Haute Top 5: Best Italian Restaurants in Boston in 2017

Crisp pizzas, pillowy handmade pastas and a zucchini lasagna you won't believe doesn't contain pasta are just a few standout dishes here. The Pallotta sisters have been dishing out their famous homemade meatballs, prosciutto and fig pizzas, slow cooked Bolognese and veal Milanese at NEBO for more than a decade to devotees and after just one visit, you will understand why. Their zucchini lasagna has bragging rights of its own--it was the winning dish in Bobby Flay's Throwdown.

Chic, swanky and oh-so-haute, Sorelina took Boston's Italian scene by storm when it opened in Copley Square. Go for the fazzoletti with wild boar ragu, sage pasta, and golden raisin-pinenut gremolata; or the incredible veal saltimbocca with prosciutto, maitake mushrooms and truffle whipped potatoes. We also recommend their not-so-traditional version of spaghetti filled with prawns, chili, guanciale served in a spicy tomato brodo.

This Bay Village neighborhood restaurant churns out everything from simply prepared bowls of al dente fusilli with burrata, tomatoes, and basil to the more elaborate melt-in-your-mouth tortelloni stuffed with herb ricotta and braised greens floating in a broth of foraged mushrooms and parsley with aged parmesan and grated black truffle. This cozy restaurant just steps from the Park Plaza Hotel is one of Boston's best kept secrets, so don't do Bostonians a disservice by telling too many people about this diamond.

Not all great Italian fare comes in the form of red sauce dishes. Just ask the folks over at Davio's in Back Bay. This northern Italian gem churns out haute favorites like chicken parmesan spring rolls, hand-rolled potato gnocchi and grilled Spanish octopus to get your appetite started right. If you are looking to fuel up on carbs (the Marathon is next month), don't miss the tagliatelle Bolognese made with braised veal, beef and pork or go all out with a 24-ounce aged bone-in ribeye and side of mac and cheese topped with decadent white truffle oil.

Our haute top five list would be remiss without including one standout in Boston's North End section where Italian fare became famous. With so many great restaurants lining Hanover Street and beyond, it was difficult to choose just one, but the standout here goes to Giacamo's. Simplistic, classic Italian fare is sometimes just what you need and exactly what this popular cash-only restaurant delivers. Try the fettuccine tossed with prosciutto and peas; the garlicky lobster ravioli or the chicken, broccoli and ziti served up in a rich cream sauce.