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    Aqua Pazza

    4.6 (322 reviews)
    PriceyItalian, Seafood
    Closed Closed

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    AQUA PAZZA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Romantic

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    Risotto of the Day
    Alex F.

    RISOTTO!! I had a reservation on a weekend night, and while the restaurant is quite small- making it tricky for guests to move around if they weren't happy with their table or bar seat- the intimate setting added to its charm. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful with recommendations. For starters, I tried the Tuna Crudo. While the portion was disappointingly small for the price, the flavors were bold and well-balanced, making every bite count. For one of my entrée, I went with the Braised Beef Short Ribs, which were incredibly tender and packed with rich, savory flavor. However, I should've taken my server's advice and swapped the polenta for mashed potatoes- the polenta was too watery and lacked depth. The highlight of the meal, without a doubt, was the Risotto of the Day: a pumpkin risotto with shrimp. It was nothing short of phenomenal. The rice was perfectly cooked, the pumpkin added a subtle sweetness without being overpowering, and the shrimp melted in my mouth. It leaned on the richer side, and while my stomach was waving the white flag, my heart simply couldn't stop. Even though the risotto selection changes, I can't imagine it ever being a letdown. If you dine here, do yourself a favor and order the risotto- it's easily in my top three favorites of all time.

    Seafood risotto
    Masmin P.

    Cosy dining space in the north end with upscale modern sensibilities. Both our server and host took care of us well, with a nice birthday surprise in the form of a deconstructed tiramisu. Food was delicious- the seafood risotto, beef short rib over creamy polenta, and eggplant parm app were great.

    Gigi G.

    As a vegetarian, there weren't too many dishes for me to try. However, the ones that I did saved this review. I ordered the pesto pasta and it was amazing. I think about it a lot. The ambiance was very fancy and it really felt like fine dining. The view from the window felt like a movie. One day when I return to Boston, I will make sure to stop by.

    Zucchini Flowers & Chips
    Pareesa M.

    WOW! I have to say, Aqua Pazza did not fail to impress with their espresso martinis. This is a MUST get if you like coffee. The martini is well-blended, and has a chocolate rim that is a delicious addition. I also enjoyed the zucchini flowers and lobster pillows - both of which were also amazing. This is a cozy spot for a nice dinner for an event, a special someone, or a celebration with friends.

    Homemade Spaghetti Vongole
    Cindy C.

    Really enjoyed Aqua Pazza the first time I came here, easily would have been 5 stars. However, the second time really tarnished my overall experience here, and because of that visit, I won't be back here again. First time here: Great service, most likely because we were one of the few tables here. Drinks were tasty yet strong. Food was so beyond amazing, and the complimentary bread came out piping hot with a delicious side of pesto. Calamari and the homemade spaghetti vongole was cooked to perfection. Everything was so great, that we decided we wanted to bring the rest of our family here. Now onto the second time.... HORRIBLE service from the get-go. Reservations were made in advance but pointless. We had to wait 40 minutes after our reservation time in order to finally get a table, and they brought us to a tiny table they insisted we must squish in. Bread was cold and hard like a rock. Felt like they took it out of the fridge and served it to us. When we asked about it, they said they didn't have time to warm it up. Shouldn't quality be the same every time regardless of when you dine at a restaurant? The food was quite average this time. It seems that they sacrifice on quality when there's a higher demand for quantity. So if you are planning to dine here, I'd recommend choosing a day when they're not busy.

    Kirsten B.

    Small space and very intimate so would definitely recommend making a reservation for a table over sitting at the bar. Had some great oysters there and the pasta was excellent

    Birthday wishes.
    Bill L.

    Finally! A place in Boston we all loved! This small quaint location seats about 50. Reservation is highly recommended. It's bright and clean inside. The service was outstanding. Our server "Willy" was attentive. He heard us talking about my sisters birthday and made sure to bring out a special plate that said happy birthday with a candle. He even sang with the other server to her. It was wonderful! The zucchini flowers were outstanding! I would return just for those. The manicotti was as advertised. Delicious. The seafood risotto was very good. It had a little more bit than I like but in the range of what's expected. The spaghetti was very good with the meatballs being great! The lobster pillows had some really nice claw chunks of lobster throughout and it was very tasty. It was a reasonable walk from Marriott Custom House as well. I highly recommend.

    Espresso Martini
    Anita L.

    Came here for Christmas dinner and was let down by the service. Our appetizers were good, but the shrimp cocktail on the seafood menu was apparently one shrimp for $10.99? Insanity. Our server was not around a lot and we also noticed he did not tell us any specials unlike the other servers. My espresso martini also came spilled with the glass stem dirty and sticky. The food was okay. We asked for the gnocchi to be split between us, and it was a very generous portion even as half. It tasted like a loaded potato soup to me, so it was very rich and thick. The wagyu burger was okay - we were not asked for doneness so it came well done. The veal chop Milanese was fine but probably won't order it next time. It needed a little more salt. The insalata mista was very tasty and refreshing. The key lime pie was tart and sweet. We saw the tableside tiramisu which looked fun but we already felt the food was pretty richec and wanted something tart. The view is nice since it's on the corner but with so many restaurants in the North End, I'm not sure I'll return any time soon.

    Kristen S.

    Came here after Christmas Mass. From the drinks to the salad to the entree and even dessert, everything was perfect! Had the octopus, burrata salad, short rib (insane!!), halibut, gnocchi and chocolate mousse! Service was great and the manager was personable and was a great person to talk to regarding food in the city! Thank you for a perfect Christmas dinner!

    rachel m.

    Celebrated here with friends and it was a lovely experience! A cozy dining room, bar and raw bar. The staff were attentive and friendly. Food was delicious, as well as the cocktails. The snowfall outside made the night all the more magical. 10/10 - highly recommend!

    Eggplant Parmigiana

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    8 years ago

    Amazing experience! Beautiful culinary dishes, gluten friendly and absolutely wonderful service. Highly recommend!!!!

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    9 years ago

    The service was slow but the food was good. Very nice presentation and flavorful. The drinks can be improved.

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    6 years ago

    Aqua Pazza makes your dining experience memorable! The service was unmatched and the food was delicious. This place is a gem!

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    7 years ago

    Food was delicious! Staff was amazing and attentive! Adorable place. Great location and ambiance. Highly recommended.

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    9 years ago

    Amazing atmosphere and the service is wonderful. I loved the food - you can't go wrong with this beautiful place.

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    Gigi

    Gigi

    4.3
    (250 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    oh. em. gee. best pasta i've ever had in my life…read more i was looking online for an italian restaurant and this came up multiple times. first off, the interior is gorgeous, plush green seats and antique style. we ordered their special items of the night: lobster risotto and the vodka veal. genuinely the best risotto i've ever had. the people online were not lying when they said their vodka rigatoni was the best. it was indeed very very delicious. even though all of us were full from the pasta, we still had to get tiramisu. it was a perfect way to end the meal. our server was great and attentive, thank you for a wonderful meal.

    7/5/26: I stopped by Gigi for lunch around 1 PM on a Sunday, and surprisingly the restaurant was…read morealmost empty. My guess is that this is more of an evening destination where people come for cocktails and the atmosphere rather than lunch. We ordered a Diet Coke, the Scampi appetizer, Carbonara, and the Rigatoni Alla Vodka. The scampi was easily the best part of the meal. It was flavorful, cooked well, and made for a nice appetizer to start things off. Unfortunately, the pastas didn't quite meet expectations, especially considering the price. The Rigatoni Alla Vodka was $28, but the pasta wasn't cooked al dente and felt overdone. The Carbonara, also $28, was disappointing as the eggs had curdled and the dish ended up being much oilier than I expected. At $18, the scampi was enjoyable, but overall I don't think the food justified the price point. One bright spot was the service. Our waitress was incredibly kind, checked in on us frequently, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. The restaurant itself is beautiful and has a very aesthetic design. I can definitely see why it's popular on social media. There is also outdoor seating, which I imagine would be a nice option on a warm summer evening. One thing I did notice, though, is how closely the tables are spaced together. Since the restaurant was mostly empty during our visit it wasn't an issue, but I could see it feeling crowded and fairly loud once the dining room fills up. I was honestly surprised by the meal because Gigi is part of the Mazi Restaurant Group, and I've really enjoyed some of their other concepts, especially Kava Neo-Taverna. Based on this experience, though, I think there are plenty of Italian restaurants in Boston that offer better food and better value for the same price. Overall, I'd give Gigi 3/5 stars. The service and atmosphere were both strong, but the food didn't live up to the pricing. If I came back, it would probably be for drinks, appetizers, and the ambiance rather than a full Italian dinner.

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    Inside/Decor
    Inside/Decor
    Burrata 10/10
    Burrata 10/10
    Elderflower spritz

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    Elderflower spritz
    Piattini

    Piattini

    4.0
    (1.2k reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$$

    I called the restaurant shortly before 1PM on a Wednesday to see if they had any open tables for a…read moresolo diner. As it turns out, they had plenty of open tables and I opted to sit outside on a whim since it was sunny and gorgeous out. I ordered the Clelia's Penne and a glass of the Hess Chardonnay. The chicken was browned beautifully, pasta was cooked perfectly, the micro greens and squash also brightened up the dish. And when ordering this, it doesn't hurt to top it with some more cheese! Don't be fooled by size of the serving plate, the look is light & delicate - but I was seriously stuffed after this lunch special. I had just enough room for a light dessert. So I asked for a single scoop of the mango gelato. I saw people a few tables down getting as many as 3 scoops, perhaps I'll follow suit the next time I'm visiting Boston. I came for lunch, but if I'm ever in the area again - I'd seriously consider ordering their truffle ravioli for dinner.

    every once in a awhile, i give a place a chance to redeem themselves. unfortunately, i won't be in…read morea rush back here again. not terrible, not great, but great views outside and gorgeous interior. i come for the food primarily though. it was a beautiful day on Newbury street and i wanted to get a little bite to eat while eating outside on a gorgeous summer day. sabrina was extremely nice & checked in often before my meal and once after, but i was waiting for awhile for the check. i forgot my wallet but they have apple pay! i didn't receive the check, i was told it was $59 which seemed a bit high, but i paid it and 25% tip, but when i went in and had to ask for a receipt. while walking back to my car in a rush, i felt ripped off like a tourist when i saw the receipt. i ordered a chicken pesto sandwich with a side caesar salad, and had asked if they had half portions of pasta to try. she said yes and i asked which of two options she would choose, and she suggested the chicken, ziti & broccoli. i figured a half portion would be half price, or at least less than the full size. i was overcharged for the half pasta with chicken and broccoli costing additional fees to $27, when the full size is $19. i did call a few hours later and spoke with the assistant manager, melissa, regarding my experience. she said it was not rung in the correct way and i did receive a refund for the overcharge & inconvenience, and she handled it very well. she said they take customer complaints very seriously and was happy to help address the issue quickly on a busy friday night. the chicken, ziti, broccoli was creamier than expected and has fresh homemade fusilli, covered in cheese & good amount of chicken but it could use a bit extra flavor. i liked it, but i would have preferred more olive oil than cream, topped with fresh parmesan & cracked black pepper. the chicken pesto sandwich is solid, on delicious focaccia but would be better with some basil, spinach or arugula. the caesar salad had a bunch of white lettuce & ends, and i completely forgot about the cyclospora outbreak but it's fine because i didn't get sick here. sabrina was happy to provide fresh parmesan & cracked pepper. chicken ziti broccoli 6.8/10 chicken pesto sandwich 8.2/10 side caesar salad 4/10 berry mocktail 8.2/10 overall, this place is beautiful, the vibes inside and out are there, but i'm always wishing the food was a bit better for a newbury street restaurant. ambiance: 5/5 food: 3.6/5 drinks: 4.6/5 service: 4.8/5 piattini: 3.5/5 (docked point for overcharge, happy it was fixed but still inconvenient. what if i hadn't asked for the check that wasn't offered?)

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    Inside
    Inside
    Tuna Crudo
    Tuna Crudo
    Raffaela's Tiramisu (~$12)

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    Raffaela's Tiramisu (~$12)
    Mida

    Mida

    4.3
    (60 reviews)
    2.8 mi

    Wow! This kitchen is on fire! We were happy to find Mida open on the 4th of July! We were in Boston…read morefor a week and had some excellent food and this was our favorite restaurant of the trip. The service was amazing from the kitchen. We had a food party and shared all items. Pizza, fritto misto, braised beef on cauliflower puree ( no picture it was so good I forgot) Caesar salad and meatballs (also forgot to shoot a picture). Food was absolutely amazing. One note that I would normally score down on service when I order a drink before dinner I should at least get the drink and be able to consume it before all the food comes! Mida missed an opportunity here in timing the food and lost some liquor sales as a result. We gave this feedback to our server. Food was totally worth it and the vibe of the space was nice. Thanks Mida for a greata meala!

    Moody, classy interior that's perfect for a night out !…read more Spacious with plenty of seating (had no trouble making a last minute reservation) and great service all-around. Ordered the sausage pizza and mushroom pappardelle. 10/10 pizza--crispy crust with spicy peppers that balance out the sausages. Not to mention, most of the pizzas had reasonable prices for this area. Pasta was very mild (great if you're looking for a 'butter noodle' vibe) but personally wish it had more flavor. Highly recommend overall and would be a great choice for groups !

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    Inside
    Inside
    Sausage pizza +  Mushroom pappardelle
    Sausage pizza + Mushroom pappardelle
    Inside

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    Inside
    SRV Boston

    SRV Boston

    4.4
    (653 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$$

    I will always support SRV... currently the best Italian restaurant I've had in Boston. Specializing…read morein Venetian cuisine. Focaccia: What an amazing focaccia!! The bread had large air pockets, visibly soft, with a rich aroma of salt and milk; the olive oil was smooth and mellow, with a full-bodied fragrance, and the aftertaste even included a subtle, restrained hint of tea. Even knowing it's a calorie bomb, I couldn't resist dipping it in more. Baccala Mantecato: Classic Venetian flavor. The salted cod was tender and delicate, almost like a light foam, somewhere between raw silk and mousse; the dark bread was simple yet not coarse, perfectly balancing the saltiness of the cod. The most surprising thing was the refreshing aroma of celery leaves that emerged in the aftertaste, lingering and persistent. Lumache: When looking at the menu, seeing "chili butter, Jonah crab, breadcrumb," I never expected such a distinct citric acidity. The subtle acidity was gently enveloped in the fatty aroma of chili butter, perfectly complementing the umami and sweetness of the crab meat with just the right amount of spiciness. The lumache were firm and chewy, the sauce rich and smooth, and the breadcrumbs light and crisp, creating a rich and distinct texture. The portion was generous; even after microwaved the next day, the sauce had naturally broken down and the lemon's tartness had dissipated, but the noodles mixed with chili oil still had a unique flavor. Tiramisu: Highly renowned, and the staff were quite confident. The surface was covered with a thick layer of crispy cocoa nibs, the cake itself is incredibly soft and moist, and digging inside reveals an "underground river" of coffee liquid, while its bitterness was perfectly balanced by the sweet Marsala. The overall flavor was sweet and mellow, less bitter than typical tiramisu, with more layers of complexity. Actually, I was hoping for a slightly bitter version. Even on a weekday, it was packed with customers; by 5:10 PM, only one bar seat was left. Reservations are highly recommended. However, the bar was in a good location, with the bartenders being the easiest servers to find. It was a pleasant conversation with them.

    Pros: The prices are a lot more reasonable than most places in Boston, portions on the main courses…read moreare big (enough to take leftover). The service is so friendly and seamless which in itself makes for a lovely evening. Highlights were the mussels, which were very fresh and delicious. The service here was attentive with the waiters offering more bread for the mussels. Most dishes are a little spicy, so if you don't like spice, make sure to note that with the waiter. The miso gelato is one of the most delicious savory/sweet desserts, and has lots of nice crunchy accents of the sesame crumble. Cocktails are fabulous, very smooth, as well as the mocktails. Cons: The crostini was nothing really special, and one of them came without the oyster butter. The meatballs, which were tasty but had a slightly hard texture on the outside. The prawn risotto was pretty one-note in flavor, and the prawn heads tasted overcooked and slightly off. The radiatore was spicy and nicely plated. The Cremoso al Cioccolato had a strange flavor profile that didn't quite fit, and had such a large salted chocolate-truffle section that we did not finish it (which is saying something)! Overall, if you are looking for a solid dinner in Boston that will guarantee be a nice experience because of the atmosphere, this is a good place.

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    Bar Interior
    Bar Interior
    Stuffed fired zucchini flower
    Stuffed fired zucchini flower
    Outdoor

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    Outdoor
    MIDA

    MIDA

    4.2
    (709 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    I would give Mida 3.5 stars if I could. I enjoyed the ambiance especially for a dinner out with my…read morefriends. Our waitress definitely impacted my experience. I'm not sure if she was new, but the overall interaction seemed awkward and as if she didn't want to be bothered. I really enjoyed the sorrento spritz, which was surprising because I typically don't like grapefruit flavor. The drink was very refreshing and I also appreciate paying only $6 for a mocktail (places tend to overcharge). My favorite appetizer was the arancini. It was fried well and flavorful. The caesar salad was also great. The calamari were okay, but nothing special and they he focaccia was tasty, but I wish it was a little softer. For my entree I ordered the cacio e pepe gnocchi, which was also just okay in my opinion. I was looking for a bolder flavor, but unfortunately I didn't get that.

    Listen! Baby! This place had me and my husband going through our photo files trying to remember…read morewhat city we were in! This place from start to finish did not disappoint! The burrata was so fresh and delicious with the perfect amount of crunch with the pine nuts! I loved the crostinis so much they brought us more-- the pesto is AMAZING and if you love the fresh taste of olive oil and pine nuts, yum! We ordered the short braised rib lasagna and my husband had the toasted chicken. Both impeccable but mine was better! They made our night by bringing me a deconstructed version of tiramisu which was also delicious and the espresso was poured over it and so warm and fresh! The customer service and ambiance was truly amazing and for Boston in late July? We had the best experience! Highly recommend!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Arancini
    Arancini
    Calamari

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    Calamari

    Aqua Pazza - italian - Updated August 2026

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