I have some great memories from the North End. Neighborhood wide games of hide and seek that lasted well into the night, getting pastries and breads from all the different bakeries, cold cuts and cheeses from Pacci's, chops and steaks from Sulmona's... I love the North End, and as much as I'd love to give it a five star review, I simply can't. The reason? Because yuppie scum, and worthless college students are moving in by the droves. These people have no sense of community, they offer nothing; all they do is drive up real estate prices, push out families that have been living there for generations, look down on the locals, and generally make a mess. If it wasn't for these people, the North End would get 5 stars from me hands down. It's one of the greatest, and safest neighborhoods in Boston, so long as you don't cause any trouble, and avoid the drunk idiot college students. On an unrelated note, I know everyone always seems to go crazy for Mike's, but I've always preferred Modern Pastry. read more

One of the best parts of Boston. Delicious, authentic, Italian food (usually imported directly from Italy), plus St. Anthony's Feast. Mike's Pastry's (among others), and cute streets but no parking. Ever. read more

The north end is a great place to have fun with friends or family. It's also a great place to learn about Italian culture! From Italian bakeries and restaurants to Catholic Churches and even little Italian pharmacies. There's also a great deal of history in the north end and amazing food. read more

I LOVE the North End. The only reason I'm not giving it five stars is it's not Italy, but then, that seems almost silly. To do something like that. I used to live here, and even though it was touristy in the summer, it was still magical in the fall and spring to walk down those narrow little streets. People say that it's a very european-looking neighborhood, and if you walk around, you can see why. The cobblestones, the detailed buildings, the way the neighborhood hugs the water, the pier...Walk up the hill and check out the old cemetery and the courtyard where the children play. And then there are the old folks, too. Just sitting outside. The lady that sells lemonade in her little lawn chair. The old men smoking. There's a shop for fruit. A shop for meat. And cheese (GLORIOUS CHEESE!). Pastries galore. And Italian restaurants. Yeah. Those too. I love Modern and MIke's for pastries. I love pastries. And this little section of Beantown. It was damn cold in the winter walking to the Haymarket T stop, but then, Haymarket was right there, too. Fresh fruits and veggies every week. Rock on. read more

I have always had a love for this part of town. The incredible eats, the little shops, the amazing coffee, and pastries. The tiny sidewalks get crowded at night, the lines at Mike's and Modern trail out into the streets. The cabs and pedibikes fill the streets and passing cars curse valet parking. There are fights here yet, I almost seem not to notice it, perhaps it's because it sounds all to familiar to me. Large Italian families make noises like the old ladies in Cafe Vittoria late night, or the guys standing on the corner. Every time, it's like coming home. read more

We keep coming back to the North end in Boston as it's exactly what we are looking for in an eclectic buzzing tourist area in the summer! A big mix of Italian restaurants, bars, Mikes Pastry, tourist / Boston Historical landmarks stores and interesting characters hanging out on the street corner (with some European flair) there is always crazy action in the summer when here! We stroll up and down the streets as it's easy to cover in a 30 minute walk and then you can head down to the harbour or Quincy-Faneuil for some different action! We have experienced the festival of St Anthony (late summer) and it's another great time when it's a street festival for the Italians and there are more carnival-type games and events, food, vendors selling their wares plus the big parade that happens! Hanover is the main Street but the side arteries off Hanover are great to walk up and down! Take a stroll on the weekend, but if you detest crowds it may not be your cup of tea! We love it and will keep coming back! read more

This is one of my favorite favorite places to go. I love the small streets and the old folk who live in this neighborhood. This place is sooo busy, do not even think about driving around here. This little neighborhood has seen Jewish, Irish and Italian immigrants. The Italian seemed to have stayed hence why it is called Little Italy. You can even hear the locals speaking Italian. Oh how lovely. This neighborhood has tons and tons of small and cute places to visit. It's a great place to go if you are eating here or just strolling the streets people watching. I cannot say enough about this lovely gem. When I come here I feel like I have left MA and am somewhere else. You cannot find many places that do that now can you? Here is a link to some great history and info on this neighborhood. http://www.northendboston.com/history.htm read more

Yeah! What Brian K. said! Oh, hey Brian. Fancy seeing your review here. Lol. ;0) Tried the cannolis? Check! Tried some pasta? Check! Farmers market? What? Check! Oysters? Heck yeah! If you want to get a taste of the night life here and/or grab great eats? Check out the North End. read more

Must Visit If you spend a few days in Boston, a visit to the North End should be on your list of areas to visit. A focal point - or THE focal point - is everything related to Paul Revere. A morning or an afternoon would be well spent exploring everything about one of America's historical figures. An hour or two passes enjoyably just wandering the old, winding streets of the area. Finally - and this is strictly one person's opinion - this area boasts the highest density of Italian restaurants and shops in the world, outside of Italy of course. read more

The north end is probably one of the cutest ends in Boston. It really does kind of have a european feel, and its even dripping in tourists too! There are a ton of great restaurants in this little gem as well as some fine bakeries and cafes. The north end is also very convenient to the blue and red lines, the highway, financial district, fanueil hall (and other tourist traps). Just don't think you'll find parking here, most likely you wont. read more

Finding new energy to get back to yelp, and wanted to start with a revisit of the North End review. It's been almost 2 years since my original 5 star rating, and that was done in my first month living there. The excitement wore off, and I'm glad to have moved out recently. The review by Michele A. is right on....the noise, stench, crowds, trash, and inconvenience just became too much to justify. So happy I was only renting! Still giving it 3 stars because it's a decent place to live if you have the money and don't need easy access to normal things like grocery stores or parking, and don't mind the negatives listed above. read more

I live in this hood and totally want all of you guys to visit! I know it gets a bad rap that it is just a tourist haven, and yes, there are lots of lost tourists wandering around looking for Regina's Pizza ...but, put that out of your mind and check it out. GREAT restaurants, salumerias for olives, oils home made pastas, old-fashioned looking nut shops, cheese stores, gelato places, quaint little alley ways, a few cool boutiques and just a great feeling. Walk down Hanover and Salem Street and wander through some of the piazzas...Come during one of the festivals or on a nice summer evening. Jeez, I sound like a travel guide! Although I Love living in here, I'm not sure I totally recommend it - lots of young people, but for the money you pay, you often can only get small kinda crappy apartments. read more

One of the North Ends many treasures can be found on Snow Hill St. This vacation rental is top notch in a wonderful neighborhood surrounded by history and great food. read more

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Great small place. Had the mushroom rigatoni, was awesome. My guy had the tuna pasta, not so good. Kinda plan. read more

The North End - Mushroom rigatoni - Local Flavor Near Me

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It's a tough call to say which neighborhood I prefer between Boston's North End and NYC's Little Italy; both are packed to the brim with Italian joints and tight streets that make for great window-shopping, both have those old school delis that sell prosciutto, olives, stuffed peppers and other delectable items that one could order by the ton. Now those are some of the good things, but they also have their flaws, such as an abundance of bad restaurants seeking to capitalize on the neighborhood's reputation and the naivete of the great number of tourists that flock to the area, and both have become downright extravagant in their pricing. Still, there's an aura about these old Italian neighborhoods, a sense that every block, every corner, every nook and cranny is home to some story. Great reads like "The Given Day" only help to illustrate in one's mind what rich histories these neighborhoods have. To know that at one point in history, anarchists plotted bombings in the vicinity, mobsters and other ruff-ians devised whack jobs, and many an Italian immigrant made their way into the American middle class, it's all quite compelling. The North End now may have gone much the way of Little Italy in NYC in becoming a sort of cardboard cutout or caricature of its past, but even the seedier aspects can't completely detract from the great food and rich culture one will find if they look hard enough. read more

I was surprised to see this region, so much fun! I would like to bring my friends here whenever they visit Boston!

Nothing better than that smell of Italian bread and pastries... yuuuuummeeee! In the summers it is the best, where the streets are full of local people and tourists just to have a good time, visit the original Regina Pizzeria, and even see an improv show at the Improv Asylum. Correct me if im wrong, but the best part is Bovas north end bakery, it is open 24 hours. see for yourself http://bovabakeryboston.com/. Enjoy my friends! read more

This area of Boston is really great with lots of neighborhood charm. There's a lot of really great restaurants, no chains of course, and good variety. This is an area that you can enjoy going for a run or you can just walk around and relax. It's a little touristy but not too crowded. read more

If I have to choose just one single place to love in Boston, it would be North End (aka. Little Italy). I'm thoroughly infatuated with this little corner with great food, thriving Italian culture, and a piece of history. I remember my first food-venture in North End, equipped with the Yelp App, I was unable to decide where to go eat, because every single restaurant within my vicinity had 4+ stars. Being a lover for Italian food, over the years, I have been to countless restaurants at Little Italy and I was dazzled every time by the quality and authenticity of the foods. Most restaurant retained their European atmosphere, small, cozy, and sometimes buzzing with enthusiastic staff with an open kitchen. Some of the best seafood, Italian joints, and bakeries famed in all of Boston can be found here, Neptune Oysters and Daily Catch, Giacomo's and Mamma Maria, Mike's Pastry and Modern Pastry. And my favorite entertainment spot - Improv Asylum also found its home here. And then there is me, who's on a mission to try all the wonderful places in North End. read more

Sure the North End has a lot of character but it definitely has some drawbacks too. First, if you love Italian food you'll really appreciate it. While their is tons of places I do not think it is the best or only place to get good italian food in Boston. Great people watching but too many tourists. read more

Many of the big cities in the north east all have a ton of history and usually one section that encompasses it more than most: New York has the Financial District; Philadelphia has Olde City; and Boston has the North End. It's great to visit the North End and walk down the cobblestone roads, grab a bite to eat at a small bistro and explore the freedom trail that winds through the area. As you might expect some parts get get a little busy with tourists during peak times but many parts are still quite and desolate. If I was considering moving to Boston I'd probably live in the Beacon Hill area (if I could afford it) and just visit the North End a lot. read more

Narrow, winding streets. Italian restaurants everywhere, Italian delis, coffee shops. All in a very small area. Lots of charm here. Great to just walk around and get a feel for a pretty sizable Little Italy neighborhood here in the US. Freedom Trail winds through the North End, so it's great to just wander around this area of town. read more

love the north end

Each time we come to Boston we seem to find something new in the North End, whether it's a shop, restaurant, etc. There is so much history to discover here and so much good food to consume. It's overwhelming to select a restaurant to eat at and it's hard when so many restaurants have long waits. Don't get discouraged. Be sure to visit all the Freedom trail sites, grab a coffee and pastry while you roam around and just wander up all the side streets and take it in. Parking is a bear around here so just beware. Sometime I get lucky and find a spot on Hanover. Other times I just park in a lot and walk. read more

It's just magical. You really feel like you have been transported into a different city, and it's a great change of pace from the rest of Boston. tons of pastry, gelato and espresso shops dot the streets, and authentic Italian restaurants are plentiful. rich with history and full of charm, The North End is something everyone should experience. Go for at least a few hours, and enjoy this beautiful neighborhood. read more

The most delicious part of Boston, methinks, and of course the little winding streets are fantastic! Given the exchange rate with the euro, it's a good way to get some Italian in you without breaking the bank (which is not to say that restaurants or boutiques there are cheap, but definitely cheaper than a ticket to Italy). The food of course is clutch, but the whole area is fantastic just to roam around. read more

My favorite area in Boston to eat. You get to walk the Freedom Trail (it goes right through The North End) and then stop for lunch or dinner at Italian. Oh, the many Italian restaurants. I've eaten at several and while some are fancier and others are more casual, all are excellent. And on your way out of here, you can get gelato at a few different places. Make a point of stopping here in what's probably my favorite Italian district outside of Italy itself (sorry Little Italy). read more

I was in Boston for the weekend and we strolled through the North End, it's absolutely beautiful. If you're ever in Boston, you must go to the North End! read more

Boston's Little Italy. My favorite memory of the North End was years ago when the Big Dig still ran amok in the area between Faneuil Hall and this section of town. A friend and I were walking through an underpass when the Godfather theme drifted to us from a street performer's violin. read more

What's not to love? Great food. Great area for walking around and people watching. I just love spending time in the North End. Okay, maybe parking is the only thing I don't love doing there. read more

I love the North End, I really do. My friend's and I like to explore the North End on any weekend when we're not particularly sure what to do, and we are never disappointed with what we find. Bakeries, restaurant, cafes and drunk people we can life at are all part of the eclectic atmosphere of the North End. It's a great place to walk around and very close to the harbor and aquarium, which makes it great for visiting many other locations. It's also very near the Orange, Green and several bus lines located at Haymarket, the Blue line located at the aquarium and the landmarks that are Fanueil Hall and the Holocaust monument. It's a great place with plenty to do. Would not recommend loitering around there at 2 in the morning though, especially on a weekend. Fights do break out, I saw one. read more

I've lived here almost my entire adult life (I'm worth the 5 star review alone). Probably the last real intimate neighborhood in the entire city. read more

I love the North End. I love their restaurants, bakeries, and boutiques. Someday I would like to visit Italy.

The North End and italian food, enough said. The North End Rocks. There's about 5 or 6 italian places to eat on every corner . The old fashioned feel of the neighborhood makes it a prime spot to live. The history of paul revere's house the old north church and waterfront location are awesome! And freedom trail goes through it. Yeah its a tourist trap but the festivals are really truly italian culture...at its finest, and the prades are cool too where they have a band and ask for money to donate to the church. its pretty cool. Its always fun when the italian soccer team is in the world cup final and thousands of fans turn out! The north end is truly one place where you can visit italy and feel like you're in italy without having to spend thousands to fly there. read more

Everything is in the north end when it comes to great food and entertainment. Mike's cannolis are incredible (but I have to split one, can't eat it all). Sabatini's was in the North end but they closed so now I need to find a new favorite. A raw food restaurant (can't remember the name) is off the main drag and worth it for you to try. Farmers Market is nearby with the most incredible fresh fish and produce. History surrounds you all along the way throughout the North end. Hanging out in the North end in the mid 90s after Italy won the World Cup was one of the most memorable experiences of my life! Seeing little ol' Italian men cheering and crying for their home country made me cry! read more

The North End - Local Flavor Near Me

The food is good, but nothing extraordinary. The location is great and and the ambiance is nice, which probably influenced many of the reviewers to rate is above average. read more

Ahhh, the smell of garlic is one of my favorites and it is in abundance in the North End. Lots of restaurants and nearly every one is great - I have only been to one where I thought it was horrid. They have a street festival too, which I went to but it was crowded and hard to enjoy the food. We did get a good FSU soccer type scarf though. My favorite restaurants are Saraceno's, Dolce Vita, Giacomo's, and Modern Pastry. I have yet to try some of the other great places since it always seems like such a pain to be there. The bad thing is that it is always full of tourists...walking four across...very slowly. Also, the lines at Modern Pastry and Giacomo's are waaaay too long (and at Mike's but their cannolis definitely are not as good). Thankfully, people haven't found out about Bova's yet... read more

This is the MECCA of Italian restaurants. If you like Italian food this is the only place you should be. Getting fat off that pasta.

This is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Boston and also a must-visit for any tourists. There are numerous Italian restaurants (my personal recommendation is The Daily Catch), many cute bakeries, and lots of one-of-a-kind shops. You also get a bit of history, as this neighborhood is a part of the Freedom Trail. Some streets are still lined with brick, and once in a while you may run into somebody dressed in colonial garb! For locals, try checking out the North End on a Friday or Saturday and swing by Haymarket Square for the produce market to get amazing prices on fruits and vegetables. read more

I'm not too familiar with the North End. I got to see some of it when I toured the area. Very Very Italian, and there were lots of cobblestones (fortunately I wasn't wearing heels.) Crowded sidewalks and tons of mom/pop stores for an old authentic feel!. read more