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    Cafe Amaro

    4.4 (87 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 11:00 PM

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    CAFE AMARO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Amaro

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    Prosciutto and Fig pizza
    Melissa Y.

    Cafe Amaro....No Bene! North End is one of my favorite Boston neighborhoods for Italian food especially Pizza. But this time, not so much! We walked in here on a Sunday afternoon and stopped at Cafe Amaro since they had open tables. The restaurant is very small probably about 10 or so tables. We sat right up against the kitchen which was warm since it was a bit chilly outside. After about 5-8 minutes went by our server came over and we asked to sample 2 glasses of wine. They were not good at all. After tasting one more we finally landed on the Chianti. We then waited longer to place our order which was the Prosciutto and Fig pizza. I also ordered a soda water with lemon which never came. Note: there are 2 servers and I believe 1 speaks English but I am not 100% sure. Once our server finally came over my husband had to remind him of the soda water which he proceeded to say "we only have large bottles." Ok, thanks for letting me know since the other server/busser did not. Does he work here? Does he know the menu? Why wouldn't he tell me this the first place? Our pizza finally came and even after ordering it well done it was still floppy and flimsy to the point when everytime we went to pick up the slice everything fell off...UGH! I don't know how in the North End this place gets by or survives? Maybe they were having an off day? I do see other reviews that had better experiences than ours. Maybe they were short on staff? If that was the case then say something because I probably would've had more patience and understanding if this was the case. BTW, Our server NEVER came over after ordering our wines and pizza. He never asked "how is everything?" NEVER... I also rarely give one/two stars to restaurants but this was despicable and I really hope this is not their norm. All I have to say is there are so many other better restaurants in the North End to go to, but Cafe Amaro is not one of them.

    Margarita Pizza
    Destiny C.

    I was walking through the North End when I found Cafe Amaro. It's a tiny restaurant filled with about 10 tables. They are extremely close together with tight walking space so just beware of that. I went on a Saturday afternoon around 3pm and there was no wait. However, you are able to make a reservation online. I ordered a margarita pizza for an appetizer which was my favorite part of the meal. The sauce was on the sweeter side and there was a perfect amount of mozzarella cheese. For entrees, we shared the meatballs and the rigatoni bolognese. We weren't the biggest fans of the meat sauce in the bolognese, however it's just personal preference. The service was a little slow because there was one waiter to all 10 tables. He was friendly though and our food was made fast. I highly recommend for a cozy dinner, the margarita pizza is a must order!!

    Gnocchi
    Nitasha K.

    Small hole in the wall we have often overlooked in the North End but some of my favorite food thus far. The meatballs, margarita pizza, and gnocchi were favorites. For a party of four, I'd recommend doing either two pastas and a pizza or vice versa with a couple apps. Would definitely come back and try more of the menu. The service was mostly attentive, and the vibe was cozy Italian.

    Caprese salad

    Such a good wine list and a better espresso martini than a lot of other restaurants in the area. Good vibe and fresh ingredients

    Brendon W.

    Stopped by with 2 friends on a weeknight and got a couple rounds of drinks and it was delicious. Our server was so kind and personable. The vibes were super relaxed and chill inside. Would definitely come back and maybe next time would want to try the food here.

    Calamari
    Alan C.

    Came here for dinner for Valentine's Day and I should imagine it was a very tight. This is my first time here so I'm not sure if the configuration it was supposed to be as tight where they have like two high top tables directly behind other dining tables so some acrobatics were needed to be done by both the white staff and customers to sort just move around. I didn't mind that much since it was actually pretty tight and cozy so it actually brought up the energy I think. We already had reservations, so we received a fairly quickly, and the white stuff were very professional and courteous. The food did not disappoint. The calamari came out fresh and hot. Crispy and the banana peppers gave it just the right heat. The marinara sauce paired well with it. The Lobster Fra Diavolo was done in a cute heart shaped, so that was delightful. Lobster was done perfectly and the slightly spicy sauce of the pasta paired beautifully. My favorite was actually the marsala. The Fusilli was done perfectly al dente and soaked in that delicious sauce that was flavorful and clung so well to the pasta. The chicken breast was well marinated and super tender and juicy. Honestly, I wouldn't hesitate to order this again next time.

    burrata pizza
    Zoe W.

    Delicious, delicious, delicious! We made a reservation for a party of 6 for my best friend's birthday and we had an absolute blast! We ordered 2 bottles of moscato throughout the meal which was super light and fruity. I ended up splitting the burrata pizza and the rigatoni bolognese which were both delicious! I was very impressed by the brick oven pizza. Both dishes were perfect together and were very tasty. I'd recommend both. The service was amazing! Truly the best service I could ask for. Both waiters were super attentive and constantly came in to check on us, refill our drinks, etc. The waiters made my friend feel very special on her birthday! Thank you so much Cafe Amaro!!

    Antipasto, Arancini, & Prosciutto and Fig pizza
    Silvia H.

    Cafe Amaro will continue to be our cozy nook in the North End that we can't help but stumble into on a chilly day. On both occasions, we were tempted to snack on the antipasto and taste some wine. In our most recent visit, we invited the whole family for a wider variety of appetizers and brick oven bites. Our favorite recommendation was the pistachio martini which indulged us into the spirit of the holidays. Whether you're looking for a quick drink, or a lengthier lunch lounge spot, cafe Amaro has an inviting warmth for whatever you're craving.

    Great food and atmosphere! We had the caprese salad and linguine, which was fresh and flavorful. Highly recommend!

    Pistachio martini
    Shelley B.

    Café Amaro was the first place we dined upon visiting Boston. It is a small café located in the North End. The seating which opens up into the street was inviting a bit like being in Italy! I cannot say enough about the pistachio cocktail I ordered. It was delicious. We also ordered the margarita pizza, which unfortunately did not meet my anticipated, expectations,. The server was attentive and accommodating.

    Frank B.

    Cute decor. The pizza crust was very good, but the fillings were disappointing. Red sauce had no seasonings and the margarita pizza had little basil. Rigatoni was a bit underdone.

    Update: I'm now probably pushing 20 visits to Cafe Amaro and it is my new official North End go to. Went last night and everything was amazing as usual, AND they had a nice Sinatra mix playing. Can't wait to go back!

    Washing hands part (the word)
    Philip J. H.

    I had plenty of time to kill between buses so I wound up here & this place did well. I did a margarita pizza with sausage on it & it's good but it seemed when I tried to keep it it seemed to fall apart in the middle area but it was still delicious. Atmosphere was with Motown music & few other things. Service was good deeming it was an open space & little breeze from outside came in but sometimes it's an asset.

    Marsala

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    3 years ago

    What an amazing experience. The food was amazing and the service was exceptional with Bryan L. We can't wait to go back!!!

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    amazing food, definitely recommend if in the area, great service and nice little calm restraunt

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    Haley Henry Wine Bar

    Haley Henry Wine Bar

    4.3(248 reviews)
    0.5 miDowntown
    $$

    I've been a loyal fan of haley.henry for years and have recommended this spot to countless friends,…read moreso I was really excited to finally bring a new coworker here. Unfortunately, this most recent visit didn't live up to the high standards I've come to expect. While a few dishes hit the mark, the majority of our order was a letdown: Tinned Octopus: Surprisingly chewy and lacked seasoning. Mushroom Toast: The texture was rubbery, and the flavor was completely drowned out by an aggressive amount of balsamic. Beets: Had a very overwhelming cumin flavor that threw the dish out of balance. Roast Beef Slider: Served cold and felt a bit uninspired. It's such a cute, intimate space, and I've had so many wonderful nights here in the past, but the execution was just off this time around. I'm hoping it was just an off night, but it was definitely disappointing given how much I usually love this place!

    Haley Henry Wine Bar is a solid spot for a relaxed but elevated wine night. I went on a Wednesday…read moreevening without a reservation and had no problem getting seated right away for a table of two, which was a great start. The wine selection is excellent and thoughtfully curated -- whites, reds, bubbles, orange wines, and more, so there's truly something for every palate. My friend and I both ordered a red, and it was absolutely perfect. Our server was super friendly and attentive, and she even offered a few samples so we could try before committing to a full glass, which we really appreciated. For food, we shared the hot dog with fried oysters to pair with the wine, and it was surprisingly delicious and a fun, elevated bar bite. Overall, the experience was fantastic -- great wine, great service, and a comfortable atmosphere. Pricing is definitely on the higher end, with wine glasses around $20 and the hot dog at $14, but the quality and experience justify it. I'd absolutely come back for another wine night.

    Photos
    Haley Henry Wine Bar - Inside

    Inside

    Haley Henry Wine Bar - Cheese & charcuterie - the pistachio butter is unreal

    Cheese & charcuterie - the pistachio butter is unreal

    Haley Henry Wine Bar - Cheese & Charcuterie - such a perfect small bite!

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    Casarecce - Mozzarella Caprese

    Casarecce

    4.3(498 reviews)
    0.0 miNorth End
    $$$

    I just had the best chicken parmigiana I've ever had in my life…read more I've been living for 23 days in the Boston area and have had a lot of Italian food. We were a little nervous as they weren't busy like some other restaurants in the North End, but my family and I were pleasantly surprised with how just solid food the food was! They make their pasta fresh in-house and it's just amazing. Their chicken parmigiana was not dry or overcooked. Their spaghetti and meatballs was classic but not basic tasting. We had 4 of us eating dinner and it was all so good! Their menu isn't very big but they rocked everything we ordered. PLUS - they are one of few places in the North End that are actually pretty handicap accessible. There's a ramp to go in the front door (most have a ledge or stairs) and the restroom is on the same level, not downstairs like other places. My child is in a wheelchair so we take note and appreciate the efforts.

    This is a cute place in little Italy in Boston and a great spot if you are looking for a small,…read morecozy dinner. This place had some of the best Italian food I have had. I had the mushroom ravioli and it was delicious. So fresh, so flavorful and the pasta was delicious. The staff was attentive and helpful. We ate here on a Friday night and had a reservation which I highly recommend as it was packed. We had to squeeze by folks to get to our table and the back of my chair was hitting the person behind me. It made for a high energy environment with a lot of hustle and bustle, but if you are looking for a quiet, intimate dinner than this may not be the place. Overall though the food was really good and I still think this is a solid option in Boston.

    Photos
    Casarecce - Cozy but delicious!!!

    Cozy but delicious!!!

    Casarecce
    Casarecce - Pasta time

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    Pasta time

    Giacomo's Ristorante - Boston - Fusilli with lobster and shrimp

    Giacomo's Ristorante - Boston

    4.1(4.5k reviews)
    0.1 miNorth End
    $$

    You might accidentally walk past this cute Italian ristorante...and you would regret it. I walked…read morearound the area for a while before settling at a table by the window in Giacomo's. I was quickly greeted and informed that they were cash-only dining. But fret not, for just inside the doorway is a perfectly placed ATM. It took only a few seconds for me to pinpoint the exact item on the menu that my stomach was craving and my eyes fixed upon...Antipasto for an appetiser and chicken Marsala for the entree. The antipasto dish arrived very quickly and was a beautiful layout. Of course I desired to save some room for the entree but ended up eating about 3/4 of the appetiser before it arrived. The chicken marsala was absolutely perfect, still steaming on the plate as she placed it before me. I told myself I would only eat half the dish and take the rest back to my hotel for snacking later. However, my taste buds are not allow me to stop feasting on this Italian delicacy. If you're ever in the area, don't worry about the other Italian restaurants in the downtown, although I am sure that they are well and good, but Giacomo's is well worth your consideration. My only regret is that I only have one more night here to try another one of their delectable dishes.

    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.

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    Giacomo's Ristorante - Boston - More menu

    More menu

    Giacomo's Ristorante - Boston - Frutti di Mare Linguine

    Frutti di Mare Linguine

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    Panza - Linguine Carbonara

    Panza

    3.8(1.6k reviews)
    0.0 miNorth End
    $$

    First time at panza excellent food and service. Great portions and prices were good. I would make…read morereservations. I'm going back again.

    I just had one of my worst experiences at a restaurant in a very long time. Unfortunately, we were…read morelate for our reservation, but I had called 10 minutes ahead of time and kept the restaurant up-to-date the entire time. At no point did the restaurant indicate that us being late was going to be an issue. Ever. I know how hard it is to get a reservation in Boston so I was being very conscious about making sure they knew and apologizing profusely. They could have cancelled. Or told me they had to move the time They never did. When I got there, I was told the Wait wpuld be a few minutes.. fine That makes sense. 20 minutes later, I had to ask how long it would be to get a table and that I was met with a woman named Stephanie who then told me we don't hold tables and it was nice of you to call but we can't hold a table for with that information on a Friday night in the north end of Boston. She was soooooooooooooooooo Nasty about it. I could've easily made another reservation at several other restaurants. Or walked across the street instead of standing there. Due to her unnecessary behavior and the lack of communication from the restaurant, we went to a restaurant on the corner, which we could've done at Any given point had anyone communicated with me the way I communicated with them. Line out the door and I did not see them talking to anyone in line. , shame on them for having such attitude Don't go here they're rude After 6 hours on a plane And a car ride that was supposed to be 20 minutes that turned into 40 That's not how you treat a customer that truly went out of Their way to communicate and give the restaurant courtesy. Their communication should have been up front from the beginning. This woman was so nasty. We left. Went somewhere else. Which we could had done earlier. Do better

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    Panza - Interior

    Interior

    Panza - Bruschetta

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    Panza - Cheers to spending time with my son!

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    Cheers to spending time with my son!

    Cafe Amaro - italian - Updated September 2026

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