The North End is full of tourists and tourist-y places that are not very good. The best Italian food in Boston is outside the North End, and these spots prove it.
Map
Such a good spot in the South End! I love the pastas and drinks here—and it's gorgeous inside.
Gigi
Really great small spot in Cambridge! Their carbonara is amazing.
Amelia's Trattoria
Amazing Italian spot for brunch or dinner. Their pastas are amazing, and you HAVE to try the crispy rice suppli which are basically giant arancini!
Josephine
Really great Italian food, but a bit expensive! They do an $84 per person prix fixe that includes 3 dishes!
Pammy's
They might be called an Italian Steakhouse, but the pastas here are incredible. They also make their own mozzarella here—and they have an amazing brunch. Make sure to try the tiramisu espresso martini!
Prima Italian Steakhouse
Great spot for a date night in the South End and East Boston!
MIDA | Boston
Really great Italian food in the South End.
Coppa Enoteca
Great spot in the South End!
Bar Mezzana
Casual Italian spot in Brookline with great pizzas and pastas. It's SUPER tiny in there though, so get there early!
Club Dante
Southie's best Italian food—and they have live Sinatra on Sundays!
Capo Restaurant & Supper Club
Amazing wood-fired pizzas and seasonal vegetables. Plus, great pasta and drinks!
Prairie Fire
Great wood-fired pizza in Central Square!
Si Cara
Great pizza and—if you couldn't tell by the name—pork products!
The Salty Pig
Great Italian food—it's owned by 2 sisters and the menu is all their family's recipes!
Nebo
Amazing seafood pastas—they have a location in the North End but the Brookline one is just as good and less crazy to get in. It's small in there though, so I recommend going near the time they open!
The Daily Catch Brookline
Thin flatbread-like pizza in Brookline and Watertown! Their apps and salads are also delish.
Bar 'Cino Brookline
Great Italian spot in Cambridge. I love their brunch too!
