Ciao Roma

I just came here for the clam chowder, but if you have to try one thing on the menu, it's this. One…read morelarge mug literally filled with chowder spilling over with generous amounts of clam and potato and just the right Chowda consistency. I had it as a snack, but it's hearty enough to be a meal honestly. The staff are friendly and they got the chowder out quickly while it was steaming hot. Would definitely drop by this spot again for the chowder! And it's a great location near the wharf too!

Chill ambiance with views of the harbor. The wait time can be quite long. We waited about an hour…read moreand a half for a table. I ordered the warm Lobster Roll and New England Clam Chowder. The lobster roll was a solid 3/5 stars but the clam chowder was the star of the show. Easily 5/5 stars... I would go back just for that. It was so flavorful and packed with clams.

Inside

Clam Chowder

See all

New England Clam Chowder

Neptune Oyster

4.2(6.8k reviews)

0.1 mi•North End

This was one of the best meals I have had in a while. The space was quaint, the staff was attentive…read moreand the food was to die for. We will definitely be back when we get back to Boston.

Food was amazing and the staff were great as well! As a local, we come back over and over because…read morethe food quality and the staff are so consistent Highly recommend!

One of the few lines worth standing in + oysters of the day

Monday - Lobster Spaghettini

See all

Woodbury Littleneck Clams

Giacomo's Ristorante - Boston

4.1(4.5k reviews)

0.0 mi•North 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.

Wait wasn't too long on a Friday night…read more I enjoyed the texture of the fusilli and it certainly was a hearty bowl of pasta. Beyond that though, nothing remarkable. Portion size was decent although prices are not cheap (just entree alone will be minimum $30). They specialize in seafood so the only protein options that weren't seafood were chicken or veal. There weren't too many apps that caught my eye, particularly lacking veggies. Service is on the ruder side. They automatically add 20% tip to your bill.

More menu

See all

Open dining room

The Daily Catch

4.1(2k reviews)

0.0 mi•North End

My favorite Italian in Boston, no competition. Cash only!…read more The Daily Catch's original location in the North End on Hanover St is one of my favorite places to take first-time visitors to Boston. The calamari, squid ink aglio olio pasta, and clam pasta have been my go-to orders since I found out about Daily Catch a few years back. My favorite bite has to be some of their bread dipped in the delicious garlic oil from the squid ink pasta with a bit of the garlic chunks and squid bits. It truly brings me joy. My friend recently recommended I try their shrimp scampi, either as an appetizer or as a pasta dish. This will definitely become part of my regular order - the shrimp are so plump and they're smothered in this savory, rich, garlicky sauce that is simply to die for. All in all, I can't recommend this place enough. Can't speak to their non-seafood options, but when it comes to seafood pasta, there is absolutely no competition. For ambiance, it is a bit tight in there but think of it as your classic mom and pop Italian restaurant, who treat you with such hospitality and kindness like an Italian nonna - quick and easy service

It was a decent experience. It's a popular spot, so wait time was quite long on a Sunday evening. I…read moreknow adding reservations might take away their neighborhood charm, but it could be a better trade off considering the space is tiny. The food was good, but nothing special given the price. Raw clams were fresh and the Frutti Di Mare was great. I typically order fried Calamari, but decided to try the salad this time. That was my mistake as it was definitely not my preference. Overall, this probably wouldn't be my go to spot, but I had a good time. Our waiter was friendly.

Kitchen

Fried Calamari

See all

The best meal I had in Boston. Get their world famous Lobster Frav Diavolo!

Carmelina's

4.5(4.5k reviews)

0.0 mi•North End

Attentive service and food is outstanding. We are repeat visitors to Carmelina's whenever we are in…read morethe North End. We made reservations months in advance and chose the 11:30 time as we had a tour booked for 1pm. Chefs kiss to Carmelina's for having an amazing restaurant and ambiance.

Great food and delicious excellent customer service and the drinks were yummy. Parking was a pain…read morebut still Im happy to give it 5 stars.

0.6 mi•Waterfront, South Boston

Bolognese

See all

Grazie @foodieauthority Spicy Shrimp

James Hook & Co

4.2(2k reviews)

Family-owned & operated

101 years in business

This place was highly recommended by friends who live in the area and i can totally understand why!…read moreOne of the best lobster rolls we've have in boston. There is so much lobster meat in the roll that we were struggling to take a bite. The mac and cheese also had a lot of lobster meat! Every bite had more lobster than mac. Both were very delicious! Crab cake was also yummy and a decent size especially given the price. Lobster bisque was okay, the clam chowder was definitely better in our opinion. You can order from both the truck and inside the trailer. If you just want the main items (lobster roll and soups), the truck would probably be a quicker option. If you want the specialty items like the crab cake or mac and cheese, you could only get that inside the trailer. Overall service was super quick, so i would choose based on what you want to order. Also plenty of seating available. Most are outdoor under an umbrella but there are a few enclosed areas next to the truck. Staff is very quick to wipe tables down so the turnover is super fast.

On our second full day in Boston, we stopped at James Hook & Co as we were in the area, and we were…read moretoo hungry to wait half an hour until the other nearby restaurants opened. The place isn't really a sit down restaurant -- inside there are some stools around a bar, but they did have a nice outdoor seating area under a tent. I had the lobster bisque and my husband had the clam chowder, which were $10.99 each. The soup was quite filling, but it was only so-so, and I was a little disappointed. I would maybe give the place three stars, but I was not impressed that the washrooms were port-o-potties out in the back. At least they flushed and there were plastic sinks with running water, not just hand sanitizer. But having to use a port-o-potty just before eating... yuck. [Yelp collections: Boston, MA 2025]

The 3 pounder

Lobster meat by the lb.

See all

Clockwise: lobster Mac and cheese, lobster bisque, clam chowder, 2 regular lobster rolls

North End Fish Market

4.4(406 reviews)

0.1 mi•North End

The BEST. Seriously you can't beat the quality and the price. Note that this is a take out only…read morespot, so if you're getting it be prepared to find a spot to eat (I personally like going to Columbus or langone park). I've been going here for years and it is consistently delicious. My favorites are the Tokyo roll, lady in red, spicy girl, pats roll, spicy tuna, volcano..ok pretty much everything is good. I order online and my food is always ready quickly and picking it up is a breeze. Since it's take out only it's never too crowded inside, so it's cool to see them prepare the rolls. Highly recommend, this place is the best. Beats any fancy sushi place

All the sushi I ordered was fresh and so good... first time trying.... will definitly go back. .read more

1.0 mi•Waterfront, South Boston

Takeout only, no dine in

Lobster Roll Clam Chowder Combo

See all

Spicy Tuna (left) & Lady In Red (right)

Row 34 - Seaport

4.2(2.1k reviews)

This place didn't miss. Every item I ordered I'll dream about in the next few weeks and be sad I…read moredon't live here to eat it all the time. Salt n pepper shrimp Watermelon salad Blueberry buckle and butterscotch pudding 10/10

Popped in for some oysters and AC. Crushed 3 different kinds. Don't remember what they were called…read more Kinda tasted all the same but I also put a tablespoon of horseradish on them all. Waiter told us which ones his favorites were but I also don't remember what he said. Was pretty cooked from all the comicon people walking around outside.

Great ambiance for a date

Warm Buttered Lobster Roll

See all

Local Caught Jonah Crab

Pauli's

4.3(1.8k reviews)

0.1 mi•North End

Pauli's is where I go in Boston for good and affordable lobster rolls. I like to get the hot…read morebuttered lobster roll for $32. The order comes with chips, but can be upgraded to fries or onion rings for an upcharge. If you have at least a group of 3, you can order the USS Constitution (28 ounce lobster roll) for $120. I'm also a fan of the Paulitician (chicken cutlet with prosciutto). The sandwiches here are delicious and a good portion for the price. Pauli's is always really busy, they do have some sit down tables and seats, but it's cozy.

The girl with the clear acrylic glasses gave me the worst service in Boston,…read more We ordered a hot buttered lobster roll and garlic fries. When I ordered, we had a conversation of how much we both liked garlic fries. They bring out plain fries and then wouldn't switch it out for me. Then the girl said I didn't order it. So I reminded her of the conversation and she said we talked about garlic fries but I never ordered it, wth? Then she gaslit me and said it's only fries, nothing to get upset about. Bad service, worst lobster roll and stale fries. No thank you.

Interior

LOBSTA ROLL

See all

Cold lobster roll (3.5/5)

Next Door

4.0(112 reviews)

1.1 mi•East Boston

Immerse yourself into a hidden world at the Next Door Speakeasy. This bar is small, but perfectly…read moreintentional. We absolutely loved the vibe and the service that we received. The cocktails were great! Between the two of us we got a gin based drink (purple rain) and a rum based drink (lock & key) and some truffle fries. We loved our drinks, and our bartender- absolute top notch service! This place can get busy, so you'll need reservations and you'll need a password to get in. They've been open for about five years, so if you haven't ventured in yet, definitely put this place on your list! Lentz_explore

Cute! Definitely makes you feel like you're in a different state. Had Thursday even reservations…read more A perfect 10 min walk over if staying at the airport Embassy Suites, so you don't have to search for street parking. Host was very pleasant upon checking in. Once instructions were provided the waitress was also very considerate and friendly. I would start here drinks only. Drinks were good. Desserts tasted store bought. Great place for couples or groups. Small seating area holds ~25. Just 8 stools at the bar. That's it. A small intimate space but worth experiencing the creative drinks.

Interior soft seating

Salmon crudo

See all

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

9 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Katy O.

7 years ago

Cute look from the outside: striped red/white Italian awnings and the pink bar stools in view through open windows made us excited before we even walked in. Started with a limoncello martini (delicious) meatballs (good) and shrimp scampi (ok). Pasta is all handmade, I tried a bite of my boyfriends Bolognese and it was so good. He mentioned it was probably the best he's ever had. I got the Veal Marsala. It came with a huge bone in piece of veal which was a nice surprise. The sauce was delicious and came with a huge portion of their handmade pasta. Only complaint was the portion was a little on the huge side - but not super overpriced. We were going to go to Bricco for espresso martinis after dinner, but the waiter really sold us on theirs. Will have to do a side by side at some point but willing to say this is one of the best I've ever had! We'll definitely be back and can't wait to visit that cute bar again! read more

Elly F.

1 year ago

We had a great time at Ciao Roma! The atmosphere was warm and clean, the food was absolutely delicious, and the drinks were top-notch. Service was friendly and attentive throughout our visit. One area for improvement would be staff knowledge of drink ingredients. I have food allergies and asked what was in the Phony Negroni mocktail, but unfortunately, our server couldn't tell me much beyond "some kind of juice." It would be helpful if staff were a bit more familiar with what's in the beverages. I also tried the orange honey bruschetta, which wasn't my favorite next time I'll stick to a more traditional option. That said, we still had a great experience overall and I would definitely recommend Ciao Roma to others! read more

Steve N.

7 years ago

Really enjoyed this one. Charming place on a charming corner of the North End. Had family in town and they were able to accommodate our party of 8. We started with caprese, calamari, and beef carpaccio and all were unfussy and well done. For dinner we had one of almost every pasta on the menu and those were great too. Our server said they make the pasta in-house daily and it was cooked perfectly al-dente. Standouts were the bolognese, limone, carbonara, and chicken parm. Definitely one of the better options in the neighborhood and will be making it a regular stop when we visit the North End. Grazie! read more

Robert A.

3 years ago

Service was terrible. From other reviews we had seen it seemed like it would be great and attentive, so possibly it was just our sever, but we only saw her once the entire meal. Thank god we ordered our drinks, appetizer, and food on the first visit. Another server had to deliver our check because she "went on break." My girlfriend's vodka pasta was amazing as was the bruschetta, but the cavatelli was extremely over salted. Probably wouldn't go back. read more

Mr H.

2 years ago

I came here with my wife, and the manager here gave me hope that not all restaurants lost their hospitality service. He was nice, attentive, and helpful. Our waiter was great too! The food was delicious, and the drinks hit the spot! I can't wait to be back! This was a great experience read more

Jimmy W.

258

6 years ago

Mamma Mia, feels like your in a piazza in Italy! Food and wine were delicious, the service was delightful, and the ambiance sitting outdoors in the square reminded us of being in Europe. Reservations definitely needed for outdoor dining as they were packed (but socially distanced!). read more

Jm M.

3 years ago

Took my wife here for dinner, we had an amazing time. Beautiful location in the heart of the north end, amazing food and drinks! Highly recommend! read more

Erin M.

Elite 24

337

3 years ago

The food was not very good but the decor was very cute. Nice server. Nice drink menu. read more

Naomi B.

3 years ago

This restaurant is amazing! The arancini was so delicious.

Ciao Roma - italian - Updated September 2026

People who viewed Ciao Roma also viewed

Cafe Amaro

4.4

(88 reviews)

Most amazing pizza in Boston and even Italy. We had the fig and prosciutto pizza. WOW!read more

Very disappointing experience. To be clear, I understand that bringing outside food into a…read morerestaurant is generally not permitted, especially when they sell desserts themselves. My issue was not the policy, but how it was handled. We walked in carrying a Mike's Pastry box in plain sight, placed it on the table, and ordered two amaros and a Coke. The waiter greeted us, saw the box, and never mentioned the policy. We then opened it and began sharing a cannoli with our 3 year old son while staff could clearly see us. A few minutes later, a large group walked in. I heard the person who appeared to be the manager or owner comment to the staff that we were "three people for two tables and only two amaros." Shortly afterward, our waiter was instructed to tell us we could not eat the cannoli. Had someone simply told us when we arrived that outside food was not allowed, we would have gladly put it away or gone somewhere else. Instead, nothing was said until after we had ordered and our son had already started eating. The staff later explained that this happens frequently because Mike's is directly across the street. If that is the case, communicating the policy when customers arrive carrying outside food seems like a simple solution. The policy is completely reasonable. The communication and customer service were disappointing.

Bricco

(1.6k reviews)

Decent, not bad, so many options here in Boston, this was a rec from the rental car guy haha…read more Espresso martini was bomb probably best thing we got 9/10 strong and flavorful Berry cocktail was ok, 7/10 prob would skip next time Ricotta pillows were good! Wish it had more protein solid 8.5/10 Filet minon valid, 8.5/10 Oysters were yummy wish they gave more haha 8.5/10 Fries were delicious and crispy Cheesecake was ok! The food took SO LONG. I won't lie. We got here around 7:45/8 and didn't get our food until like 9pm. Parking is TERRIBLE after 6pm omg. Permits or $40+ valet only, their website has parking garage suggestion tho so we did that!!! Overshoot your time to avoid a late fee

Bricco missed several marks and will not be added to my list of locations to return to…read more We made a reservation for later in the evening knowing that we wanted to experience the "must try" espresso martinis and notated in the comments that we were coming for drinks. When we pulled up our reservation to confirm the time, we found that it had been cancelled without any communication at all. After calling the restaurant to see if something had happened, the host commented that the manager decided to cancel because we had notated we were coming in for drinks. No where on the website or OpenTable app does it say this is not allowed. Nor did the manager reach out via text or call to confirm or follow up before cancelling. We had already decided we would be getting appetizers and possible dinner as well so they did allow us to rebook when we called to inquire. The waiter was attentive and the waters were kept filled which we appreciated. It is worth notating that the Ceaser salad is not a traditional salad and their version just shows you why it's a classic for a reason. The bibb lettuce was wilted and the heavy pour/toss of dressing did nothing but weigh the salad down and make it slimy. The "crispy ricotta polpettes" while great in theory, missed the mark of complimenting the salad and instead seemed like a cold hush puppy that was more cornmeal forward than ricotta. The real reason we came, the espresso martini still held our attention and we were hoping that the best was yet to come. We each ordered an espresso martini and while our preferences range when it comes to the perfect cocktail, we all agreed this was not the way to do it. This is more reminiscent of a liquid mudslide than an espresso martini (calling it that, is taking very creative liberty). Despite the glass being rimmed with espresso powder, the cocktail lacked the espresso profile we were looking for and the different alcohols used were all fighting to be tasted above the other. A disappointing experience and lack of professionalism by the manager.

Casarecce

4.3

(500 reviews)

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.

Nico Ristorante

(762 reviews)

For years I have dined in the North End and somehow never eaten at Nico's…read more A small resturant right on Hanover Street, so parking is a premium. You should make a reservation if its a weekend night. We went on a Saturday, were seated promptly at a glorious table. Service was beyond outstanding. The server, I think his name was Gerard, was outstanding. The meal moved smoothly. When we finished with the appetizers, those plates went away and the entrees came. Very professional. We ate the eggplant stack as an appetizer. Very well contructed. The eggplant was crisp and nicely seasoned. For entrees I had the cacio e pepe prepared at the table. The pasta was divine. Creamy, with a bite of pepper. Exquisitely prepared. My friend had eggplant parm, the portion was huge and was enough for three meals. As with many restuarants they do not serve desserts but Mike's is down the street. The ambiance is lively, and on a Saturday night, a bit loud. Overall, 5 stars -- if you want excellent service and food -- run to Nico's. Superb.

So I can't start this review without talking about Phil! He is THE BEST! What a sweet man! He made…read moreus feel welcomed the second we arrived. I was in Boston for a week on vacation. Phil recommended an appetizer, and we trusted his recommendation without looking at what it was on the menu. Let me tell you... Wowzers! It was fantastic! We got the Sacchetti. It is a stuffed shell with four cheeses in a cream sauce with a balsamic glaze and this dried fruit thing on top. I'm telling you... order this immediately! And ask for an extra side of bread to use to soak up all the extra sauce. We also ordered the appetizer meatball and it was the size of a softball. Also, very good. For our meal we got the Cacio e Pepe. Which is fresh spaghetti made in a large Parmesan wheel and as they turn it around in the wheel in making a cheese creamy sauce. It's made tableside. Then they drizzle olive oil on top with more fresh Parmesan grated on top. Literally chefs kiss times a million! So fresh and delicious! We even went back to this restaurant two days later because it was so good and we wanted to try another entree. Which was the Rigatoni alla Vodka. Superb! The small restaurant is perfect and even though the tables are close together it gives off a quaint Italian family style vibe that you can't help but love.

Limoncello Ristorante

(1.1k reviews)

Me and my husband came here after our wedding and it was amazing!!!! Such kind staff & amazing…read morefood. Meatballs to die for, delicious chocolate gelato & my husband said the tiramisu was the best on the block. thank you for making our night wonderful Limoncellos!!!

We were a table of 6 with two toddlers. The standard buttered penne pasta and house meatballs was…read morethe go to for the children, they ate it right up. We ordered a couple veal parms, lobster ravioli and the roset (house special). All were amazing and cooked to perfection. The veal parm was probably the best veal I've ordered from a restaurant, so kudos there. The bread service and olives were also a nice touch. Pleasant environment outside. It feels like you're on the set of Friends or something.

Prima

(209 reviews)

The food was top notch - great steaks and Caesar as an app! We had Tom as our waiter at a high top…read morenear the bar, he was an outstanding server and made our meal that much better. Cheers to Tom and great food !

Let me tell you about a horrible experience. Food took FOREVER and when it came it was dish water…read moreand mud, no personable customer service. handicap accessible only inside the walking entrance FYI. I called ahead to confirm that it was going to meet our needs and it did not. I wouldn't recommend this place to my worst enemy.

Pappare Ristorante & Bar

4.4

(82 reviews)

Ate here for the first time the other night with some friends who were visiting from California,…read moreand we all loved it! The service was perfect and the food even better. We all loved the appetizers (meatballs, chicken parm eggrolls (!) and La Caprese), our entrees (Cod Margherita, Lasagna, and Lobster Ravioli) and desserts (Volcano Chocolate Cake and Warm Cranberry Bread Pudding). There are a lot of places to eat on Hanover Street, but I highly recommend Pappare for the excellent food and service.

Tried Pappare for the first time a few weeks ago and very happy with the decision. We wanted to try…read morea new spot, and we happened to land on this one. Portions are just right in my opinion. Everything tasted fresh. Started arancini and bruschetta - both were tasty! Chicken parm with house-made pasta hit all the right notes. Shrimp scampi was very good, not overly garlicky, good size shrimp. Chicken risotto came with a generous portion of risotto and chicken cutlets in a marsala sauce. Saved room for dessert amazingly, and couldn't pass up the cranberry bread pudding, which was fantastic. Perfect balance of sweet and tart, with vanilla gelato to tie it all together. Will definitely return in the future to sample other menu items.

Fox & The Knife

4.3

(622 reviews)

Food is solid. The tagliatelle had excellent texture (thin, perfectly cooked al dente, chewy yet…read morenot doughy-- almost bouncy). Loved the filling in the tortelli. Broccoli Caesar is tasty, but probably would try something new next time. Focaccia is just as usual. Endive salad was interesting, but slightly salty and the dressing wasn't evenly tossed which led to disparate bites. Wished there was more pear to balance the salt. Kitchen is very small, so orders have to be put in at once. Recommend getting a reservation as it's busy. No parking lot so street parking only.

Carne cruda was suuuuuper good and I don't really even like tartare. Not too chewy. Great flavor…read more I feel like it could use a little spice but it was great... it might be nice to have to sit on the toilet tomorrow from too much spice tbh Also had the ravioli... it's why I gave this a 4 star not 5. It was small. It was fine. It was very light on the sauce In their defense she recommended like 3 other pastas ahead of that but I picked it anyways lol

Coquette

3.8

(324 reviews)

Nice place, and don't mind paying a premium, but didn't check the bill before paying it, and felt…read moreripped off when looking at it later. Iced tea... $8. For a glass half filled with ice. I could let that slide, but I was charged $8 for two refills. So paid $24 for my iced tea, $30 with tax and tip. There's no justification for that other than greed. I won't be bringing my family back.

This place was great, the ambiance is so picturesque, the staff very friendly and welcoming. The…read moreservice was amazing very attentive The meal was nonas buns and pozza at the table along with Fresh oysters yummy, and fries the drinks were flavorful I would have like a touch more alcohol however I recommend this place . I ENJOYED it and will return soon.

L'Osteria

3.5

(528 reviews)