Most amazing pizza in Boston and even Italy. We had the fig and prosciutto pizza. WOW!

Very disappointing experience. To be clear, I understand that bringing outside food into a restaurant is generally not permitted, especially when they sell desserts themselves. My issue was not the policy, but how it was handled. We walked in carrying a Mike's Pastry box in plain sight, placed it on the table, and ordered two amaros and a Coke. The waiter greeted us, saw the box, and never mentioned the policy. We then opened it and began sharing a cannoli with our 3 year old son while staff could clearly see us. A few minutes later, a large group walked in. I heard the person who appeared to be the manager or owner comment to the staff that we were "three people for two tables and only two amaros." Shortly afterward, our waiter was instructed to tell us we could not eat the cannoli. Had someone simply told us when we arrived that outside food was not allowed, we would have gladly put it away or gone somewhere else. Instead, nothing was said until after we had ordered and our son had already started eating. The staff later explained that this happens frequently because Mike's is directly across the street. If that is the case, communicating the policy when customers arrive carrying outside food seems like a simple solution. The policy is completely reasonable. The communication and customer service were disappointing. read more

Ugh, we just love this spot! It's authentic, small, and cozy, with such a warm, intimate atmosphere. The service is always friendly and fast, and the pizza is incredible -- light, crunchy, and topped with a sauce that has so much flavor. The prices are very reasonable, too! It's the perfect spot for a date night. Just be sure to make a reservation, as there are only about 10 tables. Highly recommend! read more

Cafe Amaro - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Teeny tiny restaurant but the food was all very good and great portions. Drinks were good too - sarti spritz wasn't too sweet which I prefer. Luckily we didn't have anyone sitting directly next to us; if we did it would've been VERY tight. read more

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Cafe Amaro....No Bene! North End is one of my favorite Boston neighborhoods for Italian food especially Pizza. But this time, not so much! We walked in here on a Sunday afternoon and stopped at Cafe Amaro since they had open tables. The restaurant is very small probably about 10 or so tables. We sat right up against the kitchen which was warm since it was a bit chilly outside. After about 5-8 minutes went by our server came over and we asked to sample 2 glasses of wine. They were not good at all. After tasting one more we finally landed on the Chianti. We then waited longer to place our order which was the Prosciutto and Fig pizza. I also ordered a soda water with lemon which never came. Note: there are 2 servers and I believe 1 speaks English but I am not 100% sure. Once our server finally came over my husband had to remind him of the soda water which he proceeded to say "we only have large bottles." Ok, thanks for letting me know since the other server/busser did not. Does he work here? Does he know the menu? Why wouldn't he tell me this the first place? Our pizza finally came and even after ordering it well done it was still floppy and flimsy to the point when everytime we went to pick up the slice everything fell off...UGH! I don't know how in the North End this place gets by or survives? Maybe they were having an off day? I do see other reviews that had better experiences than ours. Maybe they were short on staff? If that was the case then say something because I probably would've had more patience and understanding if this was the case. BTW, Our server NEVER came over after ordering our wines and pizza. He never asked "how is everything?" NEVER... I also rarely give one/two stars to restaurants but this was despicable and I really hope this is not their norm. All I have to say is there are so many other better restaurants in the North End to go to, but Cafe Amaro is not one of them. read more

Cafe Amaro - Prosciutto and Fig pizza - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I was walking through the North End when I found Cafe Amaro. It's a tiny restaurant filled with about 10 tables. They are extremely close together with tight walking space so just beware of that. I went on a Saturday afternoon around 3pm and there was no wait. However, you are able to make a reservation online. I ordered a margarita pizza for an appetizer which was my favorite part of the meal. The sauce was on the sweeter side and there was a perfect amount of mozzarella cheese. For entrees, we shared the meatballs and the rigatoni bolognese. We weren't the biggest fans of the meat sauce in the bolognese, however it's just personal preference. The service was a little slow because there was one waiter to all 10 tables. He was friendly though and our food was made fast. I highly recommend for a cozy dinner, the margarita pizza is a must order!! read more

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Small hole in the wall we have often overlooked in the North End but some of my favorite food thus far. The meatballs, margarita pizza, and gnocchi were favorites. For a party of four, I'd recommend doing either two pastas and a pizza or vice versa with a couple apps. Would definitely come back and try more of the menu. The service was mostly attentive, and the vibe was cozy Italian. read more

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Stopped by with 2 friends on a weeknight and got a couple rounds of drinks and it was delicious. Our server was so kind and personable. The vibes were super relaxed and chill inside. Would definitely come back and maybe next time would want to try the food here. read more

Cafe Amaro - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

We had a 7:30 reservation. We got there at exactly 7:30. We had booked it for a regular table, not a high top. When we got there, they only had a high top and the server said we could start there, get drinks, and then move to a low table once one opens up. We sat there for 15 minutes, saw a different group of 2 get seated at a regular table. The server never came to get our drink order. Then we saw another table open up, i asked the server, can we sit there? He goes "no, it's no it's for a reservation". ?. We promptly left after that and took our business elsewhere. I don't know why we were treated so disrespectfully. I will never be back here and wouldn't recommend this place to ANYONE! AVOID! read more

Came here for dinner for Valentine's Day and I should imagine it was a very tight. This is my first time here so I'm not sure if the configuration it was supposed to be as tight where they have like two high top tables directly behind other dining tables so some acrobatics were needed to be done by both the white staff and customers to sort just move around. I didn't mind that much since it was actually pretty tight and cozy so it actually brought up the energy I think. We already had reservations, so we received a fairly quickly, and the white stuff were very professional and courteous. The food did not disappoint. The calamari came out fresh and hot. Crispy and the banana peppers gave it just the right heat. The marinara sauce paired well with it. The Lobster Fra Diavolo was done in a cute heart shaped, so that was delightful. Lobster was done perfectly and the slightly spicy sauce of the pasta paired beautifully. My favorite was actually the marsala. The Fusilli was done perfectly al dente and soaked in that delicious sauce that was flavorful and clung so well to the pasta. The chicken breast was well marinated and super tender and juicy. Honestly, I wouldn't hesitate to order this again next time. read more

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Delicious, delicious, delicious! We made a reservation for a party of 6 for my best friend's birthday and we had an absolute blast! We ordered 2 bottles of moscato throughout the meal which was super light and fruity. I ended up splitting the burrata pizza and the rigatoni bolognese which were both delicious! I was very impressed by the brick oven pizza. Both dishes were perfect together and were very tasty. I'd recommend both. The service was amazing! Truly the best service I could ask for. Both waiters were super attentive and constantly came in to check on us, refill our drinks, etc. The waiters made my friend feel very special on her birthday! Thank you so much Cafe Amaro!! read more

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Cafe Amaro will continue to be our cozy nook in the North End that we can't help but stumble into on a chilly day. On both occasions, we were tempted to snack on the antipasto and taste some wine. In our most recent visit, we invited the whole family for a wider variety of appetizers and brick oven bites. Our favorite recommendation was the pistachio martini which indulged us into the spirit of the holidays. Whether you're looking for a quick drink, or a lengthier lunch lounge spot, cafe Amaro has an inviting warmth for whatever you're craving. read more

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Service was very slow and we weren't seated until 20 minutes after our reservation, despite arriving early. A group that arrived 15 minutes late for their reservation was seated before us. The seating is extremely limited, and we felt rushed to leave so the table could be freed for the next hangry, claustrophobic group (same). Overall, very uncomfortable and not a pleasant experience. We ordered the burrata pizza which was dry and lacking toppings. However, the fusilli alla vodka pasta made up for the food, we wished we had ordered more pasta. Sadly do not think I would return largely due to the lack of seating/room in the establishment. read more

Such a good wine list and a better espresso martini than a lot of other restaurants in the area. Good vibe and fresh ingredients read more

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Café Amaro was the first place we dined upon visiting Boston. It is a small café located in the North End. The seating which opens up into the street was inviting a bit like being in Italy! I cannot say enough about the pistachio cocktail I ordered. It was delicious. We also ordered the margarita pizza, which unfortunately did not meet my anticipated, expectations,. The server was attentive and accommodating. read more

Cafe Amaro - Pistachio martini - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Cute decor. The pizza crust was very good, but the fillings were disappointing. Red sauce had no seasonings and the margarita pizza had little basil. Rigatoni was a bit underdone. read more

Cafe Amaro - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Our pasta courses were impressively tasty, but service was slow, pizza was underwhelming, and our 3 adults' main courses were served before our 2 kids' pizzas which we requested to be served at the time of our appetizers. Our party of 5 was automatically assessed a 20% gratuity, and paying the check via the provided QR code resulted in another 20% gratuity being added. Not a bad meal, but the overall experience was below expectations. read more

One of the more Italian Italian restaurants in the little Italy part of town. Most of the "Italian" spots in this part of town are very much "Italian American" and not so much Italian. Lots of long lines to sit in luxe furnishings and eat chicken parm. Not this one! I've only been to Italy once but, this place felt WAY more authentic. Any Italian menu that features rapini ("broccoli rabe") has very high changes of being legit, OG Italian. The folks working here also had thick Italian accents. The space was really small, really cozy, and had no line. Can't got wrong with a Neapolitan-style pie and a bottle of Peroni (which is exactly what I had). If you still want to do the uber-tourist though, the most famous bakery in Boston is right across the street! read more

Great food and atmosphere! We had the caprese salad and linguine, which was fresh and flavorful. Highly recommend! read more

Cafe Amaro - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I had plenty of time to kill between buses so I wound up here & this place did well. I did a margarita pizza with sausage on it & it's good but it seemed when I tried to keep it it seemed to fall apart in the middle area but it was still delicious. Atmosphere was with Motown music & few other things. Service was good deeming it was an open space & little breeze from outside came in but sometimes it's an asset. read more

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Update: I'm now probably pushing 20 visits to Cafe Amaro and it is my new official North End go to. Went last night and everything was amazing as usual, AND they had a nice Sinatra mix playing. Can't wait to go back! read more

Cafe Amaro - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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The place is small, but cozy. Staff are very friendly. Food came out quickly. My Marsala was really good, loved the healthy portion of mushrooms. Teeny tiny complaint: not enough bread provided with the burrata, but they brought more out quickly when I asked. Would definitely go again. read more

Cafe Amaro - Marsala - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Came for dinner. It's a really small place so make sure to make a reservation. They have by far the best marsala I've ever had. It was so good. I would absolutely come back. The service was fantastic. read more

Cafe Amaro - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Devine! Firstly, the place only fits about 15 people, so be sure to call or go online for a reservation! Without knowing how small it would be, I booked a reservation and was happy when we arrived and could be seated immediately! I went with my mom and her two friends, and everyone was blown away by how tasty the food was! We ordered the meatballs as a starter. Three giant, tender meatballs came with the order! So fresh and flavorful. Then, my mom and I split the bolognese and the burrata pizza (which we added prosciutto to): this was one of the best meals we had in Boston. The meat sauce in the bolognese and giant pieces of meat and they were so flavorful! The pizza was delicious! I'm not from the northeast and I normally eat thick crust, but this may have turned me into a thinner crust person! You could take the brick oven freshness! read more

Cafe Amaro - BURRATA Oregano, fresh burrata, Calabrian chili oil ADDED PROSCIUTTO - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Great food and cozy little spot! We got the gnocchi, chicken parm, and vodka pasta. All delicious!

Amazing vibes and a cozy space that feels straight out of Italy, with open front windows overlooking Hanover Street. They have an authentic and impressive selection of amaro, making it a must-visit for anyone looking for a true Italian experience when in the north end! read more

Awful experience. I live in the area and have had this place on my list for a while. When we arrived, we had selected high-top tables, as the reservation form prompted you to choose between standard or high-top seating. The hostess told us you actually can't choose your table type. We ended up waiting a little longer for a high-top instead of being crammed into the standard seating. Once seated, my sister and I decided to order a few appetizers for dinner. I mentioned to our waiter that we'd like them spaced out when they arrive, since three apps would never fit on the tiny table. He said, "Of course, will do." Naturally, they all came out at once and didn't fit on the table. It made for a stressful dining experience, and we had to consolidate plates ourselves since our waiter never checked in -- not until it was time for the check. Don't go here unless you're just coming for drinks. The food was very average for this neighborhood, and the service was dreadful. read more

Incredible little place!!! Barely 12 small tables. Burrata appetizer, calamari were spot on. Do NOT leave without sampling their arrabbiata pasta (with sausage.). Lobster and crab ravioli were decadent. Thank you Luis (and team) for taking such good care of us. read more

Cafe Amaro - Crab and lobster ravioli - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Cute and quaint restaurant with delicious food and great service. We got the lobster fra diavolo and chicken marsala, and both did not disappoint. Pasta was cooked to perfection read more

Cafe Amaro - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Café Amaro was such a treat. The wood-fired pizza is the perfect combination of a crunchy yet chewy crust, delicious marinara sauce, and simple but tasty toppings. Make a reservation and don't miss out on this cozy neighborhood gem! read more

Sause on the rigatoni tasted like regular spagetti sause and hamburger, rather than "slowly brazed beef with tomatoes " . Olive oil served with the al a carte bread had red pepper and some tastless green leaves in it. Was not worth the price. Ambiance was marginal at best. read more

Hidden gem in the North End, with a location that can't be beat (right across the street from Mike's Pastry). We ordered 2 Caesar salads and 3 pizzas. The Margherita pizza was our fave. The crust was amazing on the pizzas! Service was good too. Small place but when we came in a little after noon (shortly after it opened), we were the first ones in there. Seemed to be enough to fit others who came in shortly after. Big windows in the front with a view of the North End. Highly recommend! read more

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I saw this restaurant on Instagram - and the fusilli alla vodka is what intrigued me. First thoughts when I walked in, I thought it looked almost identical in size and style to Parla, another restaurant I recently tried, down to the red curtain obscuring the entrance. We tried the caesar salad, chicken parm, fusilli alla vodka, and margherita pizza. The pizza was very good, I think the best dish we tried. I liked the interesting noodles in the vodka pasta, but the flavor was not there for me. The color was creamier than the Instagram reel looked, so perhaps they added too much cream? It just was not that good. Chicken parm was good, not memorable. Service was not great considering we were some of the only patrons dining on a Tuesday evening. I arrived a bit later, and the rest of my party had already ordered drinks and appetizers, and it took over 10 minutes for the server to take my drink order. Verdict - there are better Italian places in the north end! read more

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Best pistachio martini, delicious food and excellent service. Great window seat to people watch.

Came here for dinner close to the 4th of July holiday. I would recommend making reservations ahead of time if possible since the restaurant is super tiny! It can seat maybe 15 or 20 people max. Because of the size of the place, basically everywhere is like al fresco dining. I got the chicken parm (my second time trying it here!) and it was good. The chicken cutlet was very crispy and the sauce was very flavorful and a little on the sweeter side. The portion was large which I appreciated and I could half of it home. Great spot to try in the North End! read more

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Food quality was as expected, even a good value for the North End. Service was a bit over attentive, making me feel like we were being hurried along. I don't appreciate having plates snatched away the second they are cleared of food. So overall the experience had "metered" vibe. read more

Everything we got was amazing! The ceasar salad, fusilli with vodka sauce and the rigatoni with beef! Bryan our waiter was super helpful and kind. ENJOY! read more

Cafe Amaro - Rigatoni with Beef - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Good ambiance, friendly server. Espresso martini kicking my ass 10/10 will come back.

We went here for lunch and were the only customers in the restaurant. Our waiter was friendly and our food arrived quickly. The front room is small but with a nice view of the street. We started with the arancini, mozzarella, and croquette antipasto. They were good, but a little on the bland side. Fortunately, things improved with the pizza. We had the fig and prosciutto pizza which was very good. read more

Cafe Amaro - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Delicious food, amazing service. LOVED the vibe. I will definitely be back! Very small but honestly wasn't bad read more

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