North End Dining
What’s the number one question at then end of our Freedom Trail Tour? “Where ‘s the best place to eat?” In Charlestown, closest to the end of our tour at the USS Constitution, there are a handful of restaurants that I point out as we walk through the neighborhood… Sorelle, Blackmoor Bar & Kitchen, Tatte and the Warren Tavern.
For those who want to return to the North End after walking through the neighborhood and seeing so many tempting places to eat, here’s a short list of some popular restaurants. And at the bottom of the page, a couple places for a sweet treat and my personal favorite Italian sandwich from a very authentic deli. Please note, I have no affiliation with any of the restaurants… so have fun checking them out! In alpha order…
Bencotto $$ (Italian, Seafood, Pizza)
361 Hanover Street
Giacomo’s $$ (Italian with emphasis on seafood)
355 Hanover Street
(617) 523-9026
Limoncello Ristorante $$$ (Italian)
190 North Street
(617)523-4480
Locale $$ (Pizza)
352 Hanover Street
(617) 742-9600
Mamma Maria $$$ (Italian)
3 North Square
(627) 523-0077
Neptune Oyster $$$ (Seafood)
63 Salem Street
(617)742-3474
Rina’s Pizzeria $ (Pizza)
371 North Street
(617) 456-5700
The Daily Catch $$$ (Seafood)
323 Hanover Street
(617) 523-8567
Trattoria Il Panino $$ (Italian)
11 Parmenter Street
(617) 720-1336
Mark’s personal favorite for a grab and go sandwich:
Salumeria Italiana (Italian market and sandwiches)
Note: no seating
Richmond Street between Hanover & North Streets
(Favorite sandwich? “The Original”)
The Best Pastries? You Decide!
Mike’s Pastry is the best known Italian pastry shop in the North End. They sell the most and are considered by many to make the best cannolis in town. Modern is their closest competitor. Who’s the best? Try them both and decide for yourself!
300 Hanover Street
257 Hanover Street
Wait! Lobster!
Most restaurants in the North End are Italian. There is seafood of course, but if you wanted a whole lobster or a lobster roll, you may want to venture out of the North End. Here are my favorites!
Yankee Lobster and James Hook: Both are great for lobster and for a roll. Both are very casual and probably have the best prices. (That will not mean inexpensive, but less that the full service restaurants.)
Red’s Best: Located in the Boston Public Market (very close to the Union Oyster House and the former location of the Massachusetts Spy newspaper. Great for a lobster roll, plus if some in your party want a different treat, the Boston Public Market has all sorts of great artisan-quality meats, cheeses, seafood and sweets.
Row 34: This is a great place — but they only have lobster rolls… but they are great lobster rolls and it’s a great place for other seafood, notably oysters on the half shell and delicious local draft beer. Sort of casual, but a great dining experience.
Want to get fancy? Try Legal Sea Foods or Atlantic Fish: Legal is a chain, but their quality is without equal. My favorite location is Legal Harborside right on Boston Harbor in the Seaport District, but any of them will have great food. Atlantic Fish is the highest rated seafood on Google Reviews… they’re pretty darned good and both are perfect for a special dinner or lunch.