Prezza

oh. em. gee. best pasta i've ever had in my life…read more i was looking online for an italian restaurant and this came up multiple times. first off, the interior is gorgeous, plush green seats and antique style. we ordered their special items of the night: lobster risotto and the vodka veal. genuinely the best risotto i've ever had. the people online were not lying when they said their vodka rigatoni was the best. it was indeed very very delicious. even though all of us were full from the pasta, we still had to get tiramisu. it was a perfect way to end the meal. our server was great and attentive, thank you for a wonderful meal.

7/5/26: I stopped by Gigi for lunch around 1 PM on a Sunday, and surprisingly the restaurant was…read morealmost empty. My guess is that this is more of an evening destination where people come for cocktails and the atmosphere rather than lunch. We ordered a Diet Coke, the Scampi appetizer, Carbonara, and the Rigatoni Alla Vodka. The scampi was easily the best part of the meal. It was flavorful, cooked well, and made for a nice appetizer to start things off. Unfortunately, the pastas didn't quite meet expectations, especially considering the price. The Rigatoni Alla Vodka was $28, but the pasta wasn't cooked al dente and felt overdone. The Carbonara, also $28, was disappointing as the eggs had curdled and the dish ended up being much oilier than I expected. At $18, the scampi was enjoyable, but overall I don't think the food justified the price point. One bright spot was the service. Our waitress was incredibly kind, checked in on us frequently, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. The restaurant itself is beautiful and has a very aesthetic design. I can definitely see why it's popular on social media. There is also outdoor seating, which I imagine would be a nice option on a warm summer evening. One thing I did notice, though, is how closely the tables are spaced together. Since the restaurant was mostly empty during our visit it wasn't an issue, but I could see it feeling crowded and fairly loud once the dining room fills up. I was honestly surprised by the meal because Gigi is part of the Mazi Restaurant Group, and I've really enjoyed some of their other concepts, especially Kava Neo-Taverna. Based on this experience, though, I think there are plenty of Italian restaurants in Boston that offer better food and better value for the same price. Overall, I'd give Gigi 3/5 stars. The service and atmosphere were both strong, but the food didn't live up to the pricing. If I came back, it would probably be for drinks, appetizers, and the ambiance rather than a full Italian dinner.

Inferior

Burrata 10/10

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Inside/Decor

Carmelina's

4.5(4.5k reviews)

0.1 mi•North End

Carmelina's was one of the highlights of my visit to the North End. The atmosphere was cozy and…read morewelcoming, and the staff made us feel right at home. I had the homemade pasta, and it was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. You can tell a lot of care goes into every dish. The portions were generous, and even though it was busy, the service stayed attentive throughout the meal. I can definitely see why this place is so popular, and I'll be back the next time I'm in Boston.

Excellent!!! Service, ambience and cuisine all top notch! Highly recommended this North End…read morerestaurant

Bolognese

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Grazie @foodieauthority Spicy Shrimp

Giacomo's Ristorante - Boston

4.1(4.5k reviews)

0.0 mi•North End

Let me get the one negative I have about this place out of the way - NO AC!…read moreIf you happen to want to try Giacomo's, make sure it isn't humid or overwhelming hot like how it was for my family and I, otherwise you will be suffocating. I felt horrible for the chefs in the back and the staff who were working amidst the flames in that heat for hours, wow. However... given the circumstance and the appropriate weather, Giacomo's might just be one of the most scenic and atmospheric spots in all of Boston's Little Italy in the North End. I can promise you, if you're looking for good quality Italian food with no fillers in portioning or shortcuts in meal quality and preparation - Giacomo's is for you. Some of the best bites of food I've had in recent memory from any place I've been to period! The joint and the staff have such class and professionalism, it's an experience all to itself. I will be back next time to sample more of their delicious and famous seasonal menu items and wine pairings. Cash only spot as of right now and I'm unsure if they plan on changing it, so be mindful of that.

**Cash ony/ First come first serve**…read more Delicious Italian food, note the portions are large. Ordered bruschetta, meatballs and clam chowder for apps, clam linguine, lobster fra diavolo and penne bolognese - and everything was really good. Sauces are made in house and you have the option to pick your pasta, sauce and seafood option or select from an extensive menu. Food was flavorful and came out piping hot. Service was friendly and efficient. We were seated downstairs and ambiance was casual. Cash only and they have an ATM machine inside. First come first serve, lines can look imidating but moved pretty fast. Overall, if you are looking for delicious Italian food Giacomo's is a solid option.

More menu

Frutti di Mare Linguine

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Open dining room

Isabella Ristorante

4.5(704 reviews)

0.1 mi•North End

Great food, good service, surprisingly affordable as well. I had the mushroom ravioli special and I…read morethought it was fantastic.

Isabella is tucked on a small street in the North End and the space is cozy with roughly a dozen…read moretables. My party of three made a last minute reservation last Friday night, just 2 1/2 hours before closing. We arrived an hour later and were immediately seated. We experienced excellent service from beginning to end. Delicious Italian cuisine, from the appetizers to the entrees. Thank you for the meal and can't wait to return!

The wine wall at Isabella Ristorante.

Eggplant Parmesan

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Little Italy on a beautiful Boston night.

Piattini

4.0(1.2k reviews)

1.8 mi•Back Bay

Thought that I was gonna get pasta, but decided to settle for sandwiches instead and it ended up…read morebeing a great decision! The pesto chicken sandwich is absolutely delicious-- from the focaccia bread being heavily seasoned to the chicken being juicy and crunchy at the same time, with the pesto, bring a great taste to the table overall, I absolutely loved this sandwich. The meatball Panini was also delicious if you are a meatball fan! Service was good. I just wish that it was a little bit more attentive at times as we waited a little longer to have gotten our check. I will come back here again to try more of their dishes and to try some of their drinks as well!

I wanted to love this restaurant - the service was so friendly and attentive. This may have been…read morethe particular dishes I chose , but unfortunately, the food was just okay I ordered the shrimp scampi and Brussels sprouts. The sprouts had too much balsamic reduction on it which was cloying, and the garlic aioli didn't have a distinctive taste. Together it was too much sauce and the sprouts were generally overcooked, the mushy texture that makes people dislike them. The shrimp was cooked perfectly but the seasoning was on the bland side and too little sauce. It did have a nice brightness on the lemon and butter. The pasta had good texture (freshly made), but not enough flavor. The place was quite busy on a Monday night, but I don't think I'll return.

Inside

Tuna Crudo

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Raffaela's Tiramisu (~$12)

Krasi

4.6(587 reviews)

1.9 mi•Back Bay

Amazing food. I also loved the ambience. It was reminiscent of the Mediterranean…read more The plates, plating, and serving ware were tastefully chosen. The service fast attentive and friendly. I'd definitely be back when on vacation again. The orange honey cake was mind blowing

Lovely ambience..perfect for a date night. We were seated indoors and realised it was too loud so…read morewe requested to be seated on the patio. We got the Tiropita rolls 5/5: the best of the lot. Crispy on the outside and doughy and cheesy on the inside. The Greek honey butter and olives were perfect! The butter was light and airy Tzatziki trio 3.5/5: the dips were great, especially the corn one and the beetroot one, even if a little bland Skopiteniki 3/5: the shell was good but the stuffing was okay..almost forgettable. The dish was also too dry. The wine was great! The server had us try a couple and helped us pick. My partner's wine was delayed so they took off the wine charges on our final bill.

Restaurant

Giouvetsi

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Dips (tzatziki, kopanisti, taramosalata, sourdough)

Mida

4.3(62 reviews)

2.9 mi•Fenway

Wow! This kitchen is on fire! We were happy to find Mida open on the 4th of July! We were in Boston…read morefor a week and had some excellent food and this was our favorite restaurant of the trip. The service was amazing from the kitchen. We had a food party and shared all items. Pizza, fritto misto, braised beef on cauliflower puree ( no picture it was so good I forgot) Caesar salad and meatballs (also forgot to shoot a picture). Food was absolutely amazing. One note that I would normally score down on service when I order a drink before dinner I should at least get the drink and be able to consume it before all the food comes! Mida missed an opportunity here in timing the food and lost some liquor sales as a result. We gave this feedback to our server. Food was totally worth it and the vibe of the space was nice. Thanks Mida for a greata meala!

Moody, classy interior that's perfect for a night out !…read more Spacious with plenty of seating (had no trouble making a last minute reservation) and great service all-around. Ordered the sausage pizza and mushroom pappardelle. 10/10 pizza--crispy crust with spicy peppers that balance out the sausages. Not to mention, most of the pizzas had reasonable prices for this area. Pasta was very mild (great if you're looking for a 'butter noodle' vibe) but personally wish it had more flavor. Highly recommend overall and would be a great choice for groups !

Inside

Sausage pizza + Mushroom pappardelle

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Inside

SRV Boston

4.4(655 reviews)

2.2 mi

Back in July 2020, I returned to SRV and decided to try the Arsenale tasting menu, a chef-curated,…read moremulti-course shared experience. Since it was summertime, we were able to sit outside in the courtyard out back. I had been to SRV before and had no idea this space was even there. It was tucked away, relaxed, and a great setting for dinner. I was pleased with just about everything that came to the table. There was one dish that simply wasn't doing it for us, but we didn't complain or ask for anything different. Then something happened that really stood out. The chef came out herself and mentioned that she noticed we barely touched that particular dish. She asked if she could send us something else instead. Sure enough, she did. That immediately took the service to another level. We never had to say a word. She noticed, cared enough to ask, and made sure we left happy. Looking back on this July 2020 visit, the food was creative, the courtyard was a nice surprise, but that level of attention from the chef is what I remember most. It turned a great dinner into a memorable one.

Was excited to try SRV for the first time! The food was good, the servers were attentive, and the…read morerestaurant is beautiful inside. The one major issue we had was the timing with food. It was insanely slow. The starters were a little slow to come out, but nothing unusual. The entree, however, took probably close to 40 minutes to come out. We had so much time in between courses, by the time we go our food I was ready to leave. I also want to note that this was a Monday, they had a decent dinner rush, but it wasn't slammed. I have never experienced such slow timing with food before. I also work in the service industry, so it's a bummer to have to leave this review, but I was in genuine disbelief at how long it took. I understand things happen and maybe this was just a one-off thing, I hope it was! I wanted to get coffee and dessert but was so over it by the time we got our dinner, I didn't want to risk how much longer it would take. Unfortunately, because of how slow the service was and how long we were left there waiting, it made the dinner experience unenjoyable. Totally was not our servers fault! She and the whole staff were great, and everyone was so kind and friendly. Hoping to give this place another try one day. Definitely want to try their dessert if I decide to give them another chance.

Bar Interior

Lobster risotto

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Outdoor

The Salty Pig

4.2(2.1k reviews)

1.7 mi•Back Bay

My coworkers and I had an amazing experience at The Salty Pig in Boston!…read more From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was lively and inviting. You can immediately tell this place takes pride in what they do, especially when you see the chefs in action. Watching them work with the freshly made dough and expertly handle the pizza oven added such a fun and authentic touch to the experience. The food was absolutely incredible. The pizza was hands down one of the best we've had--perfectly crisp crust, fresh ingredients, and full of flavor in every bite. We also ordered the cucumber salad, which was refreshing, light, and the perfect complement to the richness of the pizza. Everything about our visit felt thoughtfully done, from the quality of the food to the energy of the space. If you're in Boston and looking for a spot with amazing pizza, fresh ingredients, and a great vibe, The Salty Pig is a must-visit. We'll definitely be back! We had just arrived to Boston and we were starving so I didn't take photos.

Heard the pork sausage pizza was to die for - highlighting the red peppers elevating the pizza from…read moreall others. Friendly host. Friendly service. fun and very casual atmosphere. This is the pork pate, Manchego cheese, olive charcuterie board. Perfection for dinner

Interior

Pork pate, manchego cheese, olives

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Sippin' easy (w/ alc)

MIDA

4.2(715 reviews)

2.3 mi•South End

Great food, lovely ambiance, and awesome waitress! Perfect GNO or date night spot…read more I really liked both of the entrees we ordered. - - The lasagna was a hearty, comforting bite. Adding short rib as the protein gave the classic dish a unique but welcome twist. I was a fan! - The rock shrimp carbonara was al dente (and made with bucatini!!) and covered in the perfect amount of creamy sauce. No notes there. Also huge shout out to our waitress (who we unfortunately did not get the name of). She helped us pick a delicious wine, and made our night a bit more entertaining.

MIDA has been one of my favorite restaurants in the South End for years. Great Italian food, a…read morerelaxed neighborhood feel, and proudly Black-owned. It's one of those places I'm always comfortable recommending. On this visit, the Smoked Short Rib Lasagna was the reason for coming in, and we both ordered it. This is not your typical lasagna. The short rib adds a rich, smoky flavor, layered with cheese and surrounded by plenty of tomato sauce. It's hearty without trying to be overly complicated. Just really good comfort food. We also started with the Bresaola Plate, bread with olive oil, and I had a MIDAríta to drink. What I've always liked about MIDA is that it feels approachable. You can come for a casual dinner, date night, or just because you're craving a good plate of pasta. The food remains the focus. For me, MIDA is a South End staple and a restaurant I'll continue coming back to.

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Inside

ARANCINI

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Arancini

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23 reviews that are not currently recommended

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

Hannah D.

13 years ago

This is the first review I have ever written and I am compelled to write it because it was SUCH AN AWFUL experience. Let me preface this by saying that my husband and I go out for dinner a lot and have eaten at many fine restaurants, so after reading the reviews for Prezza, I was excited to give it a try. I was sorely disappointed. When we asked our waitress for meal recommendations, she shrugged and said that ""everything is good"". When asked about the Bolognese and if it contained veal, she responded that she ""didn't think so""...after ordering it, she came back and told us that ""oops..it does have veal in it."" I then ordered the halibut, which was raw in the middle...which I had to send back. (that was the first time I have ever sent back a meal) She came back to me with the original fish that I sent back, and it clearly had been MICROWAVED!!! We spent over $200 for this meal!!! Overall the food was average, but the service was some of the worst I have ever experienced...Skip this place and go to Mama Maria's instead. read more

Chris S.

4 years ago

One of very best Italian restaurants in which I've ever eaten. In the heart of Boston's Little Italy, Prezza accommodated a group of 10 parents and kids. The food was spectacular. Lots of northern Italian dishes that offer a welcome departure from the classic spaghetti and meatballs. The waiter offered us lots of off-menu options, specifically for the kids. Great recommendations for both food and wine, and adjusted portion sizes so we could sample more dishes. I will come here every time I come to Boston. read more

Kim T.

Elite 23

270

202

477

4 years ago

I recently dined at Prezza in Boston and was a bit disappointed with the experience. While my first visit to the restaurant was good, my second visit was not as enjoyable. The service was lacking and I didn't feel particularly welcomed when I walked in. In terms of the food, we ordered a few pastas and main dishes to share, but they were just okay - nothing particularly special. Overall, Prezza seems to be a hit or miss and unfortunately my experience was on the not-so-great side. read more

Trish M.

16 years ago

Delicious Italian food! I highly recommend the stuffed pork chop it is so good, I challenge you to finish it too, it is so big. The service is great and the neighborhood doesn't get much better either, it's the North End for crying out loud!! Last time I was there Magic Johnson and Sheldon Williams both showed up to eat. it was during the finals and apparently this is the number one place the basketball players like to go. Try the food and you will see why. read more

T S.

2 months ago

Food: 4.5 +bread and oil at start was surprisingly amazing +great portion +well cooked and seasoned - (personal con) bread for beef tartare was super crunchy/hard Service: 4 +satisfied with water refill -tough to flag down waiter Ambiance: 4 +comfortable lighting; intimate -tables were too close for liking I see myself recommending this place to others. read more

Patricia H.

12 years ago

excellent food and service. Everything we had was perfect. Atmosphere is on the noisy side. The best food we have had in Little Italy. They are not all nearly this good. Looking forward to returning with the whole family. read more

Luca O.

16 years ago

Great food, phenominal wine list, cozy atmosphere. This place is perfect. Ask for Derek, or Paul to wait on you. They have a vast knowledge on food and wines and are very helpful. read more

Gary S.

13 years ago

One of the best meals in while! Went for our second anniversary for the 3rd time. Good as always! Keep up the good work!

Getch A.

177

14 years ago

Outstanding meal, from Cocktails to Digestive. When in Boston this is a very good choice. Great staff as well.

Peter S.

6 years ago

Fantastic food and friendly service. If you haven't been here yet, GO. You are missing out.

Lexi O.

15 years ago

We ate at the bar and had the mussels And tuna tart a...I would definitely go back

Charles B.

7 years ago

The best Italian fare, wine and service in the city !!!!!!!!! Charlie B

Tyler M.

275

13 years ago

very good service and food. will definitely be back in the future.

Steve S.

6 years ago

It may have been a bad day, but everything I got was really salty.

Nicole E.

15 years ago

One of my favorites in the North End- the mussels are amazing!

Casey B.

6 years ago

They are as good as it gets. So happy to have found them.

Jason M.

13 years ago

Had a good time as always. Great food and service.

Jimmy O.

17 years ago

**I love this place I hope it never changes**

Nate M.

8 years ago

Great authentic place. Cozy and great food.

Sarah C.

150

12 years ago

Lived up to what I thought it would be.

Prezza - italian - Updated August 2026

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Wow -- I was blown away by this spot! We went here to celebrate our engagement, and they treated us…read moreso incredibly well from start to finish. It's a true old-school Italian restaurant that hasn't been taken over by the touristy North End vibe, which I absolutely loved. The hostess was so friendly and made some great menu recommendations, and our server was equally helpful and attentive. They have a selection of cocktails but not a full bar, which was totally fine with us -- we got an espresso martini and an Aperol spritz. The wine selection was phenomenal and very reasonably priced. Our bottle was only $30! We started with the meatballs and absolutely loved the red sauce. For our entree, we had the veal with prosciutto in a sweet mushroom sauce and upgraded the pasta to the house-special ravioli. Let me tell you, I typically don't even like ravioli, but I fell in love with these! The pasta was fresh, the ravioli were huge, and the filling was so flavorful. The veal was incredibly thin and crispy, and the sauce was very sweet, so I'm glad we split the dish. For dessert, we got the special spumoni, which was so nostalgic because I used to eat it as a kid! They also brought us complimentary limoncello to celebrate our engagement, which was such a thoughtful touch. Overall, this place is reasonably priced, the food quality is excellent, and -- most importantly -- you can tell the staff genuinely cares about your experience. We will absolutely be going back!

Lovely dinner with all the right flavors and a great atmosphere. I felt a little like I was eating…read morein mama's kitchen back home. The staff felt like family, and the restaurant was cozy. We were drawn in by the delicious smells that wafted down the street. This was the best meal of our trip. Thank you!

Ristorante Saraceno

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Very good food. The service was excellent and the overall vibes of the restaurant were wonderful.read more

Sadly we didn't love it. Service was slow, not very attentive and the food was only mediocre…read more I haven't been in 20+ years maybe and I think the menus are the same. So many choices in the north end - it's hard to know how it continues. It's a cute tiny place, and has potential - but I can't say with gusto to go....

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Cocktails are not good. They need to fix all of them and make sure they are putting once big clear…read moreice cube inside all drinks. Everything else is 8+ out of 10. Steak tacos are - as someone else has mentioned - to die for. My filet mignon was juicy and VERY tender. I mean, it was so easy to cut apart. I think the chef and whoever is making the food are really carrying this place. The hostess and our server, Alex, were also very very nice and welcoming. My dinner partner had the foie gras dish, and it was also great! I definitely want to come back. Just do not order cocktails, haha. The video I am attaching is of the very first dessert on the dessert menu.

Well we arrived in suits and dress clothes because it said "fine dining" but we were totally…read moreoverdressed at this establishment. Maybe I'm too old, but fine dining should involve that refinement. Stop calling yourself fine dining and call it expensive food with uppity servers and no dress code. Food was amazing- so please know I would absolutely go back for the food! We had lobster bisque, the best Caesar salad (top 5), calm chowder, shrimp and clams, lamb and a fillet. During our meal just after the lovely table side service of the lobster bisque my son accidentally moved the table with his feet and the drinks flew into my food. Our server watched it happen and walked away. She turned not to help but out of disgust walked the other way! The food runner came to the rescue! But then we were charged for another drink that spilled! I don't know but when your at fine dining and you get double charged for a table moving and treated like you are an inconvenience that gets me. Plus she was clearly angry with us. Food 5 stars, service 2, price for the service we received totally not worth it. Don't waste your money to get treated badly. Sorry kitchen but front of the house ruined it.

Nebo Cucina & Enoteca

3.4

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The food was stellar. I am gf and the menu had many, many items for me to choose. We had the…read moreincredible Bibb salad and I had the bolognese. The front desk person and the food runners lacked with personality however our server Grazzi was knowledgeable, funny, and took great care of us.

The food was amazing thanks to the knowledge and recommendations of our server Juan. Great food,…read moreexcellent outdoor patio. Definitely will be back

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I went to Bacco for the first time for my friend's birthday and it was a great time! Summertime in…read moreBoston can get hot, and they don't have any AC upstairs and there was one ceiling fan but it over the tables on the other side of the room, so our group was using menus to fan ourselves in the heat. Other than that, the food was great, the service was friendly, and our drinks were delicious. I ordered the aperol spritz (perfect on a summer night!) and got the spaghetti and meatballs which was delicious.

The food was nothing special--just pretty meh overall. The cocktails were decent, and the service…read morewas fine, but nothing really stood out. The inside of the restaurant is nice enough, but having only one bathroom was definitely annoying. Overall, it wasn't bad, just a pretty forgettable experience.

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All I can say is: YUMMMMM…read more Came here with family on a late Monday afternoon, so it wasn't too busy -- we were right in between that lunch and dinner spot. Dinner servings end at 3, but it's good to know that even if you get there at 2:45 you can order from the lunch menu if you wanted, even if you order after the "3" cutoff. But I didn't opt for the lunch menu. It was the specials that made me finalize my decision after I had been tossing between a few other options. The homemade riagtoni with vodka sausage, a chicken cutlet, and burrata mozzarella was just perfection. The homemade pasta, the sauce, the crispiness of the cutlet, and the creamy burrata. It was one of the best meals of my trip to Boston. Otherwise, the bread was soft and tasted good when you spoon out the goodies in the oil, and the bruschetta had perfectly, not overly toasted bread and fresh tomatoes. Good service, drinks, and food. I wish I lived closeby!

Food: These two special pastas were delicious! The pasta felt like it was homemade, and the vodka…read moresauce was 10/10. Also the chicken cutlet was phenomenal! Service: Fast! Ambiance: My friend and I went at like 3pm on a Sunday and it was pretty much empty. Loved the ambiance and Italian decor.

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