Food was tasty , parking is very hard to find, it's a very small tiny place , not great very a big party of more then 4 ppl. Prices were above average . Service was friendly . read more

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Nice option for dinner in Boston. Everyone in my party liked their dish. I got their lobster ravioli which was very good. It had a ton of lobster in it! Portions are a bit small and seating is a bit tight. Be sure to make reservation a ahead of time as this place is very small. read more

BenCotto - Boston - Lobster Ravioli - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Doesn't have good impressions. I booked the table for 5 people at 5 pm and we show up at 4.45 pm, the person at the door say hi to us and i informed him that we have 5 pm reservation, he responded " oh i'm sorry i cannot sit you right at this moment because we have big important party coming in soon, you have to wait until i sit them first" He showed me the lists. There are 4.30 pm for 4 people, 5 pm for 2 and then us was the third on the lists. Even though it is already 4.45 pm and his important party still haven't show us but in contrast we have to wait until the important party get seat first! we left and then this place called at 5.10 with words say " we cannot hold your table forever!!" No Thanks, I don't have to beg for your food read more

BenCotto - Boston - The voicemail from restaurant after doesn't want to seat us because he wait for his "important party" - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Solid experience. Probably a high 3 rating but not quite 4. Flavors did not stand out but meal was enjoyable. Ambiance is meh.

I would definitely say food and food service was a 4.5. My husband and family came here for lunch today. The vibe was casual and it smelled like fresh Italian food the second you walk in. We opted to share some items so we shared the eggplant rollatini, calamari, and lobster ravioli. The eggplant was soft and delicious filled with ricotta my husband described as "soft like a pillow", the lobster ravioli was delicious, and the calamari was lightly fried and yummy. Probably my favorites from these though were the eggplant and ravioli. We shared a margarita pizza with hot peppers and onions. Though the pizza was delicious, I may have preferred it a bit more crispy and less soft. Otherwise it was thin crust which is our preference. A reason we came was the extensive lunch menu, and I would definitely come back! Thanks for a great experience overall. read more

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We had lunch here yesterday and everything was exceptional! They make several of their pastas in house. I had the Carbonara with chicken. I could eat it again today it was so good. Others got the Caesar salad with shrimp, some pizzas, and the pasta fagioli and they all enjoyed them. The shrimp were larger in size, which is always nice to see. Highly recommend! Service was perfect! The place is small though. read more

BenCotto - Boston - Exterior - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Bencotto has always been the favorite pizza spot on Hanover street. Out of the other restaurants their dough and bread has been the best. It is soft, yet crispy and chewy at the same time. This pizza is directly comparable to the finest pizza in Naples and the Almafi coast in Italy. One of my favorite local places that gives a true taste of Italy in the states. Service here is always top notch and the family who owns it is passionate about providing excellent food and experiences everyday. read more

BenCotto - Boston - Mushroom and Pepperoni Pizza - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Great Staff and service. Food was not bad but not amazing. Solid place to go if you are looking for more tables and nice downstairs away from the wind read more

Not sure how this joint doesn't have 5/5 stars. Service was fast and friendly. Sports on. Good music. Fresh air with open windows all around. I love this spot. The dining area isn't huge so there might be a wait, but it's worth it. Lobster ravioli was amazing. My wife and I both swear by it. We tried some martinis this time. I did the espresso one, she had the pistachio, hers was our favorite. Both were really good, but hers had the edge. Super light. Fun colored bev too. Would highly recommend this spot to anyone wanting friendly service, great food, while visiting north end. Oh yeah, they send you off with a limoncello shot after paying your tab (gotta be of age, of course) Check 'em out! read more

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My family and I came here on a rainy weeknight. The staff was very nice and accommodating. We got a table right by the windows. It's a small place, but very welcoming. Everyone felt like family. We got the lobster ravioli appetizer, the boscaiola, penne chicken broccoli, and penne with meatball. The appetizer portion of the lobster ravioli was plenty to have as a full dish. It's homemade ravioli stuffed with shrimp and lobster. They do not skimp on the filling. It's was served in a pink sauce. The boscaiola was served in a similar sauce. The pasta is also homemade. It balances well with the peas and prosciutto. The chicken penne broccoli was a nice contrast to to the other pasta dishes. The garlic and white wine sauce left the dish less heavy and the flavors clean. Everything was great. It just depends on what type of dish you like. I had a hard time deciding what to get. For dessert we got the tiramisu, amaretto cake, and a mini cannoli. I loved the mini cannoli concept. It was just enough of a taste. The amaretto cake was great, but the tiramisu was probably the best I've ever had. It was so light and fluffy. I was stuffed after dinner, but you can't leave the North End without having tiramisu. read more

Like so many spots in the North End, this is a tiny, bustling spot serving traditional Italian dishes. Though this place was packed when we arrived, I was able to get a reservation for a Saturday night just a couple days before which is nice and often hard to do in Boston. The fresh pasta here is some of the best I've had in a loooong time, it's so worth the $3 extra. I will definitely be coming back for the Lobster Ravioli alone. The Bruschetta appetizer and Carbonara were also spot on, as I imagine pretty much everything on the menu is. The only reason I'm not giving this place 5 stars is because their martinis (I tried both the Espresso and Tiramisu) could use some work, they were a bit sweet for me, and as we were eating dessert and finishing our drinks the owner came over to tell us it was time to give up the table. He was super nice about it and I totally get that things in the North End move at a fast pace to accommodate all the tourists, but it's not the best way to finish a meal. Overall, will definitely be back and have told all my friends to check it out too :) read more

BenCotto - Boston - Homemade pasta... yummm - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Excellent food, excellent location, excellent service! We started with the mozzarella balsamic bruschetta and it was outstanding. Great choice to start the meal. I had the lobster ravioli which was the best I have had. Really good portions and was not light on the lobster. They sauce absolutely made this dish. My wife had the boscaiola gnocchi and loved it. We brought a school group of 14 and BenCotto was very helpful and accommodating in getting us in and accommodating us. Outstanding experience! read more

BenCotto - Boston - Mozzarella balsamic Bruschetta - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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This is one of the "North End Favorites" specials - Sausage & broccoli rabe with fresh homemade fusilli pasta. I even added hot cherry peppers. OMG... I've eaten at every four-star and above restaurant in the North End, and I'm friends with a few of the owner's of very popular restaurants here, but BenCotto is the real deal and certainly worth trying. I cannot express how impressed I am with the food but also the service. Hailey at the bar was amazing. I will be back at least one more time before I fly out in the next week! read more

BenCotto - Boston - Sausage & broccoli rabe with fresh homemade fusilli pasta. I even added hot cherry peppers. OMG... - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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BenCotto is a wonderful Italian restaurant. We have a number of allergies in our family and Jen did a fantastic job helping each of us find something tasty and safe for dinner. We have a Celiac- so no gluten. They have 2 types of gluten free pasta- penne and gnocchi. We tried the gf penne with shrimp and broccoli in a white wine sauce. Two of the group have allergies to garlic and onion. We found a couple of excellent options- namely cheese ravioli in a tomato basil sauce and Chicken Piccata in a lemon wine sauce with homemade fusilli. Jen was the best server! She helped find options that were delicious and worked for each of us. The last of us had shrimp in a tomato basil sauce. Everything was very fresh and very good. Thank you, Jen! read more

Came here late on a Saturday after touring all day & evening. So thankful that they could seat a table of 6 and 10:00pm. We arrived at 10:15 and promised we'd be out before the 11:00 closing time. We ordered right away and our waiter was attentive. Our table in the basement provided rustic ambiance and the food came out quickly. Our party was three teenagers with three adults and we ordered family-style. We started with the fig salad which was shared between 4-5 people as a light green starter. The fig and prosciutto made it excellent. We had the chicken parmigiana, eggplant parmigiana, penne with vodka sauce, and rustic margherita pizza. It was just the right amount of food for our very hungry crew. If you like a light a crispy flatbread style pizza, the rustic is the way to go. The eggplant was our favorite with the rest being tied for second. read more

Wait what am I in Italy!! Well it sure as hell feels that way! We came here with friends and left with full bellies and a warm heart. The food was simply delicious. Cooked in hot ovens with simple ingredients and lots of experience. I can not say enough good things about this place. Our server Mateo was spot on. He knew his menu knew his chef and really made everything even better than it was..Well done to him.. Indoor and outdoor seating available. I will come back here again and again.. live laugh and viva Italia . read more

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My go to restaurant in the north end. Whatever you do get the Lobster raviolis you will not be disappointed!

So good! Gluten free options that were delicious. Cute spot on the corner with an open air vibe and amazing food. read more

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The staff was incredibly friendly. It was nice to hear them taking time to help train new staff in a positive manner. The main dining is crowded but it's in a city, room is at a premium. They made effective use of what they have. The food... so good! Rustic pizza was perfectly done. Crisp dough to hold the pizza together but soft enough to have great flavor. The penne a la vodka was superbly done. Perfectly al Dante. The bruschetta was ok, nothing to brag about but not bad at all. Highly recommend this place. read more

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Food and service were excellent. Meghan was a wonderful waitress. And it's a great people watching location with tables literally next to the sidewalk with windows completely opened. I highly recommend. read more

First off the service was amazing, very attentive staff. Second the appetizer was stunning. The wine was nice, not over powering. My friend ordered the clam pizza -- insanely good and huge portions. I ordered the pesto with fusilli -- again perfectly done and huge portions. Parking is a bit of a challenge and we were placed by the door which was quite suboptimal. Otherwise this would have been five stars. read more

Lobster ravioli was good. Pumpkin ravioli was better. I guess there was a lot of cream and butter because I'm mildly lactose intolerant. The staff were great. read more

Food was pretty decent. Chicken Parm tasted a bit like cardboard. Penne was excellent. Was a little hot in the basement but our server was very nice and attentive! read more

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One of my favorite restaurants in the North End. We had a reservation but were not sat until thirty minutes after which was frustrating. However, once we were seated it was a great experience. The space is small but has a very authentic feel to it. The servers were super friendly and helpful. For drinks we got a Peach Belini and a Bencotto Punch, which is my favorite and highly recommend. We got the Boscaiola with gnocchi which we really enjoyed, the pink cream sauce was amazing. We also got a Benevento Pizza which was very good. Gluten Free: I cannot recommend this restaurant enough for gluten free Italian food. Gluten free items are not marked on the menu but the server was very knowledgeable, and walked us through what we could have and what substitutions needed to be made. They had both gluten free pasta and gnocchi available and can do the pizzas gluten free. read more

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So good. I rarely give 5 stars on a first visit however this was fantastic. Great service and we had a larger group with 7 for lunch. They were attentive, helpful, and made the experience that much better. We sat outside at the sidewalk seating. They had both corners so probably have shade all the time. I turned to the "North End Favorites" which included the Chicken Penne Broccoli as an option. It comes with a choice of cream sauce (what I chose) or white wine garlic. The cream was just the right cheesiness. It wasn't too heavy but oh so good. Lots of broccoli florets. The penne had a great texture. The overall dish was a wonderful flavor. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. So, so good. Lots of great menu items and reasons to return. Definitely give them a try. read more

BenCotto - Boston - Corner spot - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

This is always a winner. Been to Boston 3 times and have had this spot every time. Last time I had Bolognese on GF penne, and this time I had Gnocchi Bolognese with Sausage. We compared the gluten free Gnocchi and the regular Gnocchi and both are superb.. Would be hard to tell them apart unless you eat them side by side. Everyone raved about my Gnocchi Bolognese with Sausage. The Bruschetta appetizer was also a winner. Cheers! read more

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The server was nice but way under staffed. Tables are right on top of each other as our table was maybe 12" from the corner of another. Had Chicken Parm and no flavor and just no home made pasta. Meatballs had no seasoning, very bland. Only the special had homemade pasta. In an area so well known for Italian it was not a great option. Wouldn't return as too many other options to try. Most with fresh pasta. read more

Came in here randomly. Was sat immediately. The location is perfect. The eggplant parmigiana was heaven. Feels like authentic Italian food. Great beers on tap. Fugget about it read more

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My oldest was celebrating his birthday and we headed to BenCotto. It's a bit tiny in there so grab reservations, most definitely. Our server Megan knocked it out of the park. She did such a great job taking care of us. We snagged a seat right by the pizza oven, which was fun to check out. The bar was hoping and the cocktails looked great. Next time! My son got the cheese pizza and devoured it. I chose the fusilli with bolognese. Umm wow, that was delicious! Thanks for the great food and service. read more

BenCotto - Boston - Kiddo cheese pizza and fusilli with bolognese. - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

What a great little place. Our server was so nice and the fettuccine bolognese was fantastic and plentiful! read more

BenCotto - Boston - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

This bustling, family-friendly restaurant was one of the highlights of our Boston trip! My wife said the Orechiette BenCotto was the best thing she's eaten in quite some time, and I agree! The saltimbocca had all the right proportions and was full of favor throughout the dish. And the service was friendly and fun! read more

BenCotto - Boston - Chicken Saltimbocca - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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The Lobster Raviolis were amazing. The staff was very friendly. Would definitely recommend.

Great food, awesome service. They take care of you here like family. And if need a good place for gluten free pizza, this is your spot!

Cute little place great service food was phenomenal. The servers went above and beyond to take care of us.

Went here recently for the second time with the family, and it was just as outstanding as the first time. I absolutely love this place. The food is so authentic and delicious; the servers are extremely knowledgeable; and the ambiance is quintessential North End. There's a small dining room upstairs where you can people watch and take in the fresh air, but there's also a great dining area in the nice, cool basement which my kids love. It's like a secret dining room. This is a North End favorite for my family. read more

Easy five star review for me. Warm, welcoming classic Italian spot right in the heart of the action on Boston's North End. Service was perfect - easy going, attentive staff that knew exactly what to recommend (and when to offer another round of Peroni!). I had the vinegar peppers, sausage, chicken and potatoes and really enjoyed it - tons of distinct flavors, cooked just right, great portion size. Added a side of rigatoni so I could give their red sauce a spin and was glad I did. Strong recommendation off Hanover, an area with stiff competition. read more

BenCotto - Boston - Vinegar Peppers ,Sausage, Chicken & Potatoes - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Food, service, ambiance, ALL A1. The lobster ravioli was so delightful The lasagna was "omg, omg, buzzin' buzzin' - says my 11-year-old son. The waiter was so attentive. I plan on coming back here forever now. Here's a pic of the before and after lol GO CHECK THEM OUT NOW!! read more

BenCotto - Boston - Before - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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While a small physical building, they make up for with the great food and service. I loved getting their pesto sauce with the bread - a game changer for anyone who loves pesto. The food was great and because we had to wait a little longer they gave us a free dessert without even knowing we were there for our anniversary dinner so that was special. Waiter was friendly and overall great North End Italian vibes! read more

BenCotto - Boston - Margherita Pizza and gnocchi - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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This was a great spot the girls and I landed when trying to find dinner after our flight. The drink menu had plenty to choose and was absolutely delicious. It felt great enjoying a cocktail with the windows open and fresh air blowing into the restaurant. The host is what drew us into the restaurant that day. He was welcoming, asking what brought us into the city and gave some great recommendations to do on the city. Our server was equally just as fun, welcoming and easy going to talk to. She apologized when our second round of cocktails took a little longer than before but we reassured it was all good as we were relaxing and we clearly saw that the dinner rush was hitting so we didn't mind waiting. I got the pink vodka sauce with fettuccine and it was yummy! I also recommend starting with the calamari as the mariana it was lightly breaded, perfectly done and the sauce was scrumptious. The menu is on the pricier side, especially if you want to add protein to a pasta dish, just a heads up. read more

BenCotto - Boston - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Not sure why the North End gets a lot of hype for Italian food but the offerings here are pretty weak IMO. Our dining experience here was pretty subpar. Made reservations for 6pm but we ended up waiting to get seated at 6:30 even though they let walk ins who came in after us sit before us (don't know why). When we finally got seated, they stuck us in the basement next to the wine rack. Having someone constantly reach over me during my meal to grab wine was really annoying. I got the distinct feeling that this establishment isn't POC friendly from the overall vibe from their front of the house. Food here is pretty meh. Menu has a lot of Italian staples but the food is just average. Portions are pretty small for the price. I think what sealed it for me was watching someone from the kitchen run and grab 4 boxes of Barilla pasta to bring back to the kitchen. THEY DON'T USE FRESH PASTA HERE. I don't know what passes for authentic Italian in Boston but I think most NYC places in Little Italy or Arthur Avenue would be appalled. Honestly no one in the family liked their food (maybe we're just spoiled with our choices in NY). Service here from our server was excellent - she was attentive, friendly and the only bright spot in our meal. I'd skip eating here if you're used to Arthur Avenue level food. Overall a very disappointing experience. read more

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