Amazing service. Really went above and beyond with recommendations and complementary dessert drinks. It was a memorable experience! Got the Octopus, Eggplant Park, Ossobucco, and Grigliata, and they were all amazing. I will come back again! read more

This place was amazing!! loved the look and style. Coming from a Portuguese family, I'm use to seeing; just about anything on the menu. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw all the tasty dishes they had to offer! I have to admit I had been drinking heavy that night, Go Bruins.. LOL... so I opt out on getting a tasty pasta or Principale (main dish) plate, which I'm absolutely positive would have been amazing! The simple reason why I know; is the Wild Boar Meatballs!! I didn't know what I was in for, lets face it; its WILD BOAR! Once that plate came through the swinging doors that led to the kitchen, you could taste the AMAZING coming from those meatballs! I couldn't have ate them faster!! I'm pretty sure if the miss's wasn't there I would have! lol.. I guess long story long; This place is an amazing touch to the north end give it a try you wont regret it! read more

Went here on Valentine's day. The chef's menu was a little strange, but the regular menu had some solid options. The veal was delicious. Would go again. read more

They make great Italian food here. I always order pasta when I go to an Italian restaurant and this place didn't disappoint. Fresh and delicious pasta. Prices were acceptable. Good staff, nice look to the restaurant itself. read more

Our waiter acted put upon and rude after every request. We asked for some bread to dip in the mussel broth and he first questioned us and then brought one tiny slice of bread cut into 4 pieces. It was obvious that it was a jab. Have been to almost every restaurant in the north end and won't be coming back here. read more

I have been to Parla twice. The first time: the food was great but the vibe was NOT FRIENDLY. I am from NYC and if you're trying to be a hipster bar and restaurant with a quirky vibe, indifference is not a pathway to being in business in a couple of years. The second time: my husband and I were meeting three other people for a collective birthday brunch and we reserved a table with a high chair for a toddler online. When we arrived, they rudely told us that they have never had a high chair and basically suggested we leave. When I explained that there was a prompt via the online reservations system that asked if we needed a highchair, the manager denied it. He then also acknowledged that the request came thru but didn't apologize and continued to deny it... at the most basic, a phone call would have been sufficient to avoid an embarrassing situation and a highly inconvenient change of plans for us in person. I have worked in restaurants for over a decade and am empathetic to operations, but this was one of the rudest encounters I have ever experienced. So much so, that I'm writing a negative review, which I've never done. The manager with the handlebar mustache should be ashamed of his customer service and demeanor. Find another place to go. read more

To start - this is not your average Southie or South End yuppie bar. You will not get your generic vodka based drink here. I was curious to know what made them create such crafty cocktails, and it's because they have a cordials liquor license. So, some of the typical drinks that you might expect aren't possible here as they can't legally carry certain types of alcohol. However, this has to be one of the best kept secrets in Boston for cocktails. I went in just trying to escape the flurry of people outside, and I've gone here for a drink whenever I need a minute to unwind ever since. I played the Dungeon Master game and got some of the most creative, delicious, and interesting drinks I've ever had. It's not uncommon for a friend to go who claims that they 'hate' gin only to play Dungeon Master, get a cocktail that they love, and then find out it's gin based. The Dungeon Master game is really is a roll of the die (literally and figuratively), but it's not for the average Joe who wants a boring apple-tini. These are complex cocktails in flavors you've never thought of. So, if you have your heart set on 5 different versions of a Manhattan, this is not the game for you. If you're up for broadening your cocktail taste buds, then roll away! Most importantly, given the complexity of some of their drinks, it can take a minute for them to be made. It's just the nature of getting a craft cocktail at any bar. The food is also pretty phenomenal. Pork Belly Chips? Octopus salad? Muscles? It's all good! I've heard the desserts are great, but I love the cocktails so much I usually just have another drink instead of dessert. These guys are really accommodating given the small space. But, I'd recommend making a reservation if you want to make sure you get in. read more

Food was pretty good, not amazing. Service was atrocious and the restaurant was freezing. Host / server didn't seem to care when people were getting up to walk out before eating and was being openly condescending to customers. read more

Tiny tiny place. Servers were nice and knowledgeable. Went with a friend at 6:30 pm on a Friday night. We ordered 4 small plates, all of which were tasty:. Polenta with truffle mayo, cauliflower tempura with a Chipotle mayo, seared salmon with Israeli couscous, and butternut squash ravioli. We probably would have just fine with 3 dishes for a light but filling meal. Drinks were creative - we each had a "shrub" added to our cocktails - it was interesting, but I would not do it again. I'll go back, but I'll check the weather first - the a/c did not cool down the restaurant, making dinner very unpleasant by the end. I wouldn't go back if it was over 75 degrees out! read more

Excellent, clever cocktails, great food, and a really warm atmosphere. This is a tiny place on a busy touristy street, lively but quiet enough to have easy conversation. It is clearly run by people who love food, rather than just the food business. The menu isn't complicated, but the food is interesting and consistently good. The brussels sprouts with lemon were excellent. The seared salmon was very fresh and perfectly cooked. The tempura cauliflower, a pretty basic dish, was crisp and light, with an excellent dipping sauce. The waiter was friendly, attentive, and very accommodating. read more

I just went for drinks, but I think if you make a martini with blue cheese olives you should tell the customer BEFORE hand. I was taken aback that the bartender informed me that's all they had and did not offer to replace my drink. The flavor totally ruined my drink, and I couldn't finish it and the bartender did not notice. Not the best customer service especially when its not crowded. read more

My friend and I had such a great experience here tonight..Not only were the cocktails and food top quality, the staff was so accommodating and friendly. The space is very inviting. Will definitely try to come back here the next time I am in Boston, and would recommend to anyone going to North End for a quality Italian dinner. read more

We come to Parla fairly often because we live in the neighborhood and service is usually so so, but the drinks are always so good that it doesn't matter. Tonight was a particularly bad experience where the service was just plain awful. It was a pretty slow night and it took close to 20 minutes to get our drinks because the bartender and our server were too busy taking shots behind the bar to make drinks. My boyfriend has been doing the dungeon master and wanted to chat about the drink but the server couldn't be bothered and said "I'll tell you about this later" and walked away to sit with one of the off shift bartenders drinking at a table behind us instead. When it was time to leave we asked for the check and the server came over and told us the POS system was down and we had to pay with cash. No apology, just rudely said we need to pay with cash and made it seem like we were the problem. Then he printed out our receipt which was odd considering the POS didn't work. We scrounged together all the cash we had and only had a couple bucks left to leave for a tip. read more

Parla a nice change from the standard Italian fare in Boston, North End. Muscles,scallops, duck all delicious and beautifully presented. Chef very creative, refreshing ability to prepare favorites with a new twist. The only thing more creative than the wonderful food was the drinks menu...Sugared rims, pepper infused this! For my sweet tooth I would add a couple more classic desserts. However, Parla isn't trying to be classic and that's a big plus especially at this location. We had a fancy coffee drink instead. We enjoyed the music and atmosphere too. After reading some other reviews happy we had a fun evening with great service from staff who seemed to be having fun and well educated about what they were serving. A nice change from the "nice" Italian guys in the rest of North End. Make a reservation as limited number of tables, always full when we try to drop in. Will definitely eat here again...my turn to order the scallops. read more

Fantastic Italian Speakeasy, with modern influence. Great cocktails and even better bartenders and staff.

This place is great! Really cozy, a great spot for a date, where you can get good drinks, an appetizer, and 2 entrees all for under $100. Will definitely be back for more soon! read more

Was on Hanover st and was looking for a fairly inexpensive place to eat and found Parla on yelp. We decided to give it a try and was a little disappointed that it had a limited menu and was more like a bar but the moment I took a bite of my food, I was very pleased. The food was delicious and the staff was great. Would definitely recommend! read more

One of the better trendy restaurants in the North End. The pasta is fresh, the ambiance is up to par, and the drinks are amazing. Parla combines the trendiness of a downtown restaurant with the hearty feel of the North End. I'm here almost weekly, and each experience never disappoints. read more

I love the look of this place, especially the bathroom. Sort of a speakeasy feel. The cocktails were very good, but the food was kind of flat. Nothing special and a bit pricey. I guess that's to be expected in the North End. read more

I was wondering the street by myself and walked into Parla on a whim. They accommodated me at the bar and provided excellent menu advice and service. I started with a fabulous Fire and Blood cocktail, which has jalapeño infused tequila and blood orange puree. It was to die for. The food was absolutely lovely. The cucumber melon gazpacho with lobster was light, creamy and full of flavor. The squash blossom pastella dish had only two blossoms but they were beyond delicious - the batter was crunchy salty laciness and the inside was scrumptiously cheesy, and they dipped perfectly in the gazpacho. I was still hungry (the portions are tiny) so I ordered the polenta side dish with the truffle aioli, and it was soooooo good. All three dishes were superlative and the drink was superb, so I have nothing but praise for this quaint little speak-easy. The playlist kept me entertained as well. All good. read more

I was in Boston this week visiting my sister and we scrambled to find a place to eat on Friday evening. As we walked through the North End we noticed Parla, which is apparently relatively new. It looked real nice and cozy and the hostess was friendly. We managed to get a table for 4 pretty quickly and were intrigued by the menu choices (both for food and drinks). They had quite a nice selection of beers including ommegang and delirium. We started off with the oxtail appetizer and the polenta. The oxtail was slightly bland and flavorless but the polenta was quite nice. Our mains included the turkey roulade, the lamb leg pasta, the scallop pasta and the mix of seafood. I personally had the turkey roulade which was very dry and the crispy chicken skin around it was burnt. The Brussel sprouts were undercooked as a well. The rest if the dishes were mediocre and although the server was really nice, service was extremely slow. The place has potential with such a great location but the food is just not anything special. read more

This is a MUST visit in the north end service food especially drinks are without a doubt the Best . Paul our bartender so kind and surely makes a drink you will not forget ...not to mention great music too .!!! read more

I've been here a two of times for dinner, and both times the food and the service were excellent. This is not the place to go if you're looking for Italian "comfort food." It's Italian meets tapas. I ordered the polenta both times, and it has yet to disappoint. I've also had the burrata and the butternut squash ravioli, and both were very tasty. The drinks were winners too. This is a good date spot to split some small plates of Italian food. read more

A cocktail bar + Italian tapas is a great idea, but don't underestimate the entrees. It's a cozy, intimate place, serving good cocktails and good food. read more

I have NEVER written a review, but this boiled my blood. The "owner" / "manager" or whoever he was, was extremely unprofessional and for lack of better words, a complete jackass. My friends and I walked in and they told us last call was in 15 minutes ... so we all ordered one drink . Yet the bartender was basically pushing us out the entire time and rushing us. They charge 21% gratuity for a party of 5 or more which we had never heard of, and they did not inform us as we sat. There policy, actually, was 21% gratuity for exemplary service, which was so so so far from what we experienced. In fact, they threatened to call the police on us!!! I've never had to pay gratuity for a drink!!! Nevertheless, my bill was $25.60 for ONE drink. The bartender/manager guy was SO SO disrespectful and unprofessional.. As a matter of fact, he was whining and bitching like a baby and never once apologized. As someone who has been working in customer service industry for 15+ years, guess what? The customer is ALWAYS right! I will never go back to this place and urge you to consider your options. read more

This is the kind of place you want to celebrate with your friends. The food is great, drinks are great, and bartenders are great. The problem is that you will never get in when you want to. They really should swap tables for long high tables with tons of stools and standing room and cram a few more people in there in the summer. People get to the 4-person bar and stay all night and drag out their last drink, meanwhile I had a small party of four people ready to order a few drinks each and couldn't. The plates are more tapas style, so regular tables are wasted space. Maybe even a center bar and allow standing room all around would work. But for now, we don't even bother unless for some reason we want to go have a bite/drink at an odd time. People are passing you over because we think it's pointless to even try! There are other places nearby with great food and drinks and more seating, so it's not competitive unfortunately. I hope they will one day expand. read more

The setting and cocktails are great. The food is good but not outstanding and the wait staff acted as if this was their first day. Given the recommendations on line and from a friend, I was disappointed. I will certainly try it again as I did like the atmosphere. And also it is a start up place and think they are still working out the kinks. read more

Great experience. I made a reservation for two people and was seated right away. All of the staff was very helpful, answering all of our questions. I was even a bit cold and they turned down the AC to accommodate me - amazing. The cocktail menu is amazing! So many intriguing options. I ended up having the Atlantic City Smash (so refreshing and delicious; not very sweet but not bitter) and the Sacco & Venzetti (lovely and not too sweet). My friend had the Hangman's Noose (If you like gin, you'll love this) and the Avellini (very fruit and aromatic). For our dinner we had the braised oxtail arancini - they were great! I enjoyed how crispy they were. My only complaint is that I wish there had been more meat! We both had the bordetto, too. Very generous serving. All in all I think it was great service and I felt that I paid a fair price for a great evening. It's a small restaurant so I think better for smaller parties - dates, a few friends, etc. Definitely make a reservation if it's going to be a larger group. read more

Quality and creativity are the two words that come to mind after our experience at Parla. If you are a foodie then this is a place not to miss. Try the octopus appetizer and the flank steak. Both are superb. read more

No balance between the amount you pay and the food you get!!Lots of money for a very small dish. I paid 26$ for 4 small piece of chicken and I did not feel I am eating something special! read more

Not impressed with the food here at all. It's unfortunate because the I love the small, intimate atmosphere and the drinks looked good, but the food really just was not good at all and left us quite dissatisfied with a relatively large bill. With so many restaurants in the North End there is no reason to eat here. On the positive side, the service was great. read more

It was good but honestly $32 for one drink and two small plates where they were literally small is kinda crazy. Cute little vibe but barely any options. Plus the guy who works at the front is really creepy and awkward. Kept rushing us. read more

Excellent place for small apps and great drinks. Service is very welcoming and knows how to give an excellent experience.

A friend highly recommended this place, but it felt tired to me. Cocktails weren't well executed, and didn't come with the garnishes included on the menu. Same thing with the food. I ordered the ramen and the pork belly was dry and tough. I'm sure this place was great when my friend ate here months ago, but something changed. This restaurant had a lot of potential but fell flat. Would not recommend. At all. read more

Parla I wanted to love you with your enticing creative menu and your minimalist interior but you let me down. When I was first reading the menu online I was impressed and interested. I thought... Yes! Someone is finally bringing creativity back to the north end. I'll give them that, their plates were creative and had good ingredients, but lacked in execution. It was not bland, but close to it. I asked for espresso and there was about a teaspoon of coffee in my cup. My girlfriends coffee was cold. They also gave my girlfriend the wrong plate after a hour of waiting. I don't mind waiting for good food, but waiting for what we got was hardly worth it. I will return at a later date for dinner. I remain hopeful that they just had a bad day. But they need to clean up their act. read more

The food was delicious and the service was very friendly and fast. We came with four young children and felt very welcome.

Worst sangria I have ever had. Tasted like Hi-C and was very expensive. It even came in a dusty pitcher. Food was subpar as well. Won't be returning. read more

I will begin by saying that the drinks were amazing. What we were most disappointed in was the service we received. From the moment we walked in our server treated us in an awkward, cold manner. He sat us once 4 of the members of our party arrived. About 5 minutes later, 2 more members arrived. Upon asking if we could move a table so we could all sit together, our waiter declined our request and made our other party members sit separately from us. Once we got our bill, we tipped what we felt was an appropriate amount for just drinks, and what we would tip even if our server had treated us with more respect. Upon paying and finishing our drinks, our server then came up to our table and VERY rudely asked, "Was there an issue?" To make a party of 6 feel uncomfortable from the beginning, and then confront us for the amount we tipped him, was highly inappropriate and made us all feel very uncomfortable. On top of this, we shared our experience with our 2 friends who were not seated with us, and they had a similar uncomfortable experience with him. Again, while the drinks were great, the service was poor and I would not recommend going there until their service improves. read more

This is our 2nd time visiting Parla and it gets better and better with each visit. Chef Chris Mendonca is top notch. He is the epitome of what makes dining out something to look forward to. Everything he does is exceptional, whether it is paying attention to the detail of the food by only using the freshest of ingredients, the flavors, presentation or making you feel extra special. He heard it was our 7 year Anniversary so he made a special dessert for us and wrote Happy Anniversary on the plate and brought it out to our table himself. His desire and passion for the CulinaryArts is something that all chefs should look up to. If you are ever in Boston please make sure you take the time to head to the North End and check out Chris himself in action. Your palate will thank you!! read more

went on Sunday for brunch right as they opened. sat down at the same time as 4 other tables. as everyone begins getting their food we realize we have been waiting very long, so long, that the table next to us actually asks for their check. The waiter brought their check and ours, and we said actually we haven't even eaten yet! They realized now they never even put our order in (crazy- since it was not busy!) the food was just ok, but then they brought us the check and didn't even offer an apology or comp anything off our bill. I shouldn't have even left a tip but I couldn't bring myself to do that. And as a former waitress I know I would have apologized and discounted the bill. I can understand mistakes happen, but as I am still in a service industry, I know that repeat business comes from treating your clients well, and we unfortunately did not have that experience... read more