The Best Italian Restaurants In Boston
From the North End to the South End and beyond, we have rounded up some of the most consistently delicious places to go for Italian fare. Exquisitely prepared, beautifully presented and instantaneously devoured, here’s a look at our picks for the best Italian restaurants in Boston.
Bricco
Photo Credit: Bricco
Bricco is a top favorite in the North End for modern Italian fare that includes starters like zucchini flowers stuffed with truffled ricotta cheese, artisanal pastas like wild boar braised in red wine served on papardelle and main events like the fontina and pancetta stuffed veal chop or seven spice marinated brick chicken. Just when we thought things couldn’t get any better, they went ahead and opened Bricco Panetteria next door where you can buy a loaf of freshly baked artisan bread to take home and enjoy with your leftovers.
241 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02113; Website
Rino’s Place
Photo Credit: Rino’s Place
You might not expect to find a great Italian restaurant tucked inside a residential neighborhood, but that’s just what Rino’s Place is all about. This no-frills haute spot churns out generous portions and plate after plate of homemade pastas, pillowy gnocchi, melt-in-your-mouth thinly sliced veal parmigiana and “fist sized” ravioli. Standouts include lobster ravioli; classic Bolognese made with pork, veal and beef; and our favorite, the Matriciana made with sauteed pancetta and onions served in a plum tomato cream sauce over a bed of homemade rigatoni.
258 Saratoga Street, East Boston, MA 02128; Website
Assaggio
Photo Credit: Assaggio
The latest newcomer to the DePasquale restaurant roster, Assaggio offers us the chance to dine from the convenience of the North End while feel like you are in Italy’s Amalfi Coast. The Positano cuisine includes Zuppa di Pesce (clams, mussels, calamari and lobster served in a tasty broth), zucchini pasta, “Mama’s homemade” lasagna and veal osso bucco served over saffron risotto.
29 Prince Street, Boston, MA, 02113; Website
Giulia
pPhoto Credit: Giulia
Giulia is mixing up traditional Italian fare in Cambridge’s Porter Square neighborhood. Don’t expect traditional finds on the menu here like chicken parm or gnocchi served in a tangy red sauce. Instead, think goat’s milk ricotta ‘agnolotti del plin’ made with pine nut butter and matsutake; duck confit tortelli with huckleberries, sage, cream and pecorino; and grilled beef rib eye with roasted kale, salsa verde, anchovy, garlic, butter and fresh herbs.
1682 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138; Website
SRV
Photo Credit: SRV
The South End got a little better when SRV (“Serene Republic of Venice”) made its debut here last year. Since then, the Venetian-style Bacaro features “Cicchetti” or small bites (think pork and beef meatballs, soft boiled quail eggs and marinated olives) along with homemade pastas like eggplant tortelli. Try the standout risotto dishes that come in the form of lobster, mushroom or white fish and you won’t be disappointed.
569 Columbus Street, Boston, MA 02118; Website