The atmosphere was great, service was great, and food was amazing! Best lasagna ever!

I was really looking forward to trying Bencotto in the North End, but unfortunately, it was not a great experience. The tables were packed so tightly together that it was hard to move, and the servers kept bumping into us all night. I ordered the salmon and made it very clear that I couldn't have any nuts or seeds -- but it still came out with vegetables that had seeds. When I brought it up, the staff was dismissive and unhelpful. Really disappointing customer service. Definitely not somewhere I'd return. read more

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

Here is another North End review! My buddy and I stumbled upon this amazing Italian restaurant in the North End when the restaurant we intended on going stopped seating new customers for the night. Guess what? I'm glad that it happened because our experience at BenCotto was amazing! There was a wait for table seating but we were able to grab a couple seats at the bar right away to get things started. The restaurant itself was a bit loud but it was filled with all good vibes. It was also reassuring that everyone at the table seemed to enjoy their food and their company before we ordered our food. I got the pappardelle pasta special with sausage and mascarpone cream sauce. It was so deliciously creamy and I still wanted more even after I was full! My buddy ordered the boscaiola pasta with pink sauce and he also enjoyed his food very very much. Both dishes were actually recommended by the bartender so we were extremely thankful for her suggestions and didn't leave us hanging. I definitely can't wait to visit BenCotto again and taste their other delicious dishes! read more

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So, let me start by saying that I have not been disappointed by anything I have ever tried here. The atmosphere in the outdoor dining area on a warm spring/summer night is amazing and you feel as though you are stepping into another time and place. It is the perfect 'date' place. read more

BenCotto - Boston - Veal Parmigiana - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Relaxed casual atmosphere with good food! We made a last minute same day reservation and got on no problem. Pizzas looked great. We came for the rollatini which did not disappoint. read more

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Was walking thru the North End on a gorgeous Fall day at the end of September 2024. Wanted to treat myself and I found the perfect place to do just that! BenCotto on Hanover Street. I was there around 1 pm on a Monday and was immediately seated. I opted for the salumi plate for one. It was outstandingly delicious!!!! Just the perfect serving size for one person (they also offer it for two people). A wonderful combination of meats cheeses marinated veggies bread and sweetness to include some jam and drizzled honey. I highly recommend and will be back ...living in Boston I can easily do but if you're visiting you'll be glad you stopped in! read more

Really small shop with pretty good food. They're really busy for the size of the restaurant, so it can be a bit of a wait to get a table. One thing I really wished is that they had kept the door closed so that the seats at the bar directly in front of the door wouldn't be freezing cold all through dinner, especially during cold rainy nights. The bolognese was my standout favorite, even though it's not usually what I go for at other restaurants. I usually like a good carbonara, I did feel this one was a little too rich in its sauce for my taste. read more

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5 stars If you're looking for a cozy, authentic experience in the North End, Ben Cotta is a must. Tucked away on a charming street, this small, family-run spot is the kind of place that makes you feel like you've stumbled into someone's home -- if their home happened to serve incredible food and warm hospitality. The atmosphere is intimate and welcoming, with just the right amount of buzz and conversation in the air. You can tell there's heart behind everything -- from the way you're greeted at the door to the thoughtfully curated menu. Make a reservation -- and whatever you do, don't be late. The space is small (in the best way), and they run a tight ship to keep things running smoothly. It's worth it -- every dish we had was fantastic. Fresh ingredients, perfect seasoning, and that unmistakable homemade touch. The pasta? Unreal. The dessert? Let's just say I'm still thinking about it. Ben Cotta is a gem that stands out even in a neighborhood full of great food. We left full, happy, and already planning our next visit. read more

Amazing! Simply Amazing! My family and I were looking for some great, not good, but great Italian for lunch. So we were guided here based on a recommendation, and we were so happy about it. Where to begin. Well, as you walk in, you will notice the place is quaint in both size and atmosphere. As we sat down, it was easy to soak in the energy from the street with the tall windows all wide open. We were then greeted by a delightful server and proceeded to place our drink order. As we reviewed the menu, I knew this was going to be a tough decision. So many delicious options. I finally settled on the Veal Picatta, with a twist. I absolutely needed to sample the homemade pasta and asked if I could substitute some pasta for the vegetables ... and it was not a problem. Then it all arrived and ... the portions were enormous! I stared at my plate for a moment taking it all in. So much pasta, so much veal, how am I going to eat all this food? But after one bite, I knew it was not going to be a problem. And then poof ... plate was empty. That's it gang. My belly was full and happy. Now please roll me out of here before they ask about dessert! read more

This is such a great spot. I knew from the moment the man sitting at the door said, "You hungry?" I was in the right place. This appears to be a family-run establishment and that's some of my favorite restaurants to enjoy a meal because you know they put everything into it. The food did not disappoint and it's a wonderful people-watching location. I'll definitely be back soon! read more

We stopped in for a quick and light lunch. It was a cool day in in North End, but we still enjoyed sitting next to the large open windows. I could see how enjoyable this must be on a beautiful day. Our server was very friendly and we found the kitchen delivered food quickly. We started with some Aperol Spritz, which were nice, but a little light on the Aperol for our liking. Since we only wanted a light lunch, we each had an appetizer, and found the portion size to be generous and perfect for a light meal. Eggplant rollatini was very light and filled with delicious cheese. The sauce was very good, and makes me want to return for a pasta dish. The lobster ravioli was also a nice portion and came with a delicious, creamy but light sauce. We will try BenCotto again in the future when we are up for a bigger meal so we can explore the menu a bit more deeply. read more

BenCotto - Boston - Eggplant Rollatini - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The food was mostly good and the service was excellent. I was not impressed with the Bolognese, but the eggplant parm was great. The open kitchen creates a fryer smell in the restaurant. Def had to wash everything we were wearing after getting home. read more

In the heart of the North End, Bencotto offers hearty Italian dishes, wines and amazing appetizers. The bruschetta is a perfect starter, fresh tomato and mozz are dressed beautifully with EVOO and balsamic glaze, and the starter splits well between two people. The wine and drink list is long but not overwhelming. The Sauvignon blanc is my preferred fave and goes wonderfully with a hearty meal. The chicken Parmesan is two freshly breaded and fried cutlets covered rationally in mozz and tomato sauce. As authentic as you'd expect in the North End of Boston. Absolutely delicious and couldn't ask for more from this dish. Definahely recommend this restaurant for a date night. It's tight in here so be ready to cozy up to your table partner (and those eating at the next table). I'll be back next summer, Boston! read more

BenCotto - Boston - Chicken & Eggplant Parmigiana - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Wonderful dinner for 4 at BenCotto! First time here and it did not disappoint. Our server Megan was excellent ( & knowledgeable @GF options). Our friends started with the Shrimp Grand Marnier appetizer which they said was amazing. Everyone enjoyed their entrees as well. Restaurant is small (we did have reservations) and there were people waiting at the door but we never felt rushed. A great first time experience and we plan to be back! read more

Nothing could have prepared me for how GOOD THIS PASTA WAS. So delicious and fresh. I would 100% recommend getting one of their fresh pastas. I knew this place was going to amazing when I saw the size of the place. It is small but they have a good number of tables and seating. The service was so fast and everyone was extremely nice and accommodating. I just loved this place seriously 10/10. read more

BenCotto - Boston - Carbonara Fusilli - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Excellent brick oven pizza. Authentic, delicious and filling. Service was fast and nice and the place was comfortable and cozy. read more

BenCotto - Boston - Rustic Shrimp Pizza and Porchetta Pizza - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

They give you a big portion and the food is delicious! With that said, my friend found a piece of hair on their plate and sent it back. The server brought out a new plate a while later that is steaming hot. I think they really wanted to emphasize that they made a new dish... Otherwise, it was nice inside with all the windows open and you can see people walking by outside, good vibes. Nothing unique about it being on Hanover street though. read more

BenCotto - Boston - Orechiette Bencotto - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

We come to Boston every year and honestly I found one place that we always frequent. So I was a little hesitant to venture out to a new (to me) place in the North End, when I already had my go to. It's a quaint restaurant just like so many. They were able to accommodate our table of 6 the morning of a Saturday night. Once we go there it was only a 5 minute wait and the shuffled us off downstairs to the basement. Wow was it cool though. Live the history of these restaurants. Our server was Adriana and she was incredible! She checked on us frequently and so friendly, but never imposing. We started with the pumpkin ravioli and it was out of this world amazing! How could anybody top that. Then my dinner came. I had ordered the sausage carbonara. If it tasted nearly as good as it smelled...then I would be happy. Words can't even explain how amazing it tasted! Fresh and savory but that sausage was unbelievably good. I now have a new favorite! Can't wait to come back next year. read more

Anthony was an excellent waiter! He gave great suggestions and we were so pleased with our meal. The appetizer mushroom rice balls were super delish, the ravioli and my dish I can't remember the name but its the seafood pasta was flavorful and didn't need anything added. The restaurant is small but a local, friendly vibe. If you're in the area, definitely a place to stop in! read more

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I ordered the Chicken Marsala over angel hair. It was delicious. The service was also spot on. Highly recommend. read more

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

Great authentic Italian. Excellent and friendly service. I grew up working in the north end and have eaten in many restaurants. This is at the top of my list to eat and drink good Italian wine. read more

The food was great! Being ignored at the door and at the table was not. Five people standing around and worried more about a lady struggling with a rowing machine (yes, you read that correctly) and ignoring a patron is pretty poor. The restaurant was not busy, but after my server came, all was well. I ordered pretty quickly, and bread and oil were delivered. The oil was super fresh and delicious. The bread needed salt -- still really good. The carbonara was beyond incredible -- so much pancetta, and the fresh pasta was nicely al dente. And to end the meal was homemade limoncello- a small quantity, thankfully, and it was truly delightful. Bottom line - the food and the service after the wait was great. read more

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Everything here is AMAZING! But my favorite is the Pumpkin Ravioli!!! We had to cancel tonight because our flight got cancelled! So bummed out! read more

Arrived with a group of 10 after making reservations a week prior and were escorted to the basement where there was a cool speakeasy vibe and seating for maybe 25 people. We had a waiter available and highly attentive throughout our meal and everyone seemed to enjoy the food and drinks without any issues. Our waiter also provided some great recommendations for those of us with food allergies, which is always good. High recommend. read more

Solid pizza in north end. The gluten free pizza was disappointing though. It's a smaller pie than a regular crust pizza and it came out burnt on some ends. My friend had very little to eat with the smaller portion despite an extra charge for substituting the crust. It was quite crowded but food was pretty ordinary. read more

BenCotto - Boston - Benevento Pizza - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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The food and service was particularly exceptional amongst all the delicious options in the north end. A small place but quite lovely.

There's a lot of restaurants to choose from in the North End, but over the years BenCotto has become our family favorite. Some of their specials are phenomenal and worth trying, but at this point our family has our tried and true dishes, and rarely takes a look at the menu. First up, Gnocchi BenCotto: on the menu, it's listed as Orichetti BenCotto- but you can substitute any of their pasta in. The soft gnocchi is perfect with the crispy bacon and the light sauce. My son loves the pizza BenCotto, but adds mushrooms on top. BenCotto gets mobbed during the summer season, like all of the restaurants in the north end, but there's no better place to tuck into during a cold Boston day in the fall or winter. In addition to the food, the location on a corner with big windows overlooking Hanover street makes for some of the best people watching in the area. read more

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The food was out of bounds! The carbonara made this fat man happy as a pig in the mud.

They served us bread and olive oil, the bread was nothing special but the olive oil was really good. The orechiette bencotto pasta was very good and I would get it again. We got the primavera pasta with fettuccine as well with white wine sauce which was not my favorite because it was kind of bland. They charge extra for fresh pasta which is kind of annoying. You could tell the noodles we got were not fresh pasta. Both pastas were huge servings and 2 dishes was plenty to split for 4 people. There is seating inside but they leave windows open and it was super breezy. Basically if you come here, get the orecchiette bencotto pasta, but there are better spots in the north end with fresh pasta that don't charge! I went to antico forno the other day and it was much better. read more

BenCotto - Boston - Orechiette Bencotto and Primavera pasta - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Although small this place is very mighty. . Made a 6:15 reservation, sat down right away and as I was admiring the kitchen staff , we ordered up drinks . Not a seat to be had , it was loud and youthful. The table ordered up Shrimp Scampi and Chicken marsala. Both were excellent! Shrimp were cooked to perfection and the vegetable medley in marsala sauce was excellent. I would highly recommend this place. Really enjoyed the atmosphere 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

It is hard to get gluten free pizza right, but I think Bencotto did a good job. The crust was thin and floppy in some parts, charred and crispy in others. Overall it held up well with delicious tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese on top. The restaurant had a lovely ambience with Italian music and large windows open to the street that let fresh air in. The staff was kind and helpful. I recommend! read more

BenCotto - Boston - Gluten free Margherita Pizza - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

We have visited North End countless times in search of traditional Italian cuisine and have finally found our place in BenCotto. Their sauces were not the heavily reduced, almost too rich to eat, sauces that are found in most of the newer establishments. In true Italian form, you could sense that the food was made using recipes passed down from many generations. Service was great - attentive staff and overall wait to be seated and served was reasonable. Ambiance was old world feel, just what you would expect! If you're visiting during the hot weather I recommend you ask for a table upstairs in their main dining area, as while the downstairs is cute and intimate, it can get very warm. Overall, great time and extremely delicious eats! read more

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We had just arrived in the North End and were looking for someplace inside with a table for five to get lunch and kill a couple hours until we could get in to our condo at 3:00. The hostess here seated us immediately in an ice cold basement (we were visiting during an epic heatwave) where we basically had our own dining space, and we never felt rushed. The pizza, pasta and sandwiches were all amazing, and the service was superior! They kept the drinks flowing, and never made us feel like we were a problem hanging out for a couple of hours. read more

Honestly I wish they had an entrée size portion for their pumpkin ravioli, which was the total star of the dinner we had. It was phenomenal, super flavorful and paired with the perfect cream sauce. The personal charcuterie board was really well balanced too with different flavors and textures, and the pizzas both great. Would definitely always reorder more pumpkin ravioli! :) read more

BenCotto - Boston - Personal charcuterie - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Delicious and Vibrant environment. staff is the best, excellent service with Boston gruffness that is all love.

Stellar food! This is the best food in the North End!! Their pastas and pizzas are beyond great.

Delicious spot for an Italian food Saturday night... you literally can't go wrong with any item on this menu. We had to wait a bit despite having a reservation (~10 minutes), but everything was worth it. The service was prompt and the food was great. Also noteworthy- the reservation was very simple to make and the manager was more than happy to confirm it multiple times over the phone. As for the food- I went for the Orechiette BenCotto, and added crispy chicken to it. Hands down one of the best choices I've ever made in my entire life. The pasta was cooked perfectly, the tomato-cream sauce complimented the dish very well, and both meats were smoky and delicious. It also tasted better because of the cozy environment we were served in. It was pleasant to see that the restaurant had multiple levels, and lots of tables to fit people in. Despite many restaurants in the NE being super crowded for dinner most nights, this place seems to do it right in terms of the flow of customers. read more

Lobster ravioli for the win! When in the North End, you've gotta get your Italian on. After seeing the ridiculously long lines at Giacomo's and Carmelina's down the way, I decided to see if BenCotto had any availability for a table. There was still a short wait, but they were able to seat me right at the bar. BenCotto has a small space but it's intimate and charming. The bar space is super close to the kitchen so you can peep them preparing some of the meals and witness the interactions between the staff. The only available seat at the time was a seat that was right in front of the door. The draft from the wind was mighty cold and I felt it every time someone opened the door to the restaurant. Luckily, I was able to move to the other side of the bar when another couple left. This time I was closer to the kitchen but not sure if I was supposed to hear some of the staff jargon that was being said. It was very entertaining but might have been a little too close for comfort. Aside from that, the owner/manager was very welcoming and funny. A true Italian man at heart and so were several of the kitchen staff and the chefs. The bartender was completely slammed and I understood why. The place was packed with people and she was making all of the drinks by herself. Despite this, she held down the fort and still made time to check in with me and the other patrons at the bar. The wine and cocktail menu is extensive. I went easy and had a split of Prosecco Rosé. Just about all of the entrees on their menu looked scrumptious, but I couldn't stop myself from ordering their lobster ravioli. It's one of my faves, and being in Boston, seafood pasta was pretty much a must for me. And let me tell you, they definitely do it well. The ravioli was pillowy soft and practically melted in my mouth. Both the lobster meat and the lobster pieces tasted very fresh. And that pink shrimp cognac cream sauce was absolute dynamite. The portion was just enough to fill me up and I left full and satisfied. Although not as popular as Giacomo's or Carmelina's, BenCotto is still an excellent option for Italian food in the North End. I'd come back here again to indulge in more Italian deliciousness as opposed to waiting in line at those other restaurants. BenCotto is a gem in the North End. read more

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Great service, good food. Nice quiet little atmosphere. Had a great time and food was amazing before the bruins game.