Good but freezing in the restaurant. No coffee or cappuccino. Sad but true. Italian food was good, not great. read more

Found this little gem in the North end. Enjoyed the small plates and the pasta. Wine was excellent and the hostess let me sample a couple until I found what I liked the best. Good ambience and friendly service as well. Will be checking them out again in the near future read more

Wow this place is super good! The menus are so unique with little areas where you can draw and see the notes of those before you. The seating in intimate but in a really good way. They staff was fun and gave great recommendations. To start we split a Caesar salad that was dress well, had a nice balance of toppings to leaves, and came out very fast. We were then served our pesto with shrimp and lobster ravioli. The pesto was good, the sun dried tomatoes were flavorful, and the shrimp was cooked perfectly. However, I wished the pesto was either stronger or creamier...just needed and oomph. The lobster ravioli...amazing. It was creamy, had a solid portion of lobster and shrimp, and that sauce...I could have drank it. I definitely recommend coming here but book a reservation because it's very popular! read more

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With all due respect the food was just not good.. had high expectations but was let down. Had the chicken parm and the sauce was like watery tomato and the pasta wasn't cooked well.. The service was unfriendly too. But after looking at these reviews and what's worse looking at how the business has responded to reviews. jeez, terrible service. You're in the service industry. Do better. read more

This is great spot for cocktails. My wife and I came here on a weekday night before dinner. We both opted for the Dungeon Master and rolled the dice to decide which cocktail we would have. We did two rolls and each cocktail was excellent with great flavor. The service was friendly and prompt. She stopped by our table each time after we started drinking our cocktail to tell us what was in each one. It's in a cozy space with small tables and an all wood interior. read more

absolutely one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. The drinks are so fun and a hit everytime. Love the game they provide that forces you to try out so many new drinks! Also the vibe of the restaurant is so cozy and is amazing for dates read more

Don't understand how anyone could give this place below 3 stars. Ive been here a few times and love it , especially the bar. You do need reservations as it's pretty small. Will always come back. Make sure to roll the dice and start a punch card. read more

Parla - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Great spot for a funky menu and a great brunch!! Loved the Benedict's but the lobster was eh, would try something else! Freshly squeezed OJ was also a hit!! Very fresh!! Food quantity was slightly small for the pricing but the vibe of the place was very cute!! Wished the fried chicken was thicker though, felt more like a parm read more

Parla - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Parla was a great time! We sat at the bar and Martin took excellent care of us. Cocktails were creative and tasty. I enjoyed being able to pick from a variety of flavors for my drinks. My partner and friend decided to roll the dice (they were braver than I) which was fun to watch. Cool vibes, highly recommend if you're in the North End! read more

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One of the coolest bars you will ever experience...and some of the most fun drinks...the menus are so much fun...give this place a try ...you will NOT BE disappointed read more

Awesome food and if you are looking for creative cocktails Parla is a must. Feeling frisky roll the dice and let the mixologist whip something up! read more

Parla - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

We popped in when we saw two open bar stools to kill some time before a dinner reservation. We were happy it wasn't too crowded since it was Friday night (this place is tiny). All the staff we encountered were really great and bartender - really welcoming. Come here for the experience! From tossing and flipping cups to the outstanding old fashioned mustaches, this place is really unique. We tried the Dungeon Master game, where you roll a legit metal 20-sided dice across the bar for a surprise $15 drink. I rolled a Smoke in the Sunshine and it was good! I may not have picked this on a list so I'm happy it pushed me to try something new. We'll be back next time we are in Boston! read more

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Great drinks, ambiance, and food. The Brussel sprouts were really good. Definitely roll the dice to pick your cocktail read more

Parla - Birthday shot - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Just as every review says, this place serves up truly outstanding and memorable cocktails. They are in the top 5th percentile of drinks I've ever tasted! The best part is there's something for everyone and each drink I finished tasted great. What also makes this place extra special is the uniqueness in how the online drinks menu is organized - it has a charming visual aesthetic and features fruitier "shrubs", more traditional drinks, and there's an option where you can roll a dice to get a mystery drink! It's really unique and distinctive - I have never seen anything like it. They also serve food! The food is delicious and varied but not executed in the same league (as it is extremely difficult to be) as their excellent cocktails. The ambiance is charming and service extra attentive. Last but not least this place is very COVID conscious and has a very well organized QR code-scannable online menu. read more

Had the arancini and rolled the die. Everything. I had was quite tasty. Staff was kind and clearly enthusiastic, which always makes for a fun experience. I have nothing negative to say, I will be back to work on filling my card as soon as I'm able. read more

It pains to me write this review as I really wanted this to be my post btone weekend brunch spot. We have now been twice and experienced horrible customer service. Like the kind that leaves you scratching your head bad. Visit #1 - have a reservation for six. Show up and tell one of the employees. They start setting up the table. In walks a group of six people clearly friends with one of the employees, owner maybe?, (fist bumps and all). They looked at us and one girl asked the main guy friends with the employee if they had to wait because we were ahead of them and the guy turns and looks at us as and laughs and says no he has this. Guess what happens? The table that was being set up for us is given to them. No apology, nothing. The guy friendly with the group feigned ignorance about us having a reservation and having checked in. We had to wait for another group to leave to sit down. Food was good. The cocktails were really good. Visit #2 - have a reservation for three. Check in, and are asked if we were the party of three that called in to see if they could accommodate four. Not us. The restaurant is 75 % empty and we aren't seated. The employees seemed to be scrambling trying to figure something out. Finally we are offered a two top and told they will add a chair. They blamed their reservation system for not mapping out all the seatings. We left. Please remember the restaurant was 75% empty and several four tops were open, which, I assume, one was being saved for the the other three person group that called to add another person. Maybe I am delusional but it is my opinion a business establishment should treat all customers with welcoming and respect. Apparently this is not a motto adopted by Parla. Both brunch visits were met with reservations either not honored nor treated with kindness and respect. No apologies or remorse more of by the guys delivering mess ups but rather indignation we would assume because we had a reservation it means we would sit down. We eat out all the time but have gotten the message we are not welcomed here. **If you are looking for an amazing brunch spot with killer cocktails head to Alcove you will not be disappointed and will always be welcomed (even without a reservation). SO SO GOOD!!** Two stars for the well crafted cocktails. read more

Parla - Bee sting julep - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Really great breakfast for two. Quick service and yummy food at a reasonable price and a great location. Ask for seating outside if it's a nice day! read more

Parla - Fried Chicken and Waffles - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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This place is small. Seating is available but somewhat smooshy. Also the PROPORTIONS ARE TINY. I got the Maine Benny and the meal came with 8 slices of potato and 4 slithers of lobster. 4/10 Management is nice tho! read more

We loved rolling the dice to get a mystery drink! Definitely do it with a few friends so you can switch drinks if you get "unlucky". Of the 4 total drinks we got every one was yummy and unique. They also give you a card that you can hold on to, to try to check them all off! We wish we lived in the area to do this again, and again, and again. The bar tender was very nice, maybe the nicest person we met in Boston read more

Parla - The glass was made to look like it's tipping - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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This was my third time coming to Parla this summer!! It's a small, intimate type of restaurant with good food/drinks/service! I've tried their housemade pappardelle, lobster ravioli, and risotto di mare. All of them were really yummy. I'm usually not a ravioli person, but their lobster ravioli wasn't too much for me. Highly recommend the housemade pappardelle! For drinks, they have a mystery menu where you roll a dice of 20 sides to get a drink from their secret menu. I've tried 2 so far and would definitely go back to try more! read more

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We came here for drinks and dinner last night and it was a great time! The lobster ravioli was very good but the best part was by far the espresso martini. SOO good. We also enjoyed the polenta appetizer! Would definitely come again! read more

Reviewing: cocktails and calamari (bar) There are only four stools at this tiny bar, so even though most of the time when I walk by there are a couple open seats, remember that it only takes two couples deciding to go there on a whim before all four seats are gone! I was lucky on a Wednesday night to score two seats at the bar. First - the vibes are GOOD. This place is a cozy gem that feels upscale inside while also feeling intimate. The bartender, having only four people to serve (and orders coming in from tables) was very attentive and seemed to be in a good mood, chatting it up with us from time to time and telling jokes. The cocktail menu contributes to the interesting and fun atmosphere, which is filled with the drawings and notes of previous customers on blank pages leading up to the actual menu. They were hilarious and some were actually beautiful. It made a very fun ordering experience. The actual menu is very witty and fun in and of itself. There are great drink suggestions and descriptions of flavor notes, and funny remarks about the drinks. It definitely has the full-on cocktail bar thing going for it, because at the end of the menu it says that if you're not sure or want to try something new you can have a talk with your bartender who will ask you some questions and figure out what is right for you! Fun! The calamari was good (not spectacular) and prices for the apps were reasonable. The cocktails are pricey, as expected (two cocktails and the app ran me about $40). I would definitely come here as a novelty if I had visiting friends and family in town, or wanted to have an interesting night out for drinks rather than the typical boring bar experience. Definitely would be a GREAT first date, and fun for smaller groups of people celebrating a birthday or something like that. check it out! read more

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We were told we had to eat brunch here by a local and thank goodness we did. This place is fantastic and has a great craft cocktail list as well as food. My wife and I both had the Maine lobster Benedict and that dish is amazing. read more

Parla - Lobstah Benedict - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I love the dungeon master program! It's so cool. You get to roll a 20 sided die and whatever it lands on is the cocktail you have to try. We got a couple of them and had mixed opinions. Number 17 we didn't like but number 3 was really good and fruity! Very fun playing along. read more

We had a great after dinner experience at Parla. I only wish we would have come for dinner. We sat at the little bar and had a couple drinks each. I wish I remembered the bartenders name because he was amazing. We first tried a drink from their menu and it was really good. But then we chatted with the bartender, told him what we like and made each of us a drink that was amazing. Next time I'm Boston I'm coming for dinner! read more

We dined at Parla this past week and I am thoroughly impressed. Our waitress Shailey was so kind, approachable, and attentive. The drinks were fun and creative which was the main reason we decided to make reservations. However, myself and my guests were blown away by how delicious the food was. Everything from the appetizers to the main courses were amazing. We highly recommend stopping by if you are in the North End of Boston. If you're to scared roll the die - ask them to make you a drink tell them exactly what you like and don't like and you will get a special surprise! read more

Parla - Bar exterior. - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Visiting Boston for the first time we were told the best Italian would be in the north end. We tried googling places to find a reservation but it was late (9:30) and things were shutting down. The hostess was able to seat us last-min and I'll just say-- the food, drinks, and vibes were on point. I am still thinking about the pineapple-hibiscus margarita and lobster ravioli with shrimp scampi dish I had. read more

Awesome place! Service was a little pushy however they definitely knew how to make a good drink. They were also quick with food and drinks. Honestly every drink we ordered was delicious but the espresso martini was what's really gave this place 5 stars. Be aware, if you miss your reservation it is $125 fee..yikes. read more

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Very difficult to get into without a reservation but well worth if it you can get in. Lots of unique drink options

The food and ambience were fantastic! You can't go wrong with anything you order off the menu. And the choose your own adventure, roll the dice for cocktails is such a fun spin. read more

Parla - Appetizers - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

This is probably one of the most unique bars I've been too in Boston! If you are feeling really adventurous - you NEED to get the Dungeon Master - you get to roll the dice and the number that gets rolled is the drink you get & no take backs!! You also get a card to keep track of the rolls/drinks you've gotten! You can even write in or draw in the menus - cool to see what other people have written about! Very awesome experience! read more

Parla - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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The food is amazing, we tried the ricotta fritters, beef meatballs, fresh burrata, and the pork belly chips. They were all delicious! There service was also amazing. We did the dungeon master drinks and it was fun to try something new! read more

Out of all the craft cocktail establishments in Boston, Parla is by far my favorite. The drinks are amazing: everything served both on and off menu is balanced, fun, complex, and delicious. While that may be true for other bars as well, what really sets Parla apart from the rest of the Boston cocktail scene is its amazing atmosphere and staff. The eclectic, hipster-chic feel of the bar kept me intrigued and satisfied while sipping my cocktails, so much so that I didn't once feel the need to distract myself with my phone. The bartender was energetic, friendly, and fun, and I felt like a regular even on my first time there. I ordered three drinks, one classic daquiri and two from the "dungeon-master challenge" (a must-do for adventurous drinkers looking to spice up their cocktail experience), and each of them was so good, I could've drank it all night long. Best of all, when I went to settle my tab, they gave me a free pickle-back (whiskey with a pickle juice chaser), and the bartenders all took a smaller version of the shot with me! I'll be coming back here again for many weekends to come. read more

We came for drinks and snacks in-between meals and we really enjoyed our little adventure here. Initially we were going to order the staffs picks of cocktail drinks, but the website advertised the dungeon master cocktails. They pull out a 20 sided die which you roll to decide which mystery drink you can order. Our drink flavors were funky to say the least. I don't want to spoil the surprise for people wanting to try the dungeon master, but they're definitely not drinks you would see at any other bar. Minus 1 star for our server who kept rubbing his nose while he talked to us and served our food and drinks. read more

Parla - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Swanky cocktail spot with a HUGE variety of cocktails to choose from. They really have something for everyone's tastes. The housemade shrubs are super interesting and make for a unique drink. Located on Hanover St in the North End, Parla's ambiance somehow skirts the line between an upscale spot and a hipster speakeasy. The drinks are expensive for their size, but you're paying for the quality and not quantity. (Read: don't expect to get drunk here). The outdoor patio seating is really nice right now since the indoor area is rather small. One important thing to note is that if you make a reservation, they *will* require you to order meals (not just apps), or a surplus of drinks. If your intentions are to just grab a drink and app before dinner at one of the other North End restaurants, you need to come put your name on the list instead. read more

This place was a great find! Ordered the beef tips (rare) and spaghetti carbonara. The beef tips were ah-mazing. When I said rare, they cut the cow, showed the steak what a stove looked like and slapped it to the plate. It had so much flavor! My daughter loved the carbonara. I would recommend this place! Also, the drinks were awesome. The bar tenders are up for making you delicious random concoctions. read more

Parla - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Found this place randomly on Google maps while searching for cocktail bars, website and reviews looked good and they had an open reservation. Score! Showed up, hostess seated us quickly, all good. Ordered a drink and glass of wine, some pork belly "chips". The drink was good, one of the house shrubs, but not out of this world. Got our pork belly, ordered chicken parm and the carbonara, and another cocktail. The pork belly was tasty, but really inconsistently cut, which made for some randomness when eating it (super crispy or chewy) due to the various thicknesses. Ordered a second drink, and that's where it got weird. I don't know how to explain it, but it felt like we had offended our server somehow, the vibe of the whole meal changed. Yes, not very specific I know, but both my wife and I commented on it to each other. The second drink was fine, again nothing game changing but drinkable. The chicken parm was not great, chicken was over cooked and rubbery, only saved by the pasta sauce. The carbonara was good, but definitely too much cream (sauce overload). I was surprised when my plate was cleared with 2/3rds still on it that there was no question about the food, but that's not required. Ordered one of the random dice drinks for the last one of the night, it came out and was tasty, but no explanation of what I was drinking. I know it's random, and that's part of the deal, but no explanation at all of even base spirit and flavors? We walked out of the restaurant feeling mostly underwhelmed, things were good but not great, the food was inconsistent, service was fine but we felt like we were a bother, and the drinks were good but not exceptional and a little weak. We didn't hate our time but it's not a place I'd revisit. I should note the couple seated next to us were obviously regulars, and received markedly different service. Not unusual for regulars obviously, but made our experience feel underwhelming. read more

In my opinion the best cocktail bar in Boston proper and certainly anywhere near downtown. If you're at all a drinks nerd, the Dungeon Master will keep you busy for months. You will drink insane habanero, meat infusions, and some just plain delicious things too. What sets these guys apart is that they have a cordials license, not a full liquor. As a result, their palette is made much more of infusions, bitter liqueurs, and other weirdness. I feel like that's forced more creativity. I've left Boston, but this is where I return to when I'm in town on business. Regular drinks menu isn't bad either, BTW. It's an intimate place, so ask questions of the bartenders. Food is Italian heavy, as you'd expect from the North End, but also many Greek influences. Don't get the salumi plate, it's the most boring one I've ever endured (speck, prosciutto, and dill havarti???). Almost everything else is solid. The fried Brussels and anything with the labneh are especially winners. But mainly, the food is there to soak up your booze. Ambiance is the other winner here. Like most North End, it's tiny and intimate. Great place to take that special someone. They are gruff at first, but the servers really warm up if you talk to them. Bonus tip: if you really like bitter, ask for a "tumbleweed". It's in the off menu Dungeon Master book. I might've helped invent it. read more

I was very lucky to be invited to the soft opening of Parla this weekend. Keep in mind that my review is based on a private party type setting -- I'll have to come back and eat here on a regular night after it opens this week! This space holds about 25 people total, so definitely plan on making reservations if you want to dine here. Parla is a speakeasy with an Italian twist -- what I love is that it's a more modern take on Italian food. The atmosphere is really awesome. I've been to a handful of old-school Italian restaurants in the North End...and even if their food is good, the design and style is very dated. Parla is fresh and kind of funky. Love love love the decor (especially the rustic wood accents/shelving all over and the cool bathroom wallpaper). I ate here with 3 other people, so we were able to all order different items and share. We ordered drinks from the bar first -- (4) total drinks ended up being about $40, so this is definitely a date-night place and not a "let's just crash somewhere and get drunk" type of location. No bread on the table at this place--they give you an amuse bouche to start. Ours was a mini caprese salad on a spoon. Pretty sure the mozzarella was burrata. YUM. (We did think that bread WITH the meal would have been nice--you need a way to soak up all that delicious sauce off the plate!) For starters my table got the bone marrow, beef tongue crostini, goat cheese + eggplant, and the burrata frittata. I didn't try the bone marrow, but the other three were really delightful. The burrata was my favorite. For main entrees I got the lamb shank fettucini, which was by far my favorite of the table. Filling but not gut-busting. A lot of delicious hunks o' lamb, and the pasta was delicious. My boyfriend got the chicken, and the other two ordered the lobster ravioli and quail egg carbonara. Everyone LOVED their meals. For dessert we all shared the two options -- the chocolate tart and the panna cotta. I had one bite of the panna cotta, and it was the only thing that disappointed. I didn't like the consistency...it was kind of jelly-like instead of creamy. The tart was delish and I ate it all up. Also should be noted: the drink list is REALLY creative. I had an old fashioned (my favorite drink ever), and they use fig-infused bourbon. UM, AMAZING. All in all, I would definitely come back to Parla. I think it's a restaurant that will require a little planning ahead with reservations, but it's worth the trip. This is a great place to take foodie friends that don't want same-old same-old Italian pasta. Va bene! read more

Parla - Delicious! - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Fantastic restaurant. With the addition of the street patio, there's a lot of space and a great authentic North End ambiance. Great service and an interesting selection of cocktails with delicious food. read more

Parla - Fried Brussels and Arancini and calamari - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts