Best North End Restaurants: A Local Dining Guide to Boston's Italian Quarter

The North End is Boston's oldest residential neighbourhood and, for more than a century, its Italian quarter. A dozen narrow streets between the Rose Kennedy Greenway and the harbour hold more sit down restaurants per block than anywhere else in the city, with cannoli counters, espresso bars and salumerie filling the gaps in between. This guide gathers the places locals actually book, from century old red sauce institutions on Hanover Street to modern trattorias on the quieter Salem Street side.

How to eat in the North End

• Book ahead. Most rooms take reservations a month out and fill quickly for Friday and Saturday nights.
• Cash is still king at a handful of long timers, including Giacomo's and Mike's Pastry.
• Skip the touts. If a host is standing outside waving a menu at tourists, keep walking.
• Order the pasta special. Chefs use the specials board to move the best produce of the week.
• Finish with a walk. The Paul Revere House and Old North Church are minutes from every table on this list.