like Shake the Tree, Loft + Vine, the hat store that I forgot the name of, is the vintage shop on Salem St still open? And there's a really nice bookstore.

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NewEng12 t1_je21wiz wrote

I just go to have a coffee in Vittoria

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MRSHELBYPLZ t1_je23e1s wrote

Good food everywhere. Don’t go there at peak times though. The place is always slammed with tourists and cars

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RandomTraveler281 t1_je7km1c wrote

Daily Catch is great as well as Carmelina's and Dino's.

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michael_scarn_21 t1_jdxdniu wrote

It is mediocre and a tourist trap. I laugh when people try to tell me it's a foodie destination or that it's "like Europe". Just no.

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ucbal t1_jdxgnzf wrote

It is as “like Europe” as any place in the US and there are many ridiculously cheesy touristy cities in Europe these days. The North End is great, you just have to know which spots to hit up.

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burngreene t1_jdxpee1 wrote

Any in particular you recommend? Esp for dinner?

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ucbal t1_jdy7ca0 wrote

Table (and Table Mercado next door), Neptune Oyster, Regina's, Mamma Maria are all excellent.

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