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    Bova's Bakery

    4.3 (2k reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours
    Updated 2 months ago

    Bova's Bakery Photos

    BOVA'S BAKERY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Bova's Bakery

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    Jon R.

    This iconic BOVA's BAKERY & pastry shop has been Opened since 1926, 24 hours a day! Throughout my life I have had almost every cookie, every dessert that was made here and unless it's 12 midnight this place is always busy and you have to be patient in line! It's worth it! Fresh, tasty and oh so delicious!

    Allison C.

    What an incredible Italian bakery! The variety was impressive, I would've gotten a little bit of everything if I could've. They had plenty of staff that were helping to take orders. The rainbow cookies were some of the best I've had, and I really enjoyed the amount of jam in them. Looking forward to coming back to try more, and love that they're open 24 hours!

    Pistachio Cannoli
    Bill S.

    "Bill, ya gotta go to Bova's for their Florentine cannoli!" Andie E, what a great tip! I have been to Florence Italy but never heard of a Florentine cannoli before. What a fantastic treat! I've been to Bova's bakery but wasn't on my radar during this Boston trip. When the Florentine cannoli was mentioned, I changed all my plans to try this cannoli. As luck would have it there was a parking spot almost across the street. I walked inside with one person in front of me. The display case has the all the freshly made cannoli front and center. How do you choose only one? I asked the counter person for a Florentine cannoli and a piece of apple strudel to go. I was out the door in five minutes, hooray! Once I got back to my hotel, I had to take a picture of this incredible pastry. First bite and I get the taste of lace cookie compared to what we're all used to, a crunchy shell. The lace cookie shell is incredible, it's firing off all senses. The cannoli cream is fantastic! Overall, this is a 10 out of 10 pastry. Forget those two large pastry shops with long lines, Bova's Bakery is a must stop when visiting Boston. If it's your first time trying a Florentine cannoli, Bova's Bakery makes the best on the north end. You're welcome.

    Pistachio Cannoli
    Elaine M.

    This mighty bakery on the corner has got everything you could ask for. With the crazy variety of sweet and savory, the hard part is narrowing down what you can actually fit in your stomach. If you see a line out the door, don't hesitate and get in the back of the line because it moves FAST. I really wanted the pistachio cannoli (should have gotten 2!) and ended up grabbing a Sicilian slice as well. I'll be back for another sweet treat tomorrow!

    Calzones
    Johnny Y.

    For what it is, and how late it's open, this place gets a 4 out of 5. I probably wouldn't come here for food during the day when there's other options, but when it's late night and nothing else is open this is definitely a great spot to go. Got a steak and cheese calzone late night and it was solid. Tasted kind of like a cheesesteak except not in a bun. Pretty good! I'd definitely come back for late night cravings. Guy taking the order was very nice too.

    Peanut Butter Cannoli
    Alyssa M.

    This Italian bakery is very cute and has a huge selection of desserts, as well as some savory items. When you come in you'll have to get in a long line, which makes it a little difficult to see all of the offerings. I wish they had a menu posted up somewhere so that you can see what they have and the prices (since these are not displayed at all). The inside has no seating so you'll have to take it to go, but it is pretty inside with all of the displays. I got the peanut butter cannoli and it was very tasty. The line moves quickly as well, which could be a good or bad thing depending on how quickly you make your decision!

    Shaved steak rice ball....so good!!!! Great value
    Shannon R.

    I'm sure this place doesn't need any more publicity, as the line is always around the block! If you happen to be in the neighborhood on one of the less busy days, it's definitely worth a stop. We tried the rum cake, which was a bit too sweet for me personally but still tasty, and the steak and cheese rice ball. The rice ball was amazing!!! Filled with so much shaved steak, lots of cheese, and it came with really tasty marinara. Took a few minutes to warm up, but definitely worth the wait. I wish I could go back for another right now as I reflect --truly delightful.

    Pastry case
    Lisa N.

    Still five stars ! Got there early on a Thursday morning and no line. Picked up cannolis cookies and bread Easy first stop after landing at the airport! It's very easy to here by taking the blue line on the T

    Outside
    Anusha S.

    Stopped by Bova's Bakery late at night since it's open 24 hours and has a lot of hype around it. The selection is really big, which makes it nice for grabbing something sweet at any time. I tried a couple items and overall thought they were good, just not very sweet compared to what I was expecting. Everything felt fresh, just a bit more subtle in flavor than I personally prefer. Overall, a solid spot and convenient option in the North End, especially late at night. I'd stop by again if I was in the area.

    Sweet treats!
    Angela C.

    Rating only for the lobster roll! Bova's is the 7-11 of Italian bakeries in the North end, it's open 24 hours! It has such an old school mom & pop shop vibe, and an endless array of desserts in the case. They all looked amazing. My friend ordered a lobster roll for us to try. Unfortunately it wasn't something I enjoyed. I didn't like the cream inside and the pastry itself was bland. However with so many other delicious looking pastries and cakes available I'm sure that something would've been better suited to my tastebuds. Next time!

    Cream puff, tiramisu, Cannoli
    Diana F.

    I don't remember seeing prices in the glass displays. A few items on the counters had prices. Definitely mom-and-pop looking inside with items displayed everywhere, a bit chaotic. Most of the items were just ok or too sweet for me. Nothing stood out but it was super busy.

    Tiana G.

    We came here all the way from Utah and it just does not disappoint!! Everything we tried was just SO wonderful!! My favorite was the Boston Cream Pie! The cannoli's were amazing! Service was great! We went back twice! Wish we lived closer - but for the scale's sake it's best that we don't!

    Sandy P.

    Cash only! So many delicious items to choose from. 24/7 which is so cool and they offer late night bites too. This place has existed for years and family owned; BEST CANNOLI EVER. Can't go wrong with the original cannoli, the coffee one was yummy as well. Get their coconut cake because wow! Staff was friendly too and quick.

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    2 months ago

    What a great spot. Everything was delicious and it's no wonder why there's always a line outside. Pick Bova's over Mike's any day.

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    18 days ago

    Excellent, the only problem was, everything there was delicious.. so not really a problem. Just wanted to taste everything on the menu.

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    Bova's Bakery Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Bova's Bakery

    Do you accept Apple Pay?

    Yes we do thank you for your question, George F Bova Partner/Co Owner… 

    Is the Florentine cannoli gluten free? Just almond meal?

    Hi Charlene, We can not say the Florentines are gluten free. Recipe varies slightly depending on temperature and humidity and sometimes flour is added slightly. In response… 

    Do they have a ricotta pistachio cake?

    I haven’t seen it in the store but you can order it I’m sure I’d be more than happy to make you cakes.

    Is this a sit down place?

    No. We get ours and then walk to the greenway to eat it

    View All 6 Questions

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    Gigi

    Gigi

    4.3
    (253 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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    Burrata 10/10
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    Giacomo's Ristorante - Boston

    Giacomo's Ristorante - Boston

    4.1
    (4.5k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Let me get the one negative I have about this place out of the way - NO AC!…read moreIf you happen to want to try Giacomo's, make sure it isn't humid or overwhelming hot like how it was for my family and I, otherwise you will be suffocating. I felt horrible for the chefs in the back and the staff who were working amidst the flames in that heat for hours, wow. However... given the circumstance and the appropriate weather, Giacomo's might just be one of the most scenic and atmospheric spots in all of Boston's Little Italy in the North End. I can promise you, if you're looking for good quality Italian food with no fillers in portioning or shortcuts in meal quality and preparation - Giacomo's is for you. Some of the best bites of food I've had in recent memory from any place I've been to period! The joint and the staff have such class and professionalism, it's an experience all to itself. I will be back next time to sample more of their delicious and famous seasonal menu items and wine pairings. Cash only spot as of right now and I'm unsure if they plan on changing it, so be mindful of that.

    **Cash ony/ First come first serve**…read more Delicious Italian food, note the portions are large. Ordered bruschetta, meatballs and clam chowder for apps, clam linguine, lobster fra diavolo and penne bolognese - and everything was really good. Sauces are made in house and you have the option to pick your pasta, sauce and seafood option or select from an extensive menu. Food was flavorful and came out piping hot. Service was friendly and efficient. We were seated downstairs and ambiance was casual. Cash only and they have an ATM machine inside. First come first serve, lines can look imidating but moved pretty fast. Overall, if you are looking for delicious Italian food Giacomo's is a solid option.

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    Frutti di Mare Linguine
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    Open dining room

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    Piattini

    Piattini

    4.0
    (1.2k reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$$

    Thought that I was gonna get pasta, but decided to settle for sandwiches instead and it ended up…read morebeing a great decision! The pesto chicken sandwich is absolutely delicious-- from the focaccia bread being heavily seasoned to the chicken being juicy and crunchy at the same time, with the pesto, bring a great taste to the table overall, I absolutely loved this sandwich. The meatball Panini was also delicious if you are a meatball fan! Service was good. I just wish that it was a little bit more attentive at times as we waited a little longer to have gotten our check. I will come back here again to try more of their dishes and to try some of their drinks as well!

    I wanted to love this restaurant - the service was so friendly and attentive. This may have been…read morethe particular dishes I chose , but unfortunately, the food was just okay I ordered the shrimp scampi and Brussels sprouts. The sprouts had too much balsamic reduction on it which was cloying, and the garlic aioli didn't have a distinctive taste. Together it was too much sauce and the sprouts were generally overcooked, the mushy texture that makes people dislike them. The shrimp was cooked perfectly but the seasoning was on the bland side and too little sauce. It did have a nice brightness on the lemon and butter. The pasta had good texture (freshly made), but not enough flavor. The place was quite busy on a Monday night, but I don't think I'll return.

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    Tuna Crudo
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    Mida

    Mida

    4.3
    (62 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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    Sausage pizza +  Mushroom pappardelle
    Sausage pizza + Mushroom pappardelle
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    SRV Boston

    SRV Boston

    4.4
    (655 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$$

    Back in July 2020, I returned to SRV and decided to try the Arsenale tasting menu, a chef-curated,…read moremulti-course shared experience. Since it was summertime, we were able to sit outside in the courtyard out back. I had been to SRV before and had no idea this space was even there. It was tucked away, relaxed, and a great setting for dinner. I was pleased with just about everything that came to the table. There was one dish that simply wasn't doing it for us, but we didn't complain or ask for anything different. Then something happened that really stood out. The chef came out herself and mentioned that she noticed we barely touched that particular dish. She asked if she could send us something else instead. Sure enough, she did. That immediately took the service to another level. We never had to say a word. She noticed, cared enough to ask, and made sure we left happy. Looking back on this July 2020 visit, the food was creative, the courtyard was a nice surprise, but that level of attention from the chef is what I remember most. It turned a great dinner into a memorable one.

    Was excited to try SRV for the first time! The food was good, the servers were attentive, and the…read morerestaurant is beautiful inside. The one major issue we had was the timing with food. It was insanely slow. The starters were a little slow to come out, but nothing unusual. The entree, however, took probably close to 40 minutes to come out. We had so much time in between courses, by the time we go our food I was ready to leave. I also want to note that this was a Monday, they had a decent dinner rush, but it wasn't slammed. I have never experienced such slow timing with food before. I also work in the service industry, so it's a bummer to have to leave this review, but I was in genuine disbelief at how long it took. I understand things happen and maybe this was just a one-off thing, I hope it was! I wanted to get coffee and dessert but was so over it by the time we got our dinner, I didn't want to risk how much longer it would take. Unfortunately, because of how slow the service was and how long we were left there waiting, it made the dinner experience unenjoyable. Totally was not our servers fault! She and the whole staff were great, and everyone was so kind and friendly. Hoping to give this place another try one day. Definitely want to try their dessert if I decide to give them another chance.

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    Lobster risotto

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    MIDA

    MIDA

    4.2
    (713 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    Great food, lovely ambiance, and awesome waitress! Perfect GNO or date night spot…read more I really liked both of the entrees we ordered. - - The lasagna was a hearty, comforting bite. Adding short rib as the protein gave the classic dish a unique but welcome twist. I was a fan! - The rock shrimp carbonara was al dente (and made with bucatini!!) and covered in the perfect amount of creamy sauce. No notes there. Also huge shout out to our waitress (who we unfortunately did not get the name of). She helped us pick a delicious wine, and made our night a bit more entertaining.

    MIDA has been one of my favorite restaurants in the South End for years. Great Italian food, a…read morerelaxed neighborhood feel, and proudly Black-owned. It's one of those places I'm always comfortable recommending. On this visit, the Smoked Short Rib Lasagna was the reason for coming in, and we both ordered it. This is not your typical lasagna. The short rib adds a rich, smoky flavor, layered with cheese and surrounded by plenty of tomato sauce. It's hearty without trying to be overly complicated. Just really good comfort food. We also started with the Bresaola Plate, bread with olive oil, and I had a MIDAríta to drink. What I've always liked about MIDA is that it feels approachable. You can come for a casual dinner, date night, or just because you're craving a good plate of pasta. The food remains the focus. For me, MIDA is a South End staple and a restaurant I'll continue coming back to.

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    Inside
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    ARANCINI
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    Bova's Bakery - bakeries - Updated August 2026

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