Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Ristorante Saraceno

    3.7 (646 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Ristorante Saraceno Photos

    RISTORANTE SARACENO ATMOSPHERE

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

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Ristorante Saraceno

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Shrimp Spaghetti alla Carbonara
    Katie C.

    Sadly we didn't love it. Service was slow, not very attentive and the food was only mediocre. 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....

    Stephanie C.

    Dining at Ristorante Saraceno felt like being transported straight to Italy. The food was phenomenal--but what truly made the night unforgettable was the live opera singer. Yes, you read that right. In the middle of an incredible meal, the restaurant was filled with the rich, powerful voice of an opera singer performing classic Italian arias. It was goosebumps good--like something out of a movie. As for the food: flawless. The pasta was fresh and homemade, the seafood was perfectly cooked, and every sauce was rich, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and made sure the experience felt both special and comfortable. If you're in Boston's North End and want more than just a meal--something romantic, soulful, and genuinely memorable--Saraceno is the place. I'll be talking about this night for a long time.

    Eggplant parmigiana
    Kellie F.

    Booked this on a fluke after the marathon. Restaurant was really cozy, staff were accommodating and menu was impressive. We ordered a bottle of wine to share at a great price. The bread baskets just kept coming during dinner. Our table was full of veal, eggplant and chicken Parm's and all were delicious.

    Gelene J.

    I really enjoyed this Italian restaurant. To start, I ordered a Moscato--I'm not a fan of bitter wine. The bread was brought to our table quickly, and the service was excellent. The restaurant has two levels, and they seated us on the upper level, which was a bit tight on space. The food was fantastic and arrived piping hot, with steam rising from the dishes. Overall, it's a great spot--just maybe not the best choice on a night when the Bruins are playing!

    Risotto alla Pescatora
    Madi P.

    Delicious!!! The bread was really good with olive oil and some balsamic vinaigrette. I also liked how they placed a small bowl of Parmesan cheese on the table lol. The calamari was absolutely delicious. It was super fresh, light, and had a perfect seafood to lettuce ratio for a salad. My mom and I split the risotto and it was also so decedent. The mushrooms were really big and overall it just tasted amazing.

    Spaghetti Alla Carbonara
    Kiran V.

    Saraceno has become my go to spot in the North End especially when i have guests in town! The tortellini al formaggio is my absolute favorite and i get it without fail. I've also started trying the mushrooms as a starter and the garlicky butter sauce that they're cooked in goes fantastic with the bread they give you. If you go on a weekend evening, you will likely be treated to musicians singing as well which really completes the Italian experience. Love!!

    Patrick D.

    We had a delightful experience at Saraceno welcomed by Franco el capo di capi when it comes to knowledge of Italian pasta. My wife and I dropped off our son to College and wanted to celebrate the event going to one of the very best Italian in the North End. We were not disappointed. We started with two Proseccos then a some fried calamari. I love the tagliatelle con Sarde. They made it with a tomato based fragrant sauce with onions, fennel, raisins, pine nuts, anchovies, sardines, and olive oil. I was absolutely perfect. The pasta a la vongole with white wine was also to die for. Service was very pleasant and attentive. The atmosphere was the best as we were sitting in the front spoke to everyone around us who were all natives from Boston and returning customers. The food was amazing. We will be back! Mille grazie Franko!

    Frittura di Calamari
    Rudy M.

    I heard many positive things about this place from my colleagues. So, here I am!! It was bad timing , however, they have a construction work, so some of the space is occupied with stuffs. I ordered their frittura di calamari and pasta alla vongole. I swapped the spaghetti with linguine and surprisingly server was accommodating my request. Will definitely return here in the future.

    a plate of pasta and sauce
    Scott B.

    Easy to find better... Simply, a lot of misses all around. While we wanted at least one of the dishes to sing, nothing did: stuffed mushrooms were uninspired (and we didn't get the ones we'd ordered), the tomatoes in the burrata weren't ripe enough, and neither dish was anything to write home about. The decor is, well, what's the word? Kitschy, I guess. What's more, there is no check in... I came in at my reservation time, stood inside the doorway, and it was :10m until a waiter, anyone made any eye contact with me (which was when I went to find someone, I bumped into the host who looked like she walked in off the street). You can do better than this for great pasta in the North End. I wish them well...

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    29 days ago

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

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mae L.
    0
    12
    2

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    23 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    The best for Italian in the North End. A true classic with fantastic dining and world-class hospitality. Don't skip it!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Amy D.
    0
    22
    0

    2 months ago

    It is cozy and the staff are friendly. I highly recommend the calamari and muscles in white sauce.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 14
    Thanks 2
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Come visit Frank and crew, they are the best in the North End! Food is great, and the restaurant is gorgeous inside. A small gem.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mara L.
    31
    17
    14

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Aban J.
    146
    49
    28

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J M.
    0
    11
    1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Leslie R.
    21
    46
    62

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jill B.
    135
    66
    119

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Really fun place . The basement is a funny maze and the servers are as charming as they come. Food was good as well and fairly inexpensive

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 17

    Ask the Community - Ristorante Saraceno

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Italian 44,465 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    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.

    Awful service. We were in a hurry and had been asking around for who could have food ready in 15…read moreminutes for us (party of two, 5 pm on a Friday). We asked at the front, they said sure of course and that they're cash only. We sat down and asked the server if we could please have pasta quickly, since the front said it was 15 minutes. She got mad and told us that we cant sit if we order at the front. She stormed off. We did not order to-go at the front, we had only asked about normal kitchen timing. She took a long time to come back, which was ridiculous because we didnt have water or anything and we could see her complaining about us. By the time she came back we were running horribly late on time. The pasta was good, but the place smelled like a smoky kitchen. She was curt with us throughout the dinner. Then, these very loud singers came in and started serenading all of us when we were trying to have a relaxing dinner. Like plug your ears loud. They sang a few songs and then went around with a gigantic venmo sign asking for money. I would NEVER have dined here if I knew it was a tourist scam with horrendous service. The only reason I gave this two stars is because that pasta was decent. I won't be ordering takeout though either.

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

    See all

    Tiny upstairs dining area with a great view
    SRV Boston

    SRV Boston

    4.4
    (652 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$$

    I will always support SRV... currently the best Italian restaurant I've had in Boston. Specializing…read morein Venetian cuisine. Focaccia: What an amazing focaccia!! The bread had large air pockets, visibly soft, with a rich aroma of salt and milk; the olive oil was smooth and mellow, with a full-bodied fragrance, and the aftertaste even included a subtle, restrained hint of tea. Even knowing it's a calorie bomb, I couldn't resist dipping it in more. Baccala Mantecato: Classic Venetian flavor. The salted cod was tender and delicate, almost like a light foam, somewhere between raw silk and mousse; the dark bread was simple yet not coarse, perfectly balancing the saltiness of the cod. The most surprising thing was the refreshing aroma of celery leaves that emerged in the aftertaste, lingering and persistent. Lumache: When looking at the menu, seeing "chili butter, Jonah crab, breadcrumb," I never expected such a distinct citric acidity. The subtle acidity was gently enveloped in the fatty aroma of chili butter, perfectly complementing the umami and sweetness of the crab meat with just the right amount of spiciness. The lumache were firm and chewy, the sauce rich and smooth, and the breadcrumbs light and crisp, creating a rich and distinct texture. The portion was generous; even after microwaved the next day, the sauce had naturally broken down and the lemon's tartness had dissipated, but the noodles mixed with chili oil still had a unique flavor. Tiramisu: Highly renowned, and the staff were quite confident. The surface was covered with a thick layer of crispy cocoa nibs, the cake itself is incredibly soft and moist, and digging inside reveals an "underground river" of coffee liquid, while its bitterness was perfectly balanced by the sweet Marsala. The overall flavor was sweet and mellow, less bitter than typical tiramisu, with more layers of complexity. Actually, I was hoping for a slightly bitter version. Even on a weekday, it was packed with customers; by 5:10 PM, only one bar seat was left. Reservations are highly recommended. However, the bar was in a good location, with the bartenders being the easiest servers to find. It was a pleasant conversation with them.

    Pros: The prices are a lot more reasonable than most places in Boston, portions on the main courses…read moreare big (enough to take leftover). The service is so friendly and seamless which in itself makes for a lovely evening. Highlights were the mussels, which were very fresh and delicious. The service here was attentive with the waiters offering more bread for the mussels. Most dishes are a little spicy, so if you don't like spice, make sure to note that with the waiter. The miso gelato is one of the most delicious savory/sweet desserts, and has lots of nice crunchy accents of the sesame crumble. Cocktails are fabulous, very smooth, as well as the mocktails. Cons: The crostini was nothing really special, and one of them came without the oyster butter. The meatballs, which were tasty but had a slightly hard texture on the outside. The prawn risotto was pretty one-note in flavor, and the prawn heads tasted overcooked and slightly off. The radiatore was spicy and nicely plated. The Cremoso al Cioccolato had a strange flavor profile that didn't quite fit, and had such a large salted chocolate-truffle section that we did not finish it (which is saying something)! Overall, if you are looking for a solid dinner in Boston that will guarantee be a nice experience because of the atmosphere, this is a good place.

    Photos
    Bar Interior
    Bar Interior
    Stuffed fired zucchini flower
    Stuffed fired zucchini flower
    Outdoor

    See all

    Outdoor
    The Salty Pig

    The Salty Pig

    4.2
    (2.1k reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    I had a great experience at The Salty Pig in Boston's Back Bay. The location is convenient and the…read morerestaurant has a warm, lively atmosphere that fits the neighborhood well--perfect for a casual night out or meeting up with friends. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the service felt efficient even when the restaurant was busy. The food was the standout. The charcuterie board was especially impressive with a well-balanced selection, and the pizzas were flavorful with a nicely crisp crust and high-quality ingredients.

    "Keep on with the forth, don't stop/don't stop until you get enough~" What mischief could a…read morerestaurant with Michael Jackson's music possibly have? Salty Pig Pizza: A pizza with the same name as the restaurant! Who was the genius who came up with the idea of ​​salted pig and beer caramel? It's brilliant! The salted pork appears to include Prosciutto di Parma from Langirano, Prosciutto Cotto, and Salcissia. Baking rendered the prosciutto's fat, which blends with the caramel to create a beautiful golden syrup that flows across the pizza's surface. The prosciutto was savory, oily, and tender; the minced salcissia retains its coarse texture and rich meaty aroma; the caramel was sweet and mellow with a honey-like sweetness, forming the top, middle, and base notes respectively. The arugula was slightly warmed, losing its astringent and raw taste while maintaining its crisp texture, helped to cut through the richness together with the Parmesan cheese powder. The crust was crispy, while the inside the dough was soft and chewy. The cooking time and seasoning were all just right, and the restaurant's proud wooden oven added a charming smoky flavor. Affogato: I had high expectations, but it was just okay. The espresso was too sour, and the vanilla ice cream couldn't balance it out. The almond biscuits had an overpowering almond flavor, and the flavor of plant-based protein was terrible! (Oh, this should have been a plus...)

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Little gem lettuce
    Little gem lettuce
    Sippin' easy (w/ alc)

    See all

    Sippin' easy (w/ alc)

    Ristorante Saraceno - italian - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...