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    Aqua Pazza

    4.6 (320 reviews)
    PriceyItalian, Seafood
    Closed 5:00 pm - 11:00 PM

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    Gragnano pappardelle and meatballs (on the menu as spaghetti; I substituted the pasta)
    Regan D.

    This Italian restaurant was cute and clean on the inside, with a friendly atmosphere. We also each got a caesar salad, which we all loved, and came with two small ricotta balls each (we wished they were bigger because they were so good). My friend got the cosmo, which she loved. The pasta dishes were amazing!

    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
    Alisa F.

    I came here with my friend that lives in Boston. We wanted to try something new that she hadn't been to before. The restaurant was empty the entire time we were there, which maybe was a sign. We ordered the salmon crudo, the passionfruit salad, eggplant parmigiana, and a pasta trio that came with pappardelle, lobster pillows, and cacio e Pepe. We all agreed that the appetizers were better than the main pasta. The pasta was a little too Al dente for our preference. The cacio e pepe was super salty and the other two pastas weren't particularly notable. For the price, I had higher expectations.

    Seafood risotto
    gary g.

    Italian seafood in the north end...always looking for somewhere good that we can get a reservation! So we tried aqua pazza! First the food--I can say their seafood risotto was tremendous. My wife loved the bolognese as well. But...the hamachi crudi had balsamic on it which was not a good flavor combo ; the octopus was fried, which was tasty but strange; and the halibut was significantly over cooked. They're supposed to have valet parking , but when we drove up in our rental suv, they said that's too big and then We had to go searching g for parking --which SUCKED. It was a quaint place and I did like the risotto but....not sure it's the top of my north end list

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    3 years ago

    Great food and ambiance. Server was a little green and pushy at first, but adjusted to our pace after a bit.

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    Gigi

    Gigi

    4.3
    (249 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
    SRV Boston

    SRV Boston

    4.4
    (652 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.

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

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    Outdoor
    The Salty Pig

    The Salty Pig

    4.2
    (2.1k reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    I had a great experience at The Salty Pig in Boston's Back Bay. The location is convenient and the…read morerestaurant has a warm, lively atmosphere that fits the neighborhood well--perfect for a casual night out or meeting up with friends. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the service felt efficient even when the restaurant was busy. The food was the standout. The charcuterie board was especially impressive with a well-balanced selection, and the pizzas were flavorful with a nicely crisp crust and high-quality ingredients.

    "Keep on with the forth, don't stop/don't stop until you get enough~" What mischief could a…read morerestaurant with Michael Jackson's music possibly have? Salty Pig Pizza: A pizza with the same name as the restaurant! Who was the genius who came up with the idea of ​​salted pig and beer caramel? It's brilliant! The salted pork appears to include Prosciutto di Parma from Langirano, Prosciutto Cotto, and Salcissia. Baking rendered the prosciutto's fat, which blends with the caramel to create a beautiful golden syrup that flows across the pizza's surface. The prosciutto was savory, oily, and tender; the minced salcissia retains its coarse texture and rich meaty aroma; the caramel was sweet and mellow with a honey-like sweetness, forming the top, middle, and base notes respectively. The arugula was slightly warmed, losing its astringent and raw taste while maintaining its crisp texture, helped to cut through the richness together with the Parmesan cheese powder. The crust was crispy, while the inside the dough was soft and chewy. The cooking time and seasoning were all just right, and the restaurant's proud wooden oven added a charming smoky flavor. Affogato: I had high expectations, but it was just okay. The espresso was too sour, and the vanilla ice cream couldn't balance it out. The almond biscuits had an overpowering almond flavor, and the flavor of plant-based protein was terrible! (Oh, this should have been a plus...)

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Little gem lettuce
    Little gem lettuce
    Sippin' easy (w/ alc)

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    Sippin' easy (w/ alc)

    Aqua Pazza - italian - Updated July 2026

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