A violinist came and played to us at our table! Definitely a first for me. That....so cool, so fun, so memorable. We had a reservation for Cantina Italiana and ended up having to wait over 30 minutes after our reservation time due to some kind of complication in the front of house. Obviously not ideal, but it is what it is. When it was our time to eat, it was worth it. The food was absolutely delicious. I had anticipated leftovers but we both ended up eating all our plates. The beginning of dinner we could hear a violin playing, but chalked it up to the music within the restaurant. Come to find out mid meal, it was an older gentleman actually playing the violin, coming around to the tables. It added to the Boston date night perfectly. There is not great/much parking at the establishment so you can either pay their valet, or park in a garage and walk over. With Boston being a not far drive for Western Mass, we definitely plan to go back! read more

Cantina Italiana - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Came here with some friends for dinner. Here's the deal: Pros - Service was 5 stars. All the staff was super nice and atentive. Compared to other restaurants in the North end this was above and beyond. Excellent. Cons - Food was absolutely brutal. I got the chicken with vodka sauce and it was horrible. It had 4 pieces of Rigatoni and the chicken that was about 3/8 inch thick and overcooked. The sauce tasted like a cross between BBQ and Buffalo wing sauce. On top was two slices of cheese that looked like Kraft white American cheese singles. When they brought this to me I thought it was a joke because it looked like a school lunch. The Cantina was a good place at one time, a solid choice that was always good. I don't know what has happened to here and the North End the past decade but it is shameful. read more

10000/10! My boyfriend and I were riding BlueBikes around Boston for the day and stumbled upon this little gem! The staff were lovely and the food was even better! We got the Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Pizza and it was probably the best I've ever had. We got some nice drinks too that came in the cutest glasses and were delicious! I would definitely be back!! read more

Great service and delicious food! The veal chop parmigiana and the veal scallopini were both amazing. Fried zucchini blossoms and arancini were good apps and the chopped salad had a really good dressing. The booth was very tight for 4 people and it was so loud inside but otherwise good experience. read more

Cantina Italiana - veal chop parm & veal scallopini - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The food was so good and super filling. Our server was amazing, she constantly checked on us and was so kind. I couldn't decide between the bolgnese or chicken parm and she suggested I get the chicken parm and bolgnese pasta. So I was able to get both and didnt have to decide between the two. The restaurant has valet and parking if you can find it. The establishment is very nice, its not that big but spacious if it makes sense. Everyone isn't sitting on top of each other or feeling crowded. The service was great, got our food fast and had desert as well. read more

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I struggled about whether to give this restaurant three stars or four stars. I think what inevitably made me choose three stars is the fact that the bartender was on her phone texting for a minimum of five minutes when we sat down at the bar and never even acknowledged our existence. I remember because I looked at my watch and time was just ticking away ticking away. My husband had the lasagna, which was extremely tasty, but not necessarily as hot as it should've been. I got a dish with rigatoni, chicken and broccoli in a white sauce. Truly thought that it could've been served much hotter than it was. In addition we had eaten at another Italian restaurant in the same street two days prior and they had fresh grated Parmesan on top of your dish. At this restaurant, we got one of those shaky bottles you get at a pizza place. Not what I really expected for meals that were $30 plus a piece. read more

Orazio Makes This Place The North End has no shortage of Italian restaurants. What it has a shortage of is people like Orazio. Within the first five words out of his mouth I knew this would be a different kind of night. The guy is a flat out showman who operates at a level of enthusiasm that is genuinely difficult to describe and even harder to forget. But here's the thing. He never made it about himself. Every bit of that energy went toward the kitchen, the food, the homemade pasta. He talked up everything around him with such genuine pride that you couldn't help but get caught up in it. And yet somehow he became everything about the evening. The food was exceptional and lived up to every word he said. If you're heading to Hanover Street, Cantina Italiana is the stop. Ask for Orazio. Some people are just built for what they do, and he is one of them. I asked for a photo on the way out. Take one look at that smile and you'll understand everything I just wrote. read more

Cantina Italiana - Orazio! - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Food: 4.5/5 Service: 3/5 Ambiance: 4/5 I got the truffle gnocchi and I thought it was fantastic, but not sure this translates to all dishes. Service was super friendly and welcoming but very slow, got seated pretty quickly which was nice, but took maybe 20min for our order to be taken and maybe another 20min to have our dishes come out. Ambiance is cool, kind of Italian family style with some tributes to Italy in its interior design (murals, framed photos and decor, etc). Found this place just roaming around north end, good eat for stop in! read more

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Fantastic service and attention to detail. Our waiter Omar was so friendly and quick. The food was absolutely delicious. We enjoyed the sunday gravy, spaghetti and meatballs, and rigatoni alla carbonara. The presentation was nice and the sunday gravy was to die for. My only complaint was that the carbonara was a tad too salty. Unfortunately, I don't live in Boston, but I wish I did so I could eat here again! read more

The best, freshest pasta I've ever had. I had the lasagna which melted in my mouth. My wife loved her shrimp fettuccini and even the bread was great. I absolutely loved this restaurant read more

Cantina Italiana - Shrimp fettuccini - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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This is my 3rd time coming here and the food does not miss! One of the best thing on the menu! The food is really good and the customer service was great. read more

Cantina Italiana - Bombolotti Alla Buongustaia - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Absolutely loved our experience here! We came on a Sunday for lunch and there were people around but it wasn't too busy, and we got seated right away, which was a win. We started with the bruschetta and it was soo good. The cheese was slightly melted, the bread was perfectly toasted, such a solid start. They also brought out a free bread basket and I swear it was some of the best bread I've ever had. Super fresh, warm, and just really, really good. I got the ricotta ravioli for my main and devoured it. There were five big pieces, stuffed with ricotta, and the tomato sauce was so good I kept dipping the bread in it. My friends got the pesto pasta and chicken parm. I tried the chicken and it had this nice smoky flavor. The vibe was great, cozy and authentic, and the service was quick and friendly. Overall just a really solid spot. I'd totally come back! read more

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Went Xmas night and as expected was packed. Had a reservation and was seated close enough to our scheduled reservation. The service was good with someone to make sure water and bread were on the table quickly. I will say the bread is just a throwaway. Wish if they were going to serve bread it was served warm. As it was served tasted like stale bread sitting out for a while. We were a party of 3 and all enjoyed their dinners. I had pasta And clams with olive oils butter sauce. Was very solid presentation with perfect al dente pasta. Wife has her fav spaghetti and meatballs and loves it all and she is picky on this dish. Finally son had pasta and sausage with broccoli and white wine sauce. He loved it. Really enjoyable experience and solid Italian in the Northend. read more

We asked a lot of people for good restaurants in the North End and everyone says they're all good. Cantina Italiana is one of those places. We came here on our first night in Boston. It was Memorial Day weekend and super crowded everywhere. The wait was not too bad and this place was bigger than the smaller restaurants. My son loved his bistecca alla pizzaiola, filet mignon medallions topped with marinara, garlic, oregano, parmigiano and basil. It was prepared just the way Tony Soprano would have loved it. The breading for the eggplant Parmesan was not crisp, but the whole eggplant parmigiana was smothered in cheese and tasted delicious. I'm use to frying up the breaded eggplant, layering it with sauce & cheese and baking it with parts of the eggplant crispy when served but that doesn't seem to be the norm. The Pasta on the side was their signature homemade bombolotti. It had a nice firm texture and was sauced just right. The first half of the gnocchi was so good, the perfect texture, soft and seasoned just right. We didn't eat fast enough and near the end they were kind of mushy. It was busy and service was fine for a busy place. It was warm inside. Dress in layers. I was down to my tank top here. This is a super nice Italian restaurant. read more

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Loved that they had several vegan options clearly marked on the menu. Gnocci, ravioli, antipasto, and soup. The bread was also vegan. Staff was very nice too. read more

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8 of us made early dinner reservations after wanting Italian food and heard good things about this restaurant so decided to try it and were glad we did! Both my wife and I split the Pasta Bombolotti and a Caesar salad and while both were good, she loved her salad. The restaurant is in Little Italy and was packed about the time we left after an early dinner. Omar was an excellent server making sure we all had what was ordered and following up while we were eating to see if we needed drink refills or anything else. All 8 of us liked our meals, some a bit better than others, but all would recommend eating here. read more

I was visiting from LA stopped in for a great meal. Very nice restaurant, customer service was great. Good atmosphere. Definitely recommend read more

Cantina Italiana - Shrim Spaghetti Allo Scampo - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Best meal we have had from start to finish in 2026. Omar was absolutely fantastic and attentive. He gave us recommendations, provided alternative substitutions and ample time to enjoy our meal between courses. We never felt rushed or forgotten. My family of four left quite satisfied! The Antipasto appetizer was delicious. The Arancini balls were a perfect size and texture. The Sunday Sauce special was a perfect combo of the house made pasta, a sausage, meatball and Braised short rib. I chose the vodka sauce and I was so happy I did. The Lobster Ravioli was delicious and substantial. The eggplant parm was such a treat. Perfectly breaded and layered with a delicious sauce. The pesto was just right. To round out the meal For dessert the Tiramisu was the winning vote and it was light and flavorful. This was a meal to remember! read more

Last minute dinner in the North End brought us to Cantina Italiana. Service was friendly but slow. Martinis were very tasty- limoncello martini was refreshing and balanced with the right amounts of sweet and tart. Dishes were pricey but portions were generous. If recommend the fusilli rabe e salsiccia- a bit spicy but tender and packed with flavor! Atmosphere was outdated and cramped, but did have a sense of nostalgia. read more

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Stopped by on a whim when my favorite restaurant was full. Very glad we came here. The service was welcoming and very attentive. Nice cocktail options. We had the stuffed zucchini which was a special and it was delicious served on arugula and cheese. The bolognese was extraordinary. Large portion. I had the chicken w prosciutto, wine sauce, and mushrooms. Came w two large pieces. For an extra charge of $7 you can add a choice of homemade pasta so I added gnocchi and it was perfect. We will definitely return. read more

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The food was good, but the inside of the restaurant was so cramped I genuinely couldn't put my elbows above the table without hitting someone. We were sat in the farthest back corner booth and eventually had to ask to be seated at a different table because it was so uncomfortable. The drinks were delicious and our server was lovely. read more

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Food was great! The stracciatella on the bruschetta & pasta was so yummy, will definitely be going back. read more

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Cantina Italiano is one of our favorites in the North End. We went with a party of 5 last Saturday at 4:45 pm after booking on Open Table. We were seated immediately. The place was bustling! Always amazes me how deceptively large the interior restaurant is. Our server, Fatima, was a true delight! She was always smiling and described the dishes, including the specials, with great detail. All of their pastas are homemade except the spaghetti and one other type. They are know for this homemade Bombolotti pasta which I highly recommend. It's like a big rigatoni with a wagon wheel inside. Lots of pockets to catch the very flavorful sauce in the Bombolotti Buongustia dish! Don't let the goat cheese on the dish deter you. Three of our 5 diners ordered this and we al swooned over it! Our partners who regrettably didn't order this dish, looked over with envy after stealing a bite or 2! It was that good!! We also started with the meatballs-3 hefty balls easy to share and the prosciutto and the burrata special. The second best part of the night was an amazing red wine blend called Sella Antica. So good we had to get 2 bottles. Can't wait to return! read more

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My boyfriend and I had our anniversary dinner at Cantina Italiana last night and we loved it! Neither of us had been before so we were excited to try a new spot in the North End. We found parking just two blocks away. We were sat in a booth and I liked that we had a little more privacy, as many places in the North End can feel too crowded. They had a man playing live music which was lovely, and there was a good amount of chatter so the space felt lively for a Tuesday night. We were waited on quickly by our server Viviana, who was so sweet and knowledgable about the menu. They provided bread and oil, but I had to ask for salt and pepper, which they brought over with no problem. I ordered a glass of prosecco rosé for $13, and my boyfriend and I decided to try the meatball app for $18. It only comes with 2 meatballs, so not a great plate for sharing, but they were delicious! Came with enough sauce to dip my bread in, too. For dinner I ordered the Spaghetti Allo Scampo (shrimp scampi). It was fantastic - a little more lemony than I first expected, but you settle into the flavor quickly and it is a hug to your mouth. Creamy, perfect amount of butter, and the shrimp are plump and fresh. I would absolutely come back for this plate. I had leftovers for lunch today and it heats up so well, literally tasted like it first had last night My boyfriend ordered the Rigatoni Arrabiata. It has a hint of spice that's subtle but pleasantly builds as you eat. The sauce was robust and flavorful, and the pasta was cooked perfectly. We both really loved this plate, too. Overall I'd say Cantina Italiana is worth the visit. The staff is super friendly and hard working, the food was amazing, and they have clean bathrooms and parking nearby. It's also just a block away from Caffé Vittoria and Mike's Pastry if you're looking for a different spot to hit for dessert! Definitely a new go-to for me read more

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Delishious chicken parm with vodka sauce 9/10. First time eating here. Have only been to the bar. Large portion of chicken with only a couple noodles but was plenty of food!! Bread comes with olive oil at the start. Espresso martini was 8/10. read more

Cantina Italiana - Vodka Parmigiana Chicken - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Second time here, and I can't rave about it enough. The food was delicious, the staff was amazing, and the atmosphere is loud & fun. Our waitress, Fatima, was fantastic. The frutti di mare is not on the menu, so ask for the specials. This is my favorite dish in the entire world right now. And a shout out to Orazio, our waiter the first time we were here, for coming by and talking to us quick even though they were extremely busy. read more

Cantina Italiana - frutti di mare - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The atmosphere and the service was awesome. The food was like eating at any Italian grandmothers house. We started with a great bottle of wine and appetizers that were beyond compare. I had the veal Saltimbocca and it was delicious. My son had the veal parmigiana and my wife had the chicken parmigiana. We also had an order of the Gnocchi which was also delicious. We topped it off with a great spumoni bomba for two. Phenomenal is all I can say. read more

Cantina Italiana - Spumoni Ice Cream Bomba - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

My food was amazing and the waiter was really nice. I got a delicious pasta with vodka sauce. Overall a great place the only issue I had was that the complementary bread was cold and the restaurant was quite noisy during the evening. read more

Cantina Italiana - Vodka sauce pasta - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Alla vodka 10/10 so good great pasta shape choice Pomegranate poinsettia drink was delicious!! Orazio our waiter was AMAZING!!! So nice and fun, lovely service!!!!!!!! Great playlist as well read more

So I'm not going to fib, Cantina Italians has been our "go to" spot for close to 20 years when we're in Boston but tonight was another home run. Great food and service but the highlight was the Cadillac margaritas by Ernesto. Some of the best I've ever had. Don't let this guy go. He's a superstar!! read more

This place is elegant with dim lights, perfect for a night out. Very welcoming and professional service. Now the food is phenomenal, you can taste the freshness in the seafood and is great in flavor. This place is a must when going to Boston read more

Cantina Italiana - Bombolotti with Lobster Fra Diavola - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Had the opportunity to visit this establishment, and it's a gem! Reserved a table for 6, arrived 15 minutes early but the host sat us early as we were on our way to a Bruins game. Our waiter's name is Omar. Couldn't have been any nicer, friendlier. He took 6 different orders, never using a pen or pad, remembered each order, placed correctly each order to the right person. Impressive. The food was out of control delicious! Every guest loved their meal. Topped it off with an espresso and made it to the game on time. This is definitely my new go to restaurant while in the NORTH END! read more

The only reason for the 4 stars is the pasta I had wasn't great. I would consider it average. However, the service and everything else was wonderful! As a solo traveler I was having a hard time finding a spot and thankfully found one at their bar. The bruschetta was definitely good and wish I had just stuck to that. The bartender was knowledgable and I really enjoyed the white wine she recommended. A family next to me recommended the pistachio martini and I'm so glad they did because I loved it! Great staff, great service, would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone! read more

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Came here for after-dinner drinks and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The ambiance is intimate and welcoming, exactly what you want for a late night cocktail. Michelle behind the bar was incredible: attentive, genuinely kind, and clearly knows her craft. The espresso martini was amazing (one of the best I've had), and the service went above and beyond, they even walked me to the bathroom, which says everything about the level of hospitality here. A regular sitting next to us mentioned he moved to California and still comes back specifically for this bar. That alone tells you how special this place is. We'll absolutely be back. read more

This place was amazing! They have a great menu with a lot of options. We got sat immediately for an early dinner, and the service was excellent. The food portions here are HUGE, we were so impressed! My parents split a pasta dish and a salad and they still left with full tummies. The boys got the lamb and that was a ton of food. We were highly impressed, would recommend to anyone and will definitely be back. read more

We came for the air conditioning, but everything was delicious. Some of the best red sauce we have ever had. Then Alfredo was not on the menu, but they made that for my daughter and the server was so accommodating. Great in all ways, I highly recommend. read more

Cantina Italiana - Bombolotti Alla Buongustaia - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Food was great and service was 10/10! Our waiter was able to provide us with recommendations which ultimately exceeded our expectations. I had the Rigatoni Americano and my friend had the Lasagna Al Forno. The Rigantoni Americano sauce was very light and filling, which I appreciated. Ambiance of the restaurant was fun and also relaxing. read more

Cantina Italiana - Lasagna Al Forno (top) Rigatoni Americano (bottom) - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

We were a foursome on Jan 2. the waiter obviously liked his job and was very friendly. Our big mistake happened early, when we ordered 4 Negroni and he asked if Hendrick's was ok. I had looked at the menu when we first arrived, and the cocktails were priced at $17. I assumed Hendrick's was the standard Gin they poured in Negronis. When we got the final bill, there was a $4.00 surcharge for the $17 Negroni. I consider this a rip-off. On to the food. The appetizers of arancini and fried Zucchini flowers were very tasty. The pasta with clams had nice clams but the sauce was too salty.Lobster fillet ravioli was good. The veal dish my friend ordered was excellent. Desserts were quite good. read more

Service was great. Very friendly staff. Attentive. Food was great! Authentic. It's listed that they have AC, which is rare for restaurants in the north end, they did not have the AC on and it was a little too warm. So, if it's summer, plan accordingly. It was nice outside, but the lack of flowing air made us not want to stay too long. Obviously, that did not impact my review, though. Would go back in a heart beat! What we really liked about it is that they are open for lunch! read more

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After an evening stroll through Boston, my husband and I were looking for a place to eat and saw online that Cantina Italiana was still open. Deciding to give it a try, we made our way there. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, but what really stood out was our waitress--she was incredibly warm and welcoming. The hostess, though, seemed a bit tired. Long day, perhaps? Hope you're doing okay, girl. Our food arrived promptly, within 10-15 minutes. I went with the spaghetti allo scampo, while my husband opted for the bombolotti alla boungustalia. The bombolotti was a little thick, bot sure if it needed to be cooked more-- but we thought it was okay. We both found the scampo to be the star of the meal--the lemony flavor was absolutely perfect. I'd order that scampo again. The sauce stays with you, making you somewhat eager to taste it again--however I wouldn't hesitate to try other places! Parking is horrible, by the way. but at the same time I wouldn't hesitate to try other locations in the area. read more

Cantina Italiana - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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