Trattoria Il Panino is one of the many lovely Italian restaurants that you'll find in the North End. Not my favorite but it's still a goodie! They get SUPER packed on weekends especially & I definitely recommend making reservations instead of relying on walk-in. We made a reservation on a Saturday at 9pm & we still had to wait ~30 min for our table to be ready, because of how busy they were. Now, they do move pretty quick though! Once we were seated & gave our server our order, our food came in a timely manner. We ordered: -calamari -trombetta al pesto -chicken parm -carbonara w/ chicken cutlet The calamari was quite yummy. It tasted fresh and the batter was light but still crispy. We even debated on getting another order of the calamari! Trombetta al pesto is what I personally had. Good portion size & loved the pesto sauce. I did wish it came with a protein but that's okay. The pesto is on the herb-ier side as opposed to garlicky, so keep that in mind if you're not too big on herb heavy taste. I personally loved it though. The pasta was also cooked al dente, PERFECTO! The chicken parm was demolished within minutes of arriving to our table, so that should tell you how good it was haha. Now, for the carbonara with chicken cutlet, the pasta was cooked perfectly. Nice and al dente but we wished that we had gotten grilled chicken breast instead of the breaded chicken cutlet, as it probably would've paired better with the dish. Overall, I think Trattoria Il Panino is a solid spot to go for a sit-down lunch or dinner! I liked that even though we did have to wait a bit for our table with reservations, we didn't have to really wait for our food after ordering. The staff was very efficient and service was outstanding! Parking: parking garage by Haymarket or can valet in front of the restaurant. read more

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Everything went well tonight for a Saturday in the North end with the world out and about. So packed out there that night, the city was alive. We waited about 30 minutes after checking in for our reservation, they were running behind a bit. We were then seated in the downstairs dining area, which i actually liked better than upstairs, felt more intimate and more spacious. Service was great, our server was very nice. We were here to celebrate a friend's birthday - Trombetta al pesto The pesto sauce was on the herbier side, i prefer more of a garlic pesto but still delicious! - chicken parm with ziti - actually a much smaller portion then expected, would have liked a bit more ziti to chicken cutlet ratio. BDay boy inhaled it anyways. - chicken cutlet carbonara spaghetti i probably would have opted for the grilled chicken over a cutlet next time. For me it was a bit dry with the cutlet and needed MORE sauce for the dish overall. It was tossed in some, but the flavor didn't come thru as bold as i had hoped. perhaps some bacon bits in it would have hit another flavor trigger on my taste buds personally haha. Overall though it was still a good pasta. All the pastas were al dente. Came out hot and quick. We really liked the calamari, fresh, not chewy, not overly battered. Would def get two of these next time! The staff was super nice, got a tiramisu desert for the birthday boy! Nice light and a sugar kick. read more

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Had a reservation. First I was told everyone in my party needed to be present before we could be seated. When we all were present then I was told my table was not ready. One of my party has mobility issues and difficulty standing for long periods. Despite having a reservation we waited over 30 minutes for our table while we stood outside. I was told the party at my table had paid their bill and they were waiting for them to leave. It was frustrating to be told your whole party needs to be present when the table next to us dribbled in before and some after we were seated. The food is good. Prices on some items are high. We shared calamari and Caesar salads. For mains we had the 2 ragus, puttanesca, clam sauce and carbonara. The wait staff was excellent. Water glasses kept filled and bussing tables were prompt. The atmosphere is lively and loud. It was difficult to hear the people across from you. We would have enjoyed Panino more if the evening had started more promptly. On Open Table, the whole evening except for 7pm showed availabilities. What's the point of having a reservation if you can't honor it? The 3 stars service is due to seating service NOT wait staff. read more

The food is absolutely delicious. Highly recommend the food. The service was really good until it came time for the check and it took over 20 minutes to bring the check to me. We got seated downstairs in the far back corner. It is loud downstairs and there is barely any room to move. The hostesses could have put us at 4 or 5 other tables instead of making us squeeze thru the stupid setup downstairs. Remove the middle tables and give people breathing room. read more

Trattoria Il Panino - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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The prices are quite high and the portions are small. The basement is very tight. I felt like I was sitting on the people next to us. We couldn't move. The bread and olive oil is fantastic. The service is speedy. The food was just alright. Given the portions, price, and taste I wouldn't come back read more

Trattoria Il Panino - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Trattoria has unfortunately declined in quality at an extreme level and is no longer worth the price tag it commands. A group of us went out to celebrate a birthday and were met with an overall extremely disappointing experience. We were sat around 8:00 PM and had to wait in excess of 50 minutes as a result of the kitchen 'losing' the ticket. While I understand that this can happen in a busy establishment, the food did not meet the standards for the wait time or for the price. The lasagna that was ordered was completely dry of sauce and had little to no meat/filling. The only noticeable flavor was bland pasta and for a $30 meal, I was expecting much more. It unfortunately feels that the kitchen rushed this meal due to the lost ticket and produced a dry, subpar product. I have given this restaurant the benefit of the doubt in the past, but this unfortunately is the final straw. It is clear that Trattoria and Depasquale ventures does not value their customers as no resolution was offered as a result of the wait or when we alerted the staff to the quality of the food. For the price point and location, there are much better alternatives in Boston. read more

Trattoria Il Panino - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Service was fantastic! Our server was very attentive, and it felt like a small restaurant feel. We came with a big group at the beginning of the evening, and they were able to seat us in the basement. Everyone LOVED their food. Fan favorites were the mushroom ravioli stuff (forget what it was called) and the carbonara! Drinks were fantastic as well:) read more

Trattoria Il Panino - Birthday dessert - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Great food and service. We ordered the calamari which was our least favorite of everything we ate - some pieces were over cooked, some under cooked, and it didn't have great flavor. Everything else was fantastic. We got the Bibb salad which was refreshing and tasty. I ordered the trombetta Al pesto, others at table ordered the lobster ravioli and ricotta ravioli. Everything had fantastic flavor. Portions are huge, no one could finish. Service was quick and attentive. Bread and olive oil is also included with the meal. Would come back! read more

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Trattoria Il Panino came recommended to me by a friend and it did not disappoint! I was nervous because I did not have a reservation, but I came right when they opened and they were able to accommodate me as a single diner before it got too busy. I was pleasantly surprised by their house Cabernet Sauvignon. I chose the Mom's Lasagna Della Casa. It is rich and saucy with layers upon layers of handmade lasagna noodles and topped with freshly grated parm. Simply delicious. Highly recommend. The trattoria il panino has a long history in the North End of Boston and the service and ambiance reflects that old world feel. Looking forward to returning. read more

Trattoria Il Panino - Mom's Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

If you're looking for ambiance, this is the place for you. It's in a great area of town, with a lot of small shops to browse. The restaurant itself is very intimate-feeling. The service was very minimal-- maybe because we came around 5PM, and the restaurant was already very busy. The waitress didn't explain the dishes to us, and only showed up a couple times throughout the night with our dishes and the bill. We ordered the calamari, boston bibb, veal chop melanese, lamb scottatido, and cacio e pepe. The calamari and lamb were our favorites! Very flavorful and fresh. Everything else was high quality, but lacking in seasoning. We had to dip the veal in the lamb's sauce, as it wasn't flavored at all, and the cacio e pepe was also minimally salted. Overall, it was an average experience. read more

Trattoria Il Panino - Veal chop melanese - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The hostess acted like we were bothering her even though we arrived on time for our reservation. As we waited nearby for our table, she was bad-mouthing another customer. The interior is tight and we got a not so great table next to the stairs. With the 5th person being sat in the aisle across from us I was bumped often with people bustling thru the restaurant. It was a busy place. Our waiter was an older gentleman with gold bracelets. Not rude but also not overly friendly like he was to the next tables over. I can only imagine he could tell we weren't regulars. Service was adequate. We got a Caesar salad to split, cheese ravioli and chicken parmigiana. The salad was delicious. The ravioli were ok but could not compare to our previous evenings ravioli in a neighboring restaurant. The ravioli were in a heavy garlic red sauce, although delicious, it gave my husband heartburn in the middle of the night. My chicken was OK. It was not at tender as I would like and the breading was not as crispy as I would have preferred. We were regretting not going back to the other restaurant. Search my reviews to find it. We left full but not completely satisfied. There are better Italian restaurants in the area. I probably won't try them again. read more

Trattoria Il Panino - This table but in a very full restaurant should be for people without reservations. - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Came for lunch. Overall I'm not sure what I was expecting except base on the reviews I saw was for some exceptional and as some have posted "Devine" pasta. It was good don't get me wrong but was it $25 a plate good? For lunch?? Overpriced is what I was left feeling. Ambiance felt simplistic- nothing too fancy or modern. Dim lights regular structural issues with chip paint and saw some broken ceiling tile. Service was fine for me. My daughter is used to southern hospitality as our didn't smile, didn't ask any questions other than what we ordered. read more

Trattoria Il Panino - Trombetta al Pesto - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The atmosphere was so beautiful and homey. The food was delicious! Staff was family style welcoming... read more

We stopped by after a local escape room and got a seat at the bar in this very packed restaurant. Delicious food, bartended was both helpful and engaging, we will definitely return when back in the area. read more

such a cute restaurant in the north end. it was a party of 2 & we were sat immediately & attended to. for food we started with the caprese salad which was soo fresh! & we ordered the alla vodka pasta with a chicken cutlet & cacio pepe. we were served fresh bread with olive oil while we waited on the entree read more

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"A bottle of red, a bottle of white It all depends upon your appetite I'll meet you any time you want In our Italian restaurant" (Billy Joel) The North End of Boston is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to Italian restaurants. So, it's sure not surprising that we found a good one when the four of us had lunch at Trattoria Il Panino. We were munching on their complimentary Italian bread while checking out their menu. Two of us went with La Romana Traditional Caesar salads ($13.99) with add ons of Chicken Cutlet ($7.99) and four Grilled Shrimp ($11.95). Our other choices were an Octopus Salad with Potatoes, celery & green olives ($18.99), and a Melanzane alla Parmigiana (Baked eggplant mozzarella & tomato) for $18.99. I had Octopus Salad and it was fantastic. I usually order octopus whenever I can but am always a little wary of it being rubbery and overcooked. Not here! The chef did a great job and my salad was chocked full of diced octopus, diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, and tender diced potatoes in a vinaigrette. It was a fantastic dish, and a pretty good-sized portion for $18.99. My wife's eggplant was excellent (I knew because I mooched a forkful). It was a multi layered beauty of tender eggplant, sauce, and cheese. It was quite delicious. Our excellent Italian lunch ran $91.91 and we all loved our dishes. read more

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I came here for lunch with a coworker and we got seated early AND I found parking on Hanover street just 2 blocks away. Already started off my experience on a high. We had friendly service waiting on our table and the homie Italian ambiance is very inviting. It was surprising to see they had so many open reservations for lunch but I'm so glad they did! I've never personally seen it so empty but I'm not complaining. :) We ordered the meatballs as an app: It came in a pan with plenty of red sauce with a pretty crunchy slice of bread and a generous slab of ricotta cheese which meant for a great dip to scrape the bread in. Would get these again! I didn't try the zucchini flowers since there was prosciutto in them and I don't like prosciutto but they looked delicious. My coworker did mention she liked these. I ordered the Penne Al Pomodoro and it was divine! I finished the whole entire dish. They have a delicious red sauce and the pasta was perfectly cooked just how I like it. The portion was also just enough. I was stuffed but also left no pasta behind. A great lunch in the North End for sure! read more

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The north end we go! I came in with very low expectations but actually had a great time! My mom wanted to visit this spot because she went here in 2018 and always remembered the lasagna. Fast forward 6 years later and they are no longer family owned and one of the locations of a restaurant monopoly along with Bricco and Umbria. This usually comes in my opinion means higher pricing and not as great quality food. The inside was open air just like many of its North end neighbors and was perfect for the sunny day. I got the cacio o pepe which was yummy but the pesto dish my sister got was missing the flavor . Entrees were $25-30 each and pretty small for an average person. Our server, who I wish I knew her name was such a sweetheart, definitely made the lunch even better. She was very patient and kind to my little brother in small ways that made a difference then how I see him treated sometimes. Not a bad spot overall but nothing that stands out to bring me back especially with how pricey it is. What we got cacio o pepe Mom's Lasagna della Casa Trombetta al Pesto Price $$ Food 6 Atmosphere 6 Service 8 read more

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Stopped in after a recommendation and was impressed from start to finish. Arriving early worked out perfectly, and the staff handled seating smoothly as the room filled up. The wine list delivered a solid house pour, and the kitchen clearly takes pride in its craft. The lasagna was comforting and flavorful, with tender pasta, a rich sauce, and a generous finish of cheese. Portions felt just right without being heavy. The atmosphere carries a classic neighborhood charm that makes you want to linger, while service stayed attentive without hovering. Overall, it delivered a satisfying, authentic experience that stands out in the area. I'd gladly return and recommend it for a dependable Italian meal. read more

My husband and I went here on our honeymoon trip to Boston. It was divine! Our servers were so nice, the ambiance was clean and friendly, and the food was delicious. I highly recommend the mushroom ravioli! Worth every penny, just make sure you make a reservation! read more

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The Pasta If you are looking for an unpretentious trattoria with good food served up true Italian style, then this is your restaurant. Trattoria Il Panino is quite popular with the younger crowd in the North End as it's prices are more affordable than a lot of its neighbors. Stopped in here and grabbed a plate of Cacio e Pepe and a couple of real espresso martinis. Freshly made delicious pasta delicately combined with pecorino romano and black pepper, absolutely delicious. The only complaint is the drinks are small and priced big. I know it's the North End but an espresso martini that you drink in two sips is small. Overall a very good spot. Thanks read more

Trattoria Il Panino - Espresso Martini - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

After leaving a cocktail mixer at Big Night Live late in the evening (where we missed all the passed hors d'oeuvres), my best friend and I was absolutely famished and looking for something remarkable to eat. We had two choices: 1) Go left to the North End or 2) right to Faneuil Hall/Downtown. We decided to go left and see what Italian delights would await us. We were not disappointed when we came upon Trattoria il Panino. With so many great classics to choose from, we shared a calamari, and then we ordered the chicken Parmesan with spaghetti and lasagna of the day (beef with vodka sauce) and neither disappointed...even the sliced bread that we were served was simple, but absolutely delicious with olive oil. The food came out fast, but did not taste like fast food and we enjoyed all of it. I have to give a HUGE shout out to our server Steven and the whole staff. Everyone was so warm and friendly, and Steven especially had a bright smile and a wonderful demeanor. The crew who was on duty last night deserves praise for their great service and creating a lovely atmosphere. I highly recommend this location and I will be back again. read more

Trattoria Il Panino - Lasagna of the day - beef with vodka sauce - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Calamari-was not the best, the batter keeps falling apart and the sauce was not that great. I like my calamari with white sauce usually. Carbonara pasta with chicken- was delicious. Full of flavor and the chicken was so CRISPY. Mmm it was so good my friend kept eating my pasta. Cheese ravioli- was a bit too hard, it could have been a bit softer in my opinion. My friend said it was ok definitely not as good as the carbonara. Our server was very nice and attentive. Although we didn't get his name. He served us well. It was actually pretty busy in here compared to the restaurant next door. It is very spacious for the North End. Has another room right when you walk in too. I would definitely come back and try the tortellini pasta next time. Note: i just witnessed a waitress coming out of the women's restroom stall not washing her hands and leaving the bathroom! Disgusting! She was a waitress at this restaurant too! . If you work with food please dont forget to wash your hands. Even if you are just opening the bathroom stalls and not using the toilet you still need to wash your hands ‍ read more

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i've been to Trattoria Il Panino only twice, and i love it. consistent quality, great service and beautiful ambiance. at first we were given seating next to the kitchen, but we saw a couple clear tables and we asked to be moved closer to the staircase which they had no problem with. the bread starter is perfect and fresh, super soft on the inside and crispy outside. we shared the meatball starter which was 2 big meatballs, and while we loved it, we both agreeed it could have a bit more flavor or spice. the whipped ricotta with the meatballs is perfect. the carbonara was amazing - highly recommended, and the penne al pomodoro was delicious. kevin is a fantastic server, they were extremely busy on labor day and he checked in with us frequently (but not too much) to make sure everything was up to par. A+ hospitality. MEATBALLS 9/10 PENNE AL POMODORO 8.5/10 CARBONARA 10/10 would absolutely return when looking for a reliable, delicious, authentic italian meal. ambiance: 5/5 food: 4.6/5 service: 5/5 trattoria il panino: 4.9/5 read more

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Came here for dinner on a Friday night for some drinks and dinner. It's a popular place, so come prepared with a reservation. We ended up getting a lemon drop and a pistachio martini. The pistachio martini had a very strong artificial flavoring, almost to the point of being too overpowering. I got the Gnocchi alla Sorrentina because I wanted to try their homemade gnocchi. It was soft and pillowy. Texturally, it was a huge step up from the dried version you make at home. I wouldn't say that sauce was anything special, but it was a good dish overall. Because I had seen so much hype online, I had high expectations, and the meal fell flat for me, especially considering the price point. read more

Trattoria Il Panino - Pistachio martini, Lemon drop - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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unattentive wait staff, cheap wine by the glass, poorly prepared small portion food at very high prices, exceptionally long wait to be served. Our party of eight will not be returning again,........ever!!!! There are many exceptional resturants in the north end....this is not one of them. As a grand finally we requested a coffee and capuchino....surprise, they dont serve either. Thank you, we saved another big charge for the bad service. Basically we paid $600.00 for bad food and service. Good luck with that. Fra Dravilo had no spice and only 3 clams mostly rubbery squid and a very small portion of spigetti. I was totally discusted and disipointed. Never again.!!!!! read more

Had to find something palatable after a bruins game so we stumbled upon this place. The Veal Chop Milanese ($49.99) is a big slap of fried and breaded veal chop size of my fat face. It's very crispy, and the veggies and tomatoes balance out the greasiness. The veal is not heavily seasoned so you can taste the meat. But it does get kinda greasy and boring at the end. We also had to get a pasta dish, Mezzi Paccheri al Ragú ($28.99). The ragu sauce is delicious, a little on the salty side, but filled with flavors. The rigatoni was chewy and wheaty. The appetizer Calamari Fritti has fried jalapeño in it to give it a bit of a kick, which I like a lot ($16.99). The restaurant has an intimate ambiance as everything is pretty close together. Service is really fast and our server is literally Johnny on the spot. Definitely would recommend if you're up for some late night Italian food. read more

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Mussels: 4/5 (delicious broth) Lobster ravioli: 5/5 (AMAZING) Espresso martini: 5/5 (best light martini I've had in Boston. Especially when I usually prefer dark) Service: 4/5 (not very friendly but perfectly fine and attentive) read more

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Wow! This place was amazing. I was blown away by the food. The vibe was decent, and the service was pretty good! I got the ravioli porcini and it was phenomenal. It was very rich in flavor, but not too overpowering. I ate it all really fast. The ravioli con aragosta was also pretty delicious. It had a nice creamy tomato sauce and a hint of lobster. Overall, all the food was delicious. Our waiter was really nice, and our food came out quickly. We made a reservation and were sat as soon as our whole party arrived. The restaurant had very moody lighting, and felt very intimate. I'd happily go back here! The food is what made the experience read more

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Going to the North End for Italian food should be a requirement for anyone visiting Boston! Trattoria II Panino will definitely do you justice! There were three of us dining and we all thoroughly enjoyed everything! With the summer heat in Boston, and no air conditioning in this area, it made for a mildly uncomfortable meal as it quite hot inside and out. I'm not going to sing a star for that. The great service with recommendations, atmosphere and food was a great way to end a long workday! Bellini's to start with calamari and slight heat to the dipping marinara. I went with Osso Buco and risotto, which was amazing. Pasta with pink sauce was said to be wonderful as well! We were also served crusty bread to enjoy before and during our meal. Leftovers were boxed up and send with me to enjoy the follow day for lunch. I won't hesitate to return, it was truly wonderful! read more

We sat in what seemed to be an enclosed outdoor space between two disconnected spaces. What is this? The floor was uneven, chair seats were very low to the ground. I had the sensation my dinner companion was hovering over me. The food was good but cold!!! The bathroom is literally in the kitchen where they are cooking. It was unclean and disgusting! No toilet paper and it smelled! I've been in cleaner bathrooms at a roadside gas station! read more

This place was a little disappointing. We came here because we took forever to find parking and it was one of the few that stayed open late. There were a lot of people and the ratings looked good so we took a chance with it. First off, the host isn't aware of what tables are available and told us to sit at the bar as they do full service there. The bar didn't look comfortable for us to enjoy dinner because it was narrow and really busy so we said we'd wait and then she checked and there was an open table after all. It was so dark that you can't even read the menu. We asked our server about dishes and what she recommended. She didn't seem to know much about how the dishes were and wasn't very helpful. We ended up ordering calamari, cacio e pepe and carbonara. The calamari was good, but the pasta dishes were ok. The noodles were undercooked and it didn't match up to a 4 star rating. The portions are big though, which would have been great if the food was mind blowing. Dishes average $25/plate so to get mediocre food was disappointing. read more

Trattoria Il Panino - Calamari - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Quick seating. Open later on weekdays than other spots. All I can say is truly it was just okay. Truly nothing special. The appetizer bread was okay. Nothing really special it was a bit cold as well. I saw many people complain about how the place should just warm the bread which I also agree For items that I ordered, there were three: For an appetizer I got the Calamari fritti - I can't get Italian food and not get a classic fried calamari. Came with a red sauce that wasn't so thick, not that bad. Some fried battered peppers came with them too. The squeeze of lemon put everything together nicely. Nothing amazing but it was a solid appetizer done right. Couldn't take the sauce back because they had no containers with lids??? I thought that was weird Couldn't make up my mind on the entrees so I ended up getting two ravioli that people boasted about on the reviews. The mushroom (white) and the lobster (red) Ravioli con aragosta (Lobster ravioli with crab sauce)- sauce is good but a little too salty for my liking. Ravioli porcini - the Mushroom one - this was also just okay. Extremely salty. Service was alright though. Could also be better. Didn't feel like eating in so I took the rest for takeout read more

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Unbelievable meal, everything was so fresh and delicious. Service was 10/10 so attentive and speedy. Truly one of the best meals we've had out in Boston. Would highly recommend read more

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Best Italian food ever! They had 2 people standing outside and they sit you down. We sat down pretty fast. Once you sit down you are served water and bread. It doesn't come with butter but there is oil at the table and we sprinkled some pepper to tickle our fancy. We are the following: Cesar Salad: enough for 2 people. The picture doesn't do it justice but it is a lot of salad. The croutons are flavorful and the Cesar dressing was creamy and delicious. Ravioli con Aragosta: lobster ravioli with crab meat sauce....listen get this. This plate was amazing! It is 5 large ravioli stuffed beyond measure with lobster and the sauce has actually pieces of lobster and crab. The sauce was as if heaven opened up and made it. Especially when you dip the bread they gave you into it. Pure magic y'all *chef kiss* Gnocchi alla Sorrentina: this was my husbands plate. Gnocchi in a tomato sauce with mozzarella. When he would pull the gnocchi you would see the cheese pull. He said it was 10/10. Would highly recommend to visit! read more

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Great service and food! I like American beer and they actually had several!! Yay! Food was amazing! I had homemade pasta and bolognese and my friend had lasagna. We both loved the food! Hard to go wrong in North End. We will definitely be back! read more

Trattoria Il Panino - Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Its a very busy and bustling restaurant. Its bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside. They have pretty solid Italian food and i bring out of town visitors here because it's usually pretty good with reservation availability. Service is generally pretty ok and the food hasn't let me down yet! read more

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The food was incredible! We both had the carbonara as that was the main reason we came. The service wasn't great, which is the reason for the 4/5 stars. Once we were seated, it was 21 minutes before our server came by. The only staff to pay attention to us was the nice lady filling our waters. Once our server finally came, he didn't apologize or acknowledge his tardiness. The pastas are served in these pans adding to the cool experience. Also, the largest portions of pasta we have ever personally had at any restaurant. Needless to say, we enjoyed the food & drink immensely once we got our servers attention. We will likely be back next time with hopes of a better customer service experience. read more

Trattoria Il Panino - Carbonara - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

My friends and I came here as it was one of the last places we could make short notice reservations for. We arrive 10 minutes after the reservation and got seated no problem by the friendly hostess. We ordered a round of cosmos which were made with a heavy hand of alcohol. They were pretty at least. For appetizers, we shared an order of the mussels along sides the complementary bread. The sauce was mostly tomato lacking a prominent garlic or seafood flavor. The bread served on top was also rock hard and essentially inedible. For entrees, my sister wasn't so hungry so she opted for the shrimp appetizer and a side of broccoli rabe. Her friend ordered the tortellini while I decided on the spaghetti alla vongolle. The plump shrimp was cooked in a yummy wine sauce. The rabe was cooked well and was a good amount considering it was a side portion. I liked how creamy and flavorful the sauce was for the tortellini and just had to use our leftover bread to finish the pan. For my dish, I was pretty disappointed with it tasting like the mussel appetizer of only tomato. Overall, I had an okay experience as our waiter seemed to be uninterested in our table after we said we weren't going to get another round of drinks. Food itself is either a hit or miss so I'm not sure if I'd choose this place over other options so close by. read more

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Overall great place! This is my go to spot for Italian in the North End, though I'm not the most familiar with the area, out of the places I've been to Trattoria stands out the most. The Calamari is one of my favorites ever and is a must try. If you don't eat too much, I would do family style with 3 entrees for a party of 4. Great place for a date night as well and definitely can be busy in the evenings. Knocking it down to a 4 because during our last visit when we asked for water, without informing us or giving us options, they served us water that cost money which I thought was a bit deceptive. This was the first time out of 3 visits though which was surprising. read more