50 Best Italian Restaurants near East Boston

“Was treated to a chicken parmigiana sub and aperol spritz before a flight. The waitress who assisted us was very pleasant and suggested a cost-effective and delicious sub for us to share. I haven’t had airport food that was this tasty in quite some time. Highly recommend this place if you’re at Logan and looking for reasonably priced and well-made food.“

“March 8th we had a retirement party catered from Stevie and gang at Sammys. Cold Cut Platter Assorted Calzone Chicken Boccoli and Ziti Sausage Potato Pepper and Onion Garden salad and dressing. Delivered to Saugus!!! Hot. Fresh. On time. Cost effective. Tasty!!!! Plentiful, we ran out of nothing with 50 adults, mostly men. 5 star job. ☆☆☆☆☆ Will use for the next gathering as well. Thanks All, Steve Passariello“

“Pazza is AMAZING! Great service and the food is incredible. Highly recommend!“

“This place is amazing!! The customer service was top notch!!“

“Bostons Top 50 for sure! Went 3x’s in a week, twice for dinner and once for breakfast. Every dish from the appetizer to dessert was delicious! The flavors, fresh ingredients and presentation are exceptional. The staff were super friendly and service was top notch! Can’t wait to go back. Cheers Via Cannuccia !“

“Amazing, fresh, worth going off the beaten path for!“

“Very good pizza, especially the pepperoni one, we were very well served by Gigi, very friendly and attentive.
The only thing that bothered us a little was the hostess, a bald guy with glasses, who welcomed us at the entrance to the restaurant, seemed uncomfortable with our presence, constantly looking at our table suspiciously. We were dressed the same as everyone else and our behavior was the same as everyone else there, so I really don't know what the reason was.
Other than that, great service and good food.“

“Awesomeness in their great food and wine list“

“First time at IL PONTE! Definitely not our last time. Luigi made our experience one to remember with his expertise in making the best drinks and food recommendations. Brianne welcomed us on a crowded Friday (even though it was only 5:30) and accommodated us - a party of 2. 10 out of 10. Food was the best Italian food we’ve ever had. Staff was so welcoming and kind. Will be back again soon - on a Tuesday or Friday - because Luigi is the best! Thank you for a great experience ❤️“

“My favorite restaurant we live in Southern NH I will only go there to eat in Boston just there yesterday for Lunch , Food and Service is outstanding we also had our daughters wedding there. Staff and food was amazing service is very professional no other place I rather be while visiting Boston will always come back“

“Amazing food and service with authentic Italian hospitality!“

“I attended an event yesterday at this amazing Restaurant. The atmosphere is so inviting, the drinks were delicious. Food was absolutely scrumptious. And the staff all so kind and friendly. I highly recommend stopping in for a cocktail or dinner, you won’t be disappointed!!!“

“Hands down the best in Davis. Don't think twice about going to eat here! 10/10 atmosphere 10/10 staff 10/10 food 10/10 drinks Don't believe me? Go and see for yourselves! :)“

“The food was so good it didn't even matter that the date didn't go well. Everybody involved in the service was great, John, Helena, and a manager I think. John's guidance was primordial in terms of food experience. The special with the Linguini, Black Bass and Calamari it's out of this world. Even tho it was full I never felt like I wasn't able to comfortably talk with my date. $200 plus tip for 2 apps, 2 entrees, 4 drinks and dessert felt pretty well spent honestly. 10/10 experience definitely coming back.“

“We tried pizza Bianca, the famous salad and pasta with aged balsamic, and finally the ricotta cheese cake. Everything was vey good. The favorite dish was the pasta. I scored it 4/5 because I think the food portion was small. But definitely one of the best Italian dishes in the area! 👌“

“I loved the spaghetti here, and everybody loved the food too! Thank you, we will come again!“

“Excellent variety of un *americanized" Italian fare. The lobster tasted very fresh. Service time was a little slow but my table ordered two different temperatures of steak. Overall very pleased. Prices were reasonable. Staff were very friendly and accommodating. Recommended highly“

“Wow, wow, and wow again! What a treat that my dear friend and I happened upon this GEM! At first glance it doesn’t look like much from the outside, but when you step inside it’s like entering a whole new world. It is elegant and beautiful, a fantastic combination of fine dining with an atmosphere like coming home. Such a quaint spot with the best quality Italian food I have ever had. Cristiano was the kindest server on the planet, so attentive, and so welcoming! As a worker in the food service industry, I was blown away! First off, drinks. To our surprise, Arancini has a BYOB policy (SO COOL! People had brought their own bottles of wine, which Cristiano offered to open and put on ice). Other than that, they offer your typical sodas, some juice, and a variety of sparkling and still water options. Let’s talk food. Right away, they bring fresh, warm, house-made bread, with fantastically seasoned dipping oil. Other than that, we started off with the Caesar salad and the friend mozzarella appetizer. The Caesar salad (despite it being just about the most basic thing that someone can order) was so well put together. It had just the right amount of dressing, and fresh grated, high quality parmesan cheese! The mozzarella app was quite possible the tastiest thing I have ever put in my mouth. Oh my god, it just about dissolved in my mouth. Imagine the best mozzarella sticks you’ve ever had in your life, but the cheese is so high quality and it is freshly battered and friend minutes before it is brought to your table. Never frozen - just made hot and fresh for you to eat. Don’t even get me started on the marinara sauce. Again, clearly house-made and so fresh. I could’ve had it as a soup! For a main meal I had the most delicious fettuccini Alfredo. The sauce was TO DIE FOR. The pasta was perfectly cooked (I didn’t know pasta could even taste like that ). I asked for chicken in the pasta and… oh. my. god. I have no words. I mean I can attempt to describe it but I won’t do it justice. Tender, JUICY, and you KNOW it’s authentic because the chicken was battered in egg. I was drooling before I took a single bite. I also added broccoli and it was SO PERFECT. The whole meal, it was just the best food I have ever had I swear. PLEASE give this place a shot! You’ll probably want a reservation because I don’t think there are more than 10 tables there! It’s small but mighty. Thank you Cristiano for making this experience incredible!“

“Love everything about this place; currently our favorite N.End restaurant. The bread and oil are excellent, the beet and burrata salad was delicious and both of our entrees were great. My wife had the bolognese (which was dense with the meat mixture) and I had the chicken piccata (which had a thicker lemon butter sauce than most places prepare which made it stick to the pasta wonderfully). Highly recommend“

“Grilled Clams make it so worthwhile“

“The Boston Harbor Angels as part of the Boston Harbor Angels dinner club had a wonderful meal at Gufo. The elaborate pizzas just kept coming. They enjoyed the prosciutto and anchovies appetizers. The staff were wonderful and the atmosphere was jovial and lively. Thank you Gufo!“

“We went there tonight. The food was delicious. The staff were amazing. We loved everything about this place. Thank you for a wonderful dinning experience. We will definitely be back.“

“Exceptional Italian food. Extremely pleasant and generous offerings. Strongly recommend to family and friends.“

“Wonderful food and great service in an amazing setting!“

“Absolutely Outstanding. Ambiance, impeccable service and amazing food. Authentic. Just like my mom and grandma used to make from Sicily. Hard to find that kind of Italian food. Mostly you see Italian food from Tuscany & Calabria. Our waiter was a gem. Will come again. Tucked away a block off the touristy section. Nice quiet less bustling street. Family owned business.“

“I recently dined at Prima Italian Steakhouse, and it was an absolutely incredible experience! From the moment we walked in, the warm ambiance and rustic Italian decor set the perfect tone. The staff was friendly and attentive, making us feel like part of the family.

As for the food – wow! The ribs were perfectly cooked, tender, and flavorful, with a nice Italian twist that made it unique. We also tried the handmade pasta and some classic Italian sides, and each dish was bursting with authentic flavors. The wine selection was extensive and featured many excellent Italian options that paired beautifully with the meal.“

“Dino's Special was the best sandwich I have ever eaten!“

“My second review went less than a week. Got takeout tonight. The food is fabulous. Staff is wonderful. There was a mess up with the toast app. They quickly fixed it. I got to sit at the bar and talk to the bartender. Really nice guy. The food is so flavorful. Usually my wife says I can cook better than the food we eat at most restaurants. (I love to cook. Both grandfathers were chefs in Boston) She can’t say that about this one. The chefs there do a great job. Love to get some of the recipes though.“

“Phenomenal food, wine, and service. Some the best food I’ve had in Boston.“

“Great food, wonderful service. Very attentive staff.“

“I had an amazing experience and can’t wait to go back🥰“

“Stopped by Davios on my way out of logan. Food was pretty good. Had the burger which was very filling if you're hungry. The bartender Diego was awesome! Friendly knowledgeable and hilarious. I'll be stopping in again and again just for the great service!“

“Another wonderful family lunch today! Thank you Chris and the Carlo’s Cucina family. My second visit in three weeks. We’ll definitely be back! My new favorite dining spot on my visits to Allston, from the Cape. 👍🍽️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Mark N.“

“The food was very tasty, but the overall experience was a little unsatisfying. We had a reservation for 8pm but were not seated until 8:20, after being told it would be 10 minutes a few times. It was extremely loud and hard to hear each other talk, but I guess that speaks to how popular it was on a Saturday night.“

“What amazing food! Salvo took such good care of us. Recommended fabulous dinners and made us a specialty cocktail. Highly recommend!“

“Outstanding menu that changes seasonally and with specials. Service is superb! Especially Christina. We love to visit and eat here with goid friends. Never a bad meal. A plus! 10 stars! All quality food! Worth every penny. Love pans cota too!“

“Gigi’s had everything we were looking for in a cozy dinner date spot! The atmosphere struck the perfect balance between intimate and lively, with soft lighting and chic decor that made us feel at home the moment we walked in. Whoever handled their interiors really nailed it—modern, comfortable, and full of character.

For dinner, we tried the Chicken Parm and Rigatoni alla Vodka, and both dishes were absolute winners. The Chicken Parm was perfectly breaded, juicy, and covered with just the right amount of rich, flavorful sauce. The Rigatoni had this creamy, dreamy vodka sauce that we couldn't get enough of! Each bite was packed with flavor, and you could tell that quality ingredients were at the heart of everything on the menu.

Gigi’s is more than just a restaurant; it’s an experience. Both the chef and designer deserve applause for creating such a memorable place!“

“One of the best Italian restaurants I’ve ever eaten at! The food is all fresh and delicious, and made with artistry and love. Love? Yeah, love. It’s as if the chef/owner, Paul, crafts each entree as if he’s making it for his own family for Sunday dinner. If you order something fried, the batter is light, airy, and crispy like the calamari in this pic. If you order pasta, good luck finding anything fresher. To steal from what another diner wrote on their FB page, this is the kind of Italian restaurant Billy Joel writes songs about. I just wish it was closer so I could eat there more often!“

“Being 100% Italian also the food was amazing! They started us off with real EVOO to dip Our bread in with salt & pepper you can tell the EVOO was straight from Italy. I started with the arancini special which was sausage and saffron sitting in a white creamy sauce that was absolutely delicious. Then it was a toss up on my pasta dish between lobster raviolis and wild mushroom pappardelle I went with the lobster raviolis in a pink sauce. I never finish my food and I ate ever single ravioli. The portion was good enough for me and the proper way to eat a pasta dish so you don’t have left overs or waste. The pink sauce was creamy and delicious (I even dipped my bread in it at the end). Then I went straight for the dessert and ordered affogato (gelato with espresso) wow amazing not too sweet and not too bitter from the espresso perfect blend. Then my friend and I still were not ready to leave so I ordered a espresso martini and again amazing only advice I would give them is shake the martini more to make it foamy And that was my first experience at Gusto’s I give it a 10/10 Oh and the pizza looked really good that will be my next outing.“

“Amazing day @Novara for lunch !“

“The hubby wanted to take me to lunch for my upcoming birthday..for our age and for our wallet we always go to lunch vs dinner...we are now already home with the pups in our jammies..so great...now as a self proclaimed foodie, I have wanted to try the food at Alma Nove at the Hingham Shipyard for many years...I am also a huge Wahlbergers show fan...adored their mom Alma on the show and her pal Phyllis...the show is so much fun..binge it if you haven't seen it..anyway...the weather today didn't look too spectacular for a waterfront restaurant but the blue skies showed themselves as we were eating inside...such a terrific location..the shipyard has been revitalized in the last 15 years or so...lots of shopping and dining destinations including the original Wahlbergers Burger Joint...I love this stuff...Dave is like ok whatever...but our experience was lovely..I will say however that my husband and I don't quite fit in the Hingham vibe...and it has a vibe..no shade but it kind of carries an air about it...the people I mean...lol...but we ignored all that and for sure enjoyed lunch..even Dave said how delicious it all was...our server...nice..we typically enjoy banter with our servers...he wasn't about that...all business and he gave us excellent service..but I do have the sense that more than likely the staff has high hopes of gaining maybe a walk on role on Blood Bloods with Donnie or maybe a handshake from Marky Mark when he comes through from time to time...hope for them it happens..fingers crossed...😉..about the food...great bread..seemed homemade but simple..fresh..served with butter that had black specks on it..turns out it was a black salt..interesting..a few drafts for Dave from Mayflower Brewery in nearby Plymouth and I had a lovely Pinot Noir...bottled water on the table..big fan of that..I ordered the Pan Seared Shrimp and Scallops served over a sweet potato risotto , topped with haricot verts(fancy greenbeans), toasted marcona almonds and truffle honey and my date had the Butternut squash Tortellacci with pan seared chicken topped with sage brown butter sauce, pecorino romano, apple cider gastrique and fried sage and chives..wow..we are styling here in the Shipyard...every bite was spot on and a perfect serving for lunch..we enjoyed all of it..dessert..well.of course..they have an in house pastry chef so that's a given for me..chose the Banana Bourbon Bread Pudding..when he returned he also brought a small chocolate dessert..like cake in a jar with whipped cream and a candle...he said they heard someone was celebrating a bday...we never said it so all I can figure is I posted that we were there for my bday and had tagged the restaurant...great social media connection if that was the case...we shared them and they were fabulous...took some photos around the place..ran into folks the hubby knew from Hull..absolutely highly recommend Alma Nove..those that aren't familiar with the background. ..The famous Wahlberg Brothers Donnie and Mark have a brother Paul who is the chef and owner of Alma Nove..named for their precious mom Alma and Nove in Italian means nine..there were 9 Walhberg kids..5 stars from me for Alma Nove.. Open daily for lunch and dinner. .I believe they have live music on Sundays and in the nice weather their outside patio overlooks Hingham Bay...a must try❤️ Mark has famously said their brother Paul is the most talented in the family...I believe that is spot on...“

“Delicious approach and amazing pizza! Service was spectacular!“

“Amazing! What an experience to find this family-friendly (yes, they have a kids menu thank goodness!), inviting atmosphere, social staff, and delicious food! Everything was incredibly fresh and the staff were beyond welcoming and accommodating. We felt like we were dining with folks we’ve known for years. The bruschetta was fresh along with the pink penne vodka and kids meals. We felt so full but beyond grateful to find BenCotto!“

“The quality and presentation of the food was top notch. We were incredibly impressed by the dining room layout and staff. If you are looking for a place to propose to your significant other… this is NOT the appropriate place. As I mentioned the food was the finest I’ve ever had; however, the music was terrible. We felt like we were in a 1990’s discotheque. The music was loud, very heavy beat and not remotely romantic. We did mention to our waitstaff and they attempted to get it turned down to no avail. No coffee or dessert available either. I understand space is limited; however you have two of the finest dessert businesses well within walking distance. Even if you only carry two desserts. I would still go back there for the food with the hopes of different music…even soft jazz would be acceptable.“

“This place had the best chicken Parmesan we had ever eaten. I’m so glad we stumbled upon this place that was not too far from our hotel. Our waitress was so kind and attentive.“

“Amazing food and good service. I will go back.“

“My husband and I made reservations for Valentine’s Day after a wonderful first visit to this cozy spot! Our wait for food was a bit long, but that is to be expected on a particularly busy night. The food and drinks certainly made up for the wait. We had bruschetta to start, which is of course a staple of any Italian spot; it was delicious. I loved the goat cheese on this rendition. For our entrees we decided to get two different dishes and share. I had the vitello saltimboca, and my husband had the heart shaped ravioli, a Valentine’s special. Both entrees were delicious, filling, and easy to share on our appetizer plates. I also loved the drink special for tonight. I feel specials can be very hit or miss, but Ciao Amici did not disappoint. I highly reccomend this cozy restaurant for its fine food, kind service, and comfortable atmosphere.“

“Wow. This is the kind of place where I’m sitting there thinking, “now this is 5 stars.”

It came to light because at some point we heard that 1) they had won a James Beard award (which is on display right up front), and 2) the Culurgiones (Sardinian stuffed pasta) were to die for.

When we arrived, we immediately appreciated the level of service provided - for example, our coats were taken and hung up. The wine menu is also authentic Italian - I ordered a Nebbiolo rosso.

As a party of two, we split an antipasto, a primo, and a secondo. First was an excellent burrata. Second was the famed Culurgiones (pictured) - so pillowy and tasty. Third was the roast half chicken. This was the best roasted chicken we’d had in quite a while. So juicy and well seasoned.

We finished with the tiramisu (tasty, well-presented, and bigger than we thought) and the cannoli (comes with two).

The atmosphere was lovely and so was our server, Paige.

Looking forward to coming back sometime!“

“We had a fabulous lunch here this past weekend. Best food ever! Thankfully, we also brought home several pastas and sauces. Tonight, we cooked up the jumbo cheese ravioli and tossed them with some of the incredible pesto sauce. It was absolutely delicious! Paired with a simple salad and a glass of wine, I felt like we had brought a bit of the North End home with us. Can’t wait to get back to enjoy another meal and pick up more goodies for our freezer! Thank you for being amazing!!“