The best restaurants in Boston's North End you should be booking

Not only is this the best restaurant in the North End, it’s one of the best restaurants in Boston. 

What to order: If there isn’t a line out front (or, if you’re willing to wait), get in there for incredible calamari—try the version that’s chopped and turned into meatballs. We also recommend any of the house-made pastas, like squid ink linguine or the made-for-sharing lobster fra diavolo.

Time Out tip: Offering a pretty unique experience, this little nook is first come, first serve, with a blackboard menu and an extremely open kitchen. 

Since opening in 2004, Neptune Oyster has been one of Boston's most in-demand options for fresh local seafood, as demonstrated by its frequent line out the door (yes, another no-reservations spot). Accented with pressed tin, subway tiles and etched glass, the tiny space sets a charming tone. 

What to order: Expert shuckers handle a variety of fresh oysters, clams, uni and more with finesse, as the kitchen cranks out a steady stream of Neptune’s lauded lobster rolls. The johnnycake is a sleeper hit, with perfectly crispy corn-pancake edges and dollops of smoked bluefish, sturgeon caviar and honey butter.

Time Out tip: A summer Saturday is appealing, we get it. But if you can be flexible at this must-try Boston spot, try weekday lunch for less of a wait.

Inspired by nostalgic red sauce joints of the '60s and '70s, this retro eatery hits all the right marks, including the old-school red and white checkered tablecloths on every table, with modern-day attention to detail.

What to order: In terms of authentic Italian American vibes, Tony & Elaine's delivers with hearty dishes like chicken parmesan, spaghetti Bolognese, lobster ravioli and more. Don’t skip the trio of cannoli for dessert.

Time Out tip: The alleyway next to T&E’s is a hidden gem for outdoor dining in the North End.

When you walk into this North Square landmark, you get the feeling of entering someone’s luxuriously historic home. But you're really in one of Boston’s truly fine dining establishments; an intimate, comfortable experience to share with family and friends.

What to order: Beef carpaccio with black summer truffle, lemon, arugula and capers; chitarra pasta with Cape Cod clams and hand-picked crabmeat.

Time Out tip: Mamma Maria boasts outdoor dining in the heart of the North End, a rare luxury in the tight neighborhood.

The oldest pizzeria in Boston, Regina can make you feel like you’ve stepped into a movie set when you enter the brick building and grab a booth.

What to order: Pizzas—we like everything on the “favorites” part of the menu, especially the sausage, pepperoni and salami loaded Giambotta. The bustling, cheery atmosphere makes you feel right at home with a pie and a pitcher of beer.

Time Out tip: Unlike the mall-food court version of Regina you may be more familiar with, the original North End location is a true destination for pizza lovers. Yet another neighborhood classic with a line out the door most nights, it’s worth the wait.

For the quintessential North End experience, look no further than Bricco. The Hanover Street headquarters of prominent restaurateur Frank DePasquale, who also operates Trattoria il Panino, Quattro, Mare and others, this bustling spot is beloved by Boston locals and visitors alike. 

What to order: Start with the must-order zucchini flowers stuffed with truffled ricotta, then dive into pillowy house-made pasta or a bone-in New York sirloin. Not to mention, Bricco pours what is arguably the best espresso martini in town.

Time Out tip: Open nightly ’til 11pm, Bricco is a late-night North End staple, with the kitchen open until 2am Fridays and Saturdays.

While most of the Italian restaurants in the North End follow a similar recipe, Table stands out from the rest, with a unique, family-style dining experience. 

What to order: The menu is ever changing, but we’ve really loved the ricotta bolognese and chicken milanese with sunflower seeds and sharp shaved parmesan. 

Time Out tip: This is the perfect spot to take a group for your birthday, or a big work celebration to team-build over a seven-course meal. 

Get a robust steakhouse experience with the intimacy of neighboring North End trattorias at chef Anthony Caturano’s Prezza, named after his grandmother’s birthplace.

What to order: This local favorite serves up expertly wood-grilled meats (the likes of braised short ribs) alongside delicate, handmade pastas such as gnocchi alla bolognese and ravioli di uovo, stuffed with ricotta and a soft egg yolk. 

Time Out tip: To pair with the menu, choose from over 6,000 wines and more than 600 labels.

You’ve got classic pizza and slices in the North End, but Ducali (from the same people behind East Boston’s Cunard Tavern) is the perfect casual pizza spot that locals love. The white tiles, brick walls and cozy wooden tables set the tone, and the craft beer menu is a welcome sight in the neighborhood.

What to order: You can’t go wrong with any of the pizzas on the core menu. Get a couple of small pies—we love the polpette with housemade meatballs and the burrata with tomato sauce, prosciutto and burrata. With a little antipasto misto, you’ve got a nice little date night in the North End.

Time Out tip: By day, Caffé Ducali serves up Italian-style espresso, piadini (rustic, thin flatbread sandwiches) and slices of a rotating selection of Ducali’s Roman-style pizzas to-go.

With a retractable roof deck and perhaps the best outdoor dining in the North End, Mare is also known for its superb seafood-forward menu. 

What to order: Start with a selection from the raw bar, or the crudo trio of yellowfin tuna, salmon and kampachi. Then try the cacio e pepe prepared tableside in a wheel of parmesan (it’s good, showy fun!)—and finish with an excellent lobster roll, or a zuppa di mare, with what seems like every fish in the ocean. 

Time Out tip: The awesome outdoor patio at Mare is outfitted with firepits and has a retractable roof for year-round enjoyment.

This nine-seat cocktail bar is a curated experience that consists of multiple beverages and paired little snacks. It’s gotten a lot of hype, and deservedly so, because it’s a bit like being at the coolest private party in town. (You should definitely buy tickets in advance.) 

What to order: You book a set experience with drinks on a theme, such as Summer Camp or agave spirits. The food is small bar bites—like tiny, house-made apple cider doughnuts that pair with your drinks—so do plan on grabbing a slice of pizza or something post-cocktail tasting.

Time Out tip: Reservations tend to book out months in advance, but the online waitlist feature comes in handy—and following @farmacianorthend’s Instagram stories sometimes leads to last-minute openings, too.

Regulars line up at this beloved North End takeout spot as early as 10am because savvy locals know not to risk missing out on thick, chewy, delectable and super-cheap slabs of Sicilian pizza. Even people waiting for a table at nearby restaurants have been known to grab a slice while they wait, which also contributes to Galleria Umberto frequently selling out by 2pm.

What to order: Saucy slices at about $2 a pop, plus crispy bites of arancini.

Time Out tip: Umberto remains cash only, but at these low prices, it’s not really a problem.

Giacomo’s is one of the most popular restaurants in all of the North End, with an unfussy, no-frills vibe that suits the crowds hungry for classic Italian-American fare. 

What to order: Keep it simple by picking linguine with the sauce of your choice (try the creamy-meets-spicy fracomo, a blend of fra diavolo and Giacomo’s signature lobster sauce), or indulge in a rich chicken marsala with prosciutto or the perfect veal parmesan.

Time Out tip: Be sure to hit the ATM beforehand because your credit card is no good at Giacomo’s.

Perched directly above the harbor on a weathered, but hopefully sturdy pier, sits this New England seafood lover’s paradise. 

What to order: Overflowing cups of clam chowder are legendary, and the hearty lobster rolls pair perfectly with a pilsner and a perfect view of the harbor.

Time Out tip: The Sail Loft’s location on the edge of the North End is among the only areas of the neighborhood where you might be able to find street parking.

Noted as one of the first restaurants to bring authentic Italian cuisine to Boston’s oldest neighborhood, modern-day Lucia’s still offers old-world cuisine and atmosphere.

What to order: The house specialty, ammazzafame, is a penne rigate with porcini, sausage, broccoli, sun-dried tomato, and capers; the lasagna is Nonna Lucia’s own recipe.

Time Out tip: Some ingredients come directly from the family-owned restaurant’s Sulmona-based agricultural farm, Masseria Frattaroli. 

We love Quattro for a laid back, crowd-pleasing dinner. Think brick-oven Neapolitan pizzas with a pillow crust straight for the oven. Try toppings like mortadella with pistachio; exotic mushroom; and figs, arugula and goat cheese. 

What to order: The handmade pastas are rich and filling, as are classic entrees like chicken parmesan and linguine with clams. 

Time Out tip: This spot has one of the best wine lists in the North End, and the pours are always generous if you sit at the bar.

This hole-in-the-wall Mexican spot is a solid go-to for a quick bite in the North End. 

What to order: Tenoch is known for its torta, a traditional pressed sandwich. The sandwich’s meat or vegetarian base is topped with Oaxaca cheese, chipotle mayo, onions, avocado and tomatoes. Tacos, quesadillas, and burritos are on the menu as well, along with Mexican sodas.

Time Out tip: Look for Tenoch’s warming bowl of pozole on special during the winter months.