North End
North End
4.5
About
Boston's Little Italy is the city’s oldest neighborhood, famous for its Italian restaurants and pastry shops, and centuries-old architecture. Stroll around this Italian American enclave to discover its narrow, cobbled alleys and iconic streets like Hanover Street. The best way to taste some of the fantastic food here is by joining a walking food tour. Or book yourself on a history tour to learn about the significance of landmarks like Paul Revere's house and the Old North Church. The North End is also part of the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile path that retraces the early history of the United States across 16 significant locations. – Tripadvisor
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Neighborhood: North End
Wandering around Boston’s North End can feel like being transported to Europe. Stroll down Hanover and Salem streets for the finest Italian restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and a few boutique shops. Take part in the big debate as to whether Modern Pastry or Mike’s serves a better cannoli. Before your food coma sets in, make sure to stop by historic Paul Revere’s home, and follow the Freedom Trail to Old North Church and Copp’s Hill Burying Ground. Take a rest in a cafe on Hanover street and observe the quirky, European character of the North End.
How to get there
- Haymarket • 5 min walk
- North Station • 8 min walk
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Restaurants
2,553 within 5 kms
Attractions
943 within 10 kms
See what travelers are saying
- purplevortexCharlton, New York66 contributionsWalk around aimlessly! So much to see.Walk around aimlessly, there's so much to see. Take the road less traveled. Come hungry. Don't be put off by the lines at the bakeries, they move fast. Grab a gelato. People watch. But make dinner reservations in advance!Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 14, 2023
- Dave WBradenton, Florida9 contributionsThe North End is a must visit if you’re in BostonIf you like home style Italian food, old buildings , brick and cobblestone roads that are very narrow and pastry shops you’ll love the north end. I’m a foodie so this place is like heaven to me. It really doesn’t matter which restaurant you choose to have lunch or dinner in, they’re all great. You don’t need to wait outside the ones that have long lines and a 1 1/2 hour wait, you can’t go wrong with any of them. Stop in and try them if you weren’t impressed then try another one the next day. About the only difference is the service. Some great, some good but none of them are bad. If they were they wouldn’t be here anymore. The food is great in every one of them. I’ve eaten in at least 50 of them and they’re all good. Same thing with the big 3 pastry shops. Mike’s gets the longest lines but Modern or Bova’s are just as good or better. People I’ve talked to like the cannolis at Mike’s the best but I like Moderns pastries better and Bova’s is open 24/7 and been there the longest. Hanover and Salem are the two streets where most everything is but don’t forget to go down the side streets either because there are a lot of great places to eat on them too. Very narrow streets and lots of people in the north end but it’s a MUST to visit.Visited October 2023Traveled with friendsWritten October 17, 2023
- OrlandoMouseSt. Augustine, Florida2,318 contributionsI never knew Boston had a great Italian Food areaWhat can one say about the North End, so many restaurants, so many bars, so many bakeries, so much history and so little time to take it all in. The Freedom Trail can take you through some of the historical sights but there is more. Hanover Street is the most dominant of Italian restaurant offerings. Who knew that the North End of Boston would be an Italian Food Haven. Take an adventure on the many side streets and discover bakeries, seafood, small pubs, for any foodie or gastro hunter, it is an adventure zone. So many of these restaurants and pastry shops reviews can be found online. The architecture is also unique and adds character to the neighborhood. Take several hours or several days to explore, to eat, to enjoy.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 26, 2023
- christopherbO9687MPActon, Massachusetts745 contributionsGreat Boston neighborhood to visit on footThe North End is a great Boston neighborhood to visit on foot for its many restaurants & shops. The main shopping & restaurant district concentrates on Hannover Street. Italian restaurants of every description (and price point) are along that street, as are numerous pastry shops. Also wander through some of the quieter residential streets (many of them one-way) to see how the community lives.Visited March 2024Traveled soloWritten March 18, 2024
- DannyD81Lodi, New Jersey538 contributionsNorth End Boston...a Gem!Thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent in North End in our recent trip to Boston. Its Little Italy is my favorite of any of the major cities, and they have some of the best food and pastry shops. Very peaceful to stroll around, except for all the Red Sox gear that other people are wearing! Go Yankees!Visited June 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 19, 2024
- bakerm2290Raleigh, North Carolina435 contributionsClassic!Just walking around brings you back in history! Our favs: Mike's Pastry, Carmelinas, Modern Pastry, Salumeria Italiana, the Paul Revere statue, and the list goes on! Take plenty of time to just take it all in!Visited July 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 29, 2024
- Kim CLa Crosse, Wisconsin883 contributionsLOVED everything....Stayed at a lovely boutique hotel (Harborside Inn) which was just a few steps away from everything we wanted to see and do: Freedom Trail, water, restaurants, etc. Easy to get transportation as well as feel the heartbeat of the city. Loved the restaurants that we could just walk over and pop into whenever we were ready!Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 8, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
7,255 reviews
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221
Poor
25
Terrible
17
DocHowie
Boston, MA43 contributions
Nov 2019
I am actually from Boston and have visited the North Bend on numerous occasions. A neighborhood that was once an Italian enclave is now home to overpriced restaurants and crowds of people both day and night, 7 days a week.
Where a bowl of pasta Bolognese will cost you almost $20 (that’s basically pasta with meat sauce) where parking will require you to cash in your 401(k) plan to get your car back..
Where restaurants don’t publish prices on their online menu. Where asking for Veal Parmesan is met with “No we don’t have that but you can choose Our Veal Marsala”. Which is $31 and good luck finding the veal in all the mushrooms.
The old neighborhoods are not what they used to be!
Where a bowl of pasta Bolognese will cost you almost $20 (that’s basically pasta with meat sauce) where parking will require you to cash in your 401(k) plan to get your car back..
Where restaurants don’t publish prices on their online menu. Where asking for Veal Parmesan is met with “No we don’t have that but you can choose Our Veal Marsala”. Which is $31 and good luck finding the veal in all the mushrooms.
The old neighborhoods are not what they used to be!
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim Curtin
Walpole, MA12 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
Walking through the streets of the North End reminds me of my visits to Florence. The pandemic has one silver lining with the restaurants being allowed by the City to conduct al fresco dining on the sidewalks and parking spaces; hopefully a new seasonal trend that gives it a European flair.
As it is a part of the Freedom Trail it as well is a treasure chest of historic sites and tails. You will occasionally hear conversations in Italian that gives you appreciation for one of the romance languages.
A must see for tourists and residents alike.
As it is a part of the Freedom Trail it as well is a treasure chest of historic sites and tails. You will occasionally hear conversations in Italian that gives you appreciation for one of the romance languages.
A must see for tourists and residents alike.
Written December 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jack M
New York City, NY1,191 contributions
Sep 2021
I had visited the North End in the past. I always liked its atmosphere and historical aspects. This time, however, I realized on VERY difficult it is to visit this neighborhood. Access and parking is inexistent (unless willing to pay as much as $40 dollars in a private garage). I have a handicapped placard and yet I could find no place for me to park. And what's with the residents only parking places on the street? In other words it took me cc. 40 minutes of driving in circles before I could park the car far from the Norg End.
Bottom line. Will not visit this tourist unfriendly place again.
Bottom line. Will not visit this tourist unfriendly place again.
Written September 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HK3864
13 contributions
Jul 2020
It's more charming than Little Italy in NYC where it's been overtaken by Chinatown there. (I'm from Hong Kong so it is not racist statement.) And not sure if any Italians still live there. But I think there are still Italians/Italian-Americans living in the North End. Many delicious Italian food places.
Those 2 old men who played a few tunes of their violin and asked people sitting outside for money were annoying. They were just UNPLEASANT. And never smiled. One could tell they did NOT enjoy doing what they were doing. Why would any couple want to pay THEM any money?
Those 2 old men who played a few tunes of their violin and asked people sitting outside for money were annoying. They were just UNPLEASANT. And never smiled. One could tell they did NOT enjoy doing what they were doing. Why would any couple want to pay THEM any money?
Written January 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
frank p
1 contribution
May 2022
We met Bobby Agrippino our tour guide and proprietor of North End. He was very friendly and grew up in the Northern part of Boston. Bobby's tour consisted of walking along each street with information about the restaurants, churches, schools and the home where Rose Kennedy was born. With each restaurant we entered there was pizza, Italian sandwiches, araicini, foglio and cannolis from the famous Mike's Bakery. Do not eat lunch. Bobby will make sure you leave full!
Written May 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AngelRay
Russell, MA3 contributions
Feb 2022
This was our first trip to Boston's historic North End. There are so many wonderful restaurants and highlights to see. We ate the most delicious cannoli and drank the frothiest cappuccino at the oldest cafe in the North End! It was full of antiques and warm with the buzz of comforting conversations. Can't wait to go back!
Written February 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
homie41
Larbert, UK13 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Fantastic city would recommend Boston to anyone looking for a grown up American city adventure. Everyone is so nice and polite . We went to a Red Sox game on a Friday night what a amazing exciting night . Headed off to the ocean to see the whales ( they did not disappoint) looking forward to going again some day
Boston we miss you very much
Boston we miss you very much
Written August 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mel C
coral gables140 contributions
Apr 2019
The Italian restaurants are fine, but what you really want to do is steel your nerves and drive through the neighborhood for over an hour to find a place to park. Negotiating narrow one-way streets that abruptly end is a wonderful way to pass the time. NOT. Honestly, I got so frazzled that I drove out of the place all the way to our hotel on the South Shore and ate a pizza while the rest of the family dined somewhere on Prince Street. Paul Revere's Old North Church is here, if you have the temperament to find it. Ciao.
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TrailTrekker15
Tallahassee, FL5,496 contributions
Feb 2022 • Solo
I spent much of my time in Boston in the North End Neighborhood. The neighborhood has the feel of an old European city with narrow streets and old buildings. Part of the Freedom Trail runs through the neighborhood including Paul Revere’s House and the Old North Church. The food was incredible! I had dinner at BenCotto Italian and dessert a couple of times at Bova’s Bakery. This is a must-visit area of Boston!
Written March 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katie
10 contributions
Nov 2019
If you like italian food (like myself), this is pretty darn close to cuisine heaven. Even the scenery feels very italian-ish, narrow streets, lots of old buildings everywhere and a mixture of gelato and pasta just about everywhere you go. The only bad part is how crowded it got. Friend and I went on a Friday and saw a huge line outside Giacomo's, which we had heard was the best restaurant. It seems however, they did not take reservations. If you are walking around it is hard to know where to go or what prices to expect, as the menus outside don't always reflect serving sizes. However, despite the trouble navigating I would definitely recommend checking this out to all the foodies out there!
Written February 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are visiting from Virginia and staying in Cambridge. What "T" stop would we take from Central to get to North End? (Inbound, correct?) Thank you.
Written August 27, 2021
I can’t really answer that, but there are good maps for the Metro and bus system!
Written August 29, 2021
My boyfriend and I are visiting Boston next month and he's a big history nerd. I saw North End has a lot of historic sites so I was considering staying there. Is North End a safe neighborhood for tourists to stay in? What other neighborhoods would you guys recommend?
Written February 28, 2019
Yes, the North End is very safe for travelers, very walkable and is the heart of the the historic sites in Boston. Your history geek will love it there! The Freedom Trail winds all through that area and the food is incredible!
Written February 28, 2019
desantisjudy
Melrose Park, Illinois
August date for the St. Anthony Feast? What is the hotel nearest to the Church and feast site?
Written January 20, 2018
I love the Harborside Inn, as it's a quick walk over there and a great location.
Written January 22, 2018
Randy A
Davao City, Philippines
Where can we eat lobster clambake without the long line and wait in North End?
Written September 12, 2017
Sorry to be so late with this response, been traveling :-) If you're looking for a true "lobster bake" you won't find that at a restaurant. Those types of things need to be catered. There are lines most everywhere unless you choose to eat dinner at 5 pm, you'll be seated immediately.
Written September 26, 2017
Hello everyone 1st time in Boston need to know where to park when going to Quincey market ? Thank you
Written July 21, 2017
There are several parking lots along the wharf by the north end which is a super easy walk to Quincy Market like lewis wharf and all are safe - any of the three are where I park and there are great restaurants and things to see along the greenway as you walk over to quincy market. There is also a parking garage across the street from The Bostonian Hotel and beside quincy market. Its expensive but you are right at quincy market.
Written July 30, 2017
Hi,
Only have 1 day to spend in Boston just looking for must see attractions?
Written June 21, 2017
First things first, if you are coming in from Logan Airport and know how to work subways, you do NOT have to pay a penny getting into Boston. Take the SL1 (Silver Line 1) airport shuttle from any arriving terminal to SOUTH STATION. There, the RED LINE will take you to any other colored subway line: FREE (you are already in the subway at that point). So, once into Boston for FREE, you're best option to see many things: take a trolley tour. Old Town or City Line; the former has two-hour tours, the latter one-hour tours. Both leave from the Long Wharf/Boston Aquarium that is only a 10-minute walk from South Station. Otherwise, if you want to walk and see the most, get yourself to Boston Common/Boston Public Garden area. If you want history, get on the "Freedom Trail," a 2 1/2 mile red brick line that will walk you to 16 different historical sites. If you want to go more contemporary (Boston Public Library, Commonwealth Mall, Newbury Street, Trinity Church), walk west on Comm Ave/Boylston St/Newbury St/Huntington Avenue. Simply put, west of Charles Street = contemporary Boston, east of Charles Street = historical Boston. Why? West of Charles Street did not exist until the 1800s. East, inclusive of Boston Common, Beacon Hill, etc., that is where Boston was way back in the pre- and post-Revolutionary War period. Welcome, and have fun....
Written June 21, 2017
I will be in Boston for a week early June with my vegan daughter. Any gluten free restaurants to recommend in the North End? Thank you!
Written May 25, 2017
Hi Mebber,
Most of the places/restaurants, I believe can offer a gluten free meal for your daughter.
While in Boston, check Faneuil Hall that is really close to Hanover Street in North End.
Written May 25, 2017
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