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    Monica's Trattoria

    3.6 (645 reviews)
    PriceyItalian, Seafood, Bars
    Closed 4:00 pm - 8:30 PM
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Monica's Trattoria Photos

    Business Info

    MONICA'S TRATTORIA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Intimate
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Monica's Trattoria

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    Espresso Martini-YUM

    Always a great spot. Came here during a blizzard and they were open. I've kept coming back since!

    Chicken Parmigiana alla Vodka
    David G.

    Amazing food. Great suggestions from our server. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Beautiful place.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] A must when in the North End

    Pistachio Martini
    Kimbery W.

    First time here was August of 2023, came with my family for my birthday and we had a delicious meal and a wonderful time. Since then I have been back 4 times, with 3 of them being since March. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The bar area is where we sit usually and it is decorated so beautifully and I love all the old pictures of Monica and her husband and family members.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service has always been top notch and each time I have been to Monica's our bartender has been Matthew. He is absolutely fantastic! He's personable, friendly and makes an unbelievable Martini too! His family should be so proud of him for doing such a good job and representing his family so well. Next trip into the North End we will be visiting Vinoteca DiMonica but stopping by to see Matt for a drink first!

    Chicken parm with spicy vodka gnochhi Perfect carb loading meal while visiting for the marathon

    espresso martini
    Pete W.

    About time we tried Monica's Trattoria and it lived up to their reputation of top tier Italian. I get their homemade subs across the street quite a but so this was a highly anticipated visit. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Eating here felt special.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] There's a lot of people here that want you to have a great experience and are very personable. We were helped in picking our appetizers and the food was delicious. The pasta was al dente and the ragu and ricotta combo was incredible. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a tightly packed, vibrant, and comfortable restaurant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Dimly lit and the ultimate date spot.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] If you like Bricco you'd like Monica's.

    Parmigiana alla vodka
    Matthew H.

    Months after someone raved about this restaurant to me, I finally had the chance to stop by for a Sunday dinner with two friends. We had reservations for 6pm, and when were arrived the restaurant was indeed quite busy, but we were seated after just a short wait. I ordered the parmigiana alla vodka which was quite good! The pasta was really nicely cooked to a great texture (I prefer my noodles on the harder side) and the sauce was tasty - rich and not too heavy. Chicken had a nice overall flavour, but the breading was a bit soggy and at times it just felt a little sloppily prepared in terms of consistency throughout. My friends had the spaghetti alla carbonara and the fettuccine al nero con capesante. Carbonara was delicious - pancetta was really flavourful and complemented the creamy sauce - but was a tad too salty overall. Fettucine was also great - the squid ink pasta was well-prepared (and certainly looked fantastic) and the scallops were a highlight of the dish. Service, however, was lacking. Our server was not very attentive to us, and it took ages for us to get anyone's attention, be it to order, ask for water, get the cheque, etc. Overall, though, not a bad experience, and while I think a bit pricey for the quality and quantity of food, I think I could see myself coming again to try some of the other yummy pastas on their menu!

    Quattro formaggi ravioli! $26
    Kent V.

    Came here with high hopes and the food was good but for these prices we expected better service! The people filling our waters probably asked us if we wanted refills every 5-10 mins and looked miserable. Hostess that took us to our table looked underage and not wanting to be there. Other people coming around giving us bread didn't look happy either. I get it....times are tough with finding workers but these all looked either related or connected to the owner/manager perhaps? The 4 cheese raviolis was really good though! I enjoyed the sauce and it was not too heavy. Just the right amount of food. Others in my party had the Fettuccine al Nero di Seppia con Capesante and the Frutti di Mare con Fettuccine Nero. We all enjoyed our dishes...it was good Italian food but not amazing. The drinks were good and strong. Liked their old fashions! With so much competition in the area, I think the next time we come back, we will try another restaurant out. Took about 15-20 mins to flag someone down to get the bill.

    rachel m.

    10/10 - will absolutely be coming back! [[HIGHLIGHT]]As most of the restaurants in the North End, the atmosphere is quaint and cozy with exposed brick and the open windows in the summer time. Such a lovely intimate ambiance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our waiter was awesome, very attentive and kind. Everything we ordered was delicious, generous portions too. Incredible dinner experience.

    Table / without reservations near bar

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    7 months ago

    Good Thai food with the usual choices. Nicely presented with colorful plates. Try the Fresh rolls, green curry & pad Thai.

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    1 year ago

    The food. The food was generous and amazing. The staff was attentive. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere was incredible[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

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    2 years ago

    Our favorite go to especially with our kids. They always welcome our entire family and the food is delicious.

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    Page 1 of 17

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    Boston Sail Loft

    Boston Sail Loft

    4.4
    (2.1k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    If I could give this place more stars, I absolutely would. The fact that anyone has anything…read morenegative to say about Boston Sail Loft blows my mind. From start to finish, we had an amazing experience here. We ate here on Sunday. They open at 11:30am. We got in line around 11:00 am, and there were already dozens of people waiting in line for them to open . Around opening time, the owner came out and personally greeted everyone as they came into the restaurant. He was so friendly. He greeted passers-by on the street and talked with the locals. The staff was friendly and answered all our questions. They provided recommendations and offered suggestions. We sat at a window table and were able to see out at the boats. It was cute and quaint inside! I got a cup of the clam chowder. I 100% recommend it! They add dill and omit the pork, which made it so delicious! My friend and I split the fish and chips, and it was more than enough for two people. The fish was cooked perfectly and the fries (chips) were crispy without being too crunchy. We added a bit of pepper to our fish, and my goodness does that make a difference. If you visit Boston, want an awesome local establishment with delicious food and overly friendly staff, this is the place for you. This was my third visit to Boston and I'm so sad I didn't know about it sooner. It's a MUST.

    Went with a friend and waited an hour or so. The service was friendly and quick, the atmosphere…read morelively. The food was good, but not spectacular. The clam chowder was tasty but the Cajun Popcorn Shrimp was just average. Lobster was well prepared but halibut was slightly overcooked and mashed potatoes were bland. All in all, a decent experience.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Clam Chowder
    Clam Chowder
    New England Clam Chowder

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    Neptune Oyster

    Neptune Oyster

    4.2
    (6.8k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$

    A Boston must-try, Neptune's is a tiny restaurant (like, 20-25 people max seating) that will very…read morelikely have a line when you arrive. Unless you wanna wait an hour or so, it's best to arrive 30min before they open to beat the rush. It's incredibly cramped and rushed inside, and you may need to share a table with others if you're a smaller party. Food is quite pricey but well worth it. We ordered the oysters (they've got a variety so you can choose), clam chowder, lobster roll, cioppino, and johnnycake. Oysters were fine, but the clam chowder was absolutely dismal. Not sure what happened, especially since it's so highly rated, but it was extremely watery and almost completely unseasoned. It could've definitely used salt at the very least. If I didn't know it was from Neptune, I'd have given it a 2/10. To my relief, the lobster roll was the total opposite. Succulent, juicy, heavenly. It was like being in Maine. The cioppino was also very good. The Johnnycake was an interesting but fun way to end the meal. It's a sweet pancake-like cornmeal covered in a syrupy glaze and topped with smoked bluefish paste, crème fraiche and caviar. I've never had anything like it. Nothing was super overpriced, but I personally prefer next door (Paulini's), which is much cheaper and while it isn't as good, it also doesn't require waiting in an hour in line. However, I think Neptune's is definitely worth a try as long as you're willing to wait in line.

    This pains me to write because I love Somebody Feed Phil. So we tried it for this reason…read more Pros - the lobster roll, French fries and service. Cons - everything else. The johnnycake had way too much butter, couldn't taste anything else. The lobster tacos lost the lobster flavor. The clam chowder was watery and very little flavor. I am sorry to say it. I am glad we stood for an hour for the lobster roll, but everything else was not worth it. If you go, get a lobster roll. The cae bar looked like it might be good. But don't cart off the menu.

    Photos
    One of the few lines worth standing in + oysters of the day
    One of the few lines worth standing in + oysters of the day
    Wednesday - Fish & chips
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    Giacomo's Ristorante - Boston

    Giacomo's Ristorante - Boston

    4.1
    (4.5k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    The most authentic Italian I've yet to have. Feels like you escaped to Italy through the authentic…read morecuisine and friendly Italian staff. Ordered the prosciutto and pea linguine in the garlic cream and it was the most delicious pasta I've ever had! My husband ordered the veal in the white wine and continues to still talk about it.

    We ate here over New Year's while visiting Boston, and our first experience was excellent--the food…read morewas great, which is why we were excited to return during our visit this past weekend. Unfortunately, the customer service during our second visit was a complete disappointment. We arrived around 5:00 p.m., and the restaurant was only about half full. From the start, the service from an older waitress was rude enough that we almost walked out. I had forgotten my reading glasses at home and was having trouble reading the small print on the menu, so I looked at the menu displayed on the wall instead. The waitress suddenly took the menu from our table and repeatedly pointed to the paper menu, insisting that I use it instead. I explained that I couldn't see the small print, and only then did she drop the issue. When our food arrived, it felt like it was simply dropped on the table with no warmth or courtesy. We also witnessed another waitress respond to a customer who was unsure where they were seated by saying loudly, "Do we need to put up directions?!" in a sarcastic and embarrassing tone. It's unfortunate because the food is genuinely very good. However, no meal is worth being treated this way. There are many great Italian restaurants in Boston, and next time we visit, we'll be choosing one of them.

    Photos
    More menu
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    Frutti di Mare Linguine
    Frutti di Mare Linguine
    Tiny upstairs dining area with a great view

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    Tiny upstairs dining area with a great view
    The Daily Catch

    The Daily Catch

    4.1
    (2k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$

    I've been here several times now and The Daily Catch never disappoints. Love the food, great…read moreservice, and amazing vibes! I always will recommend their special that's sharable for two while my partner lives the black squid ink pasta. Either is a great choice though and we honestly get both despite it being way too much food every time. Calamari is solid too and everything tastes great. We always come right at open to avoid waiting given the small restaurant space, but it's always worth it. Just be warned they're also cash only as well!

    We were on the tail end of a long east coast vacation recently when we found ourselves in Boston…read morewhich overlapped with the World Cup festivities. Downtown was packed! On our itinerary was to do The Freedom Trail and have some pasta for dinner though I wasn't sure where. It turned out that we wandered through North End which had some incredible ambience so I decided we would eat an early dinner at The Daily Catch since it was a small place and due to the amount of people out and about. Fortunately we got in within minutes of waiting. My family wasn't exactly hungry but we ordered the black pasta aglio olio and the black pasta Alfredo. Given the small restaurant / just a few tables, the kitchen was highly efficient and brought the food out quick. It was fun to watch our dinner cooked as we were seated next to the kitchen. The aglio olio is something I could eat regularly. The ground calamari was unique and it was loaded with sautéed garlic. The best! I probably wouldn't order the Alfredo again personally but the kids liked it. Overall a great experience on a hot day. We were in and out fairly quick. Service was solid.

    Photos
    Corner seating with an open window
    Corner seating with an open window
    Fried Calamari
    Fried Calamari
    The best meal I had in Boston. Get their world famous Lobster Frav Diavolo!

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    Pauli's

    Pauli's

    4.3
    (1.7k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Family-owned & operated

    I got the Vito. Holy shit. This is the kind of sandwich that ruins all other sandwiches. I did…read morethings to this sandwich that are not family-friendly. Upon taking the last bite, I was sent back into the cold reality of the world, a reality in which I wasn't eating that sandwich.

    Pauli's is a casual sandwich shop in Boston's North End that has become well known for its lobster…read morerolls, while also serving a wide variety of sandwiches, soups, and comfort food. We walked into a simple counter-service space with limited indoor seating, the kind of place that feels more like a grab-and-go stop than a sit-down lunch spot. Even with its small footprint, there was a steady stream of customers coming in for one of the signature sandwiches, and the energy of the room stayed practical and focused on getting orders out efficiently. The lobster roll is the clear standout. We ordered one and found it generously filled with lobster meat, making it feel substantial compared to many other lobster rolls around the city. Whether you choose it hot with butter or cold with mayo, the focus stays on the lobster itself rather than overwhelming it with extra ingredients. The toasted roll added just enough texture without taking away from the filling. Although the lobster roll gets most of the attention, the rest of the menu offers plenty of options if seafood is not what you are looking for. There are oversized sandwiches, soups like clam chowder, and classic sides that make it easy to find something for different tastes. The portions are generous overall, making the prices feel reasonable considering the amount of food you receive. The service was quick and efficient, which fits the fast-paced counter-service concept. The staff moved through orders with speed, and the food came out without much delay. The biggest thing to keep in mind is the limited seating, especially during lunch hours or peak tourist seasons in the North End. If the dining area is full, taking your food to go or finding a nearby outdoor spot can be a better option. Overall, Pauli's is a great stop if you are looking for a satisfying lobster roll without an overly formal seafood restaurant experience. The generous portions, straightforward menu, and convenient location make it an easy place to visit while exploring the North End, especially if lobster rolls are at the top of your list.

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    LOBSTA ROLL
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    VITO CHICKEN CUTLET SUB
    VITO CHICKEN CUTLET SUB
    STEAK & CHEESE SUB

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    Monica's Trattoria - italian - Updated July 2026

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