One of my local favorites! You can never go wrong here. The portions are huge and the food is delicious. I've eaten here before (it's a small area, but does have a lot of seating) but normally I get it as take out. The cafe itself is super casual, it's the perfect place to pop into during lunch or after a walk. My food is always ready on time which is nice, and when I've eaten there I'm usually able to find a seat. The spinach tortellini with the pesto cream sauce is my absolute favorite- it's a HUGE portion and so delicious. It usually lasts me at least 2 meals. The bread they include is also great! I like to dip it in the sauce. The past time I got Dino's I accidentally ordered spinach ravioli instead of tortellini...that was my bad. HOWEVER I think I might have found my new favorite? The raviolis are huge and so fat. I'm talking like 1/2 inch - 3/4 inch thick. There is so much stuffing and the spinach ricotta mix tastes so fresh and delicious...it's a must try. I've also gotten the eggplant parm before, and the fettuccini Alfredo. Both were also delicious. I've never had any of the sandwiches, but if they are anything like their pastas then I'm sure they are great! The bang for your buck here is also great which is nice. Highly recommend! Dinos is awesome! And the staff is very kind too (Note that the pic is taken from a train, I like to treat myself to Dino's before catching the Amtrak) read more

Dino's Cafe - Spinach Ravioli in pesto cream sauce - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Cannot recall the last time I saw something for the single digits on the menu anywhere in Boston, much less in the north end! Also, and most importantly, the food was great. Baked gnocchi is a must-have. The fresh basil on top of everything was a nice flavorful touch. Generous cheese, generous portions, and quick and personable service. The pumpkin with cheese cream sauce pasta is also phenomenal. The garlic bread with cheese also was enough to have multiple slices each for a party of 4! read more

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I don't live in Boston, but whenever I go there, I have to go to Dino's. It's my favorite place in Boston and the North End, and my favorite sub place ever. I always get the Eggplant Parmesan Hot Sub, and it never fails. I always recommend this place to people visiting Boston. The space is super small. There are like 5 tables (if that) inside, but if the weather is warm, they have some tables outside. The place is clearly run by the family, and the service shows it in the way they care and help their customers. You can never go wrong with Dino's. read more

Dino's Cafe - Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Well, steak Bellino with cheese... excellent as always. Pasta dishes as the bake chicken fettuccine very good . All good here as always. Great owners read more

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I ordered take out, not expecting large portions but man was I wrong. I got well over several serving sizes of gnocchi along with bread. It was delicious and the gnocchi is pillowy. I would highly recommend! The worker was very kind and the food was ready quick :) read more

Dino's Cafe - Gnocchi with marinara sauce - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Fresh simplistic Italian food. The old school Italian guys were awesome to witness. The baked ziti was somehow light and so fresh. My husband's chicken Alfredo was to die for. I think I may have offended the guys that I couldn't eat more of my food. There was just so much to try and I really wasn't even hungry going in but wouldn't pass it up. read more

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Came here on a Saturday evening and it was busy! Luckily we got a table but after we arrived, there were definitely people waiting outside for seating. We sat down and ordered quickly, and the service was FAST and friendly. They recognized our friends as regulars which was nice! Drinks are self serve so you can walk up to the fridges and take what you want - they will add the drinks to the bill at the end. Italian's Italian ($18) - the sandwiches here are HUGE. And there were reviews saying they were skinny but ours was both long and fat. The meats and veggies went perfectly together with oil and just the right amount of fat and heat. I'd absolutely get this sandwich or any of their other sandwiches again - it was so filling and delicious! Capellini Pomodoro ($19.95) - I wasn't as big of a fan of this one - the pasta was pretty normal and the sauce did have some nice herbs in it, but it felt a bit one dimensional to me. It's probably a lot better with a meatball or another topping, but $19.95 for pasta and red sauce was already a pretty steep price. I'd recommend getting another sandwich if you're a two person party because those are really worth it. There's also no bathroom in the restaurant, but the sandwiches are such a great deal I'd absolutely recommend coming here or getting a sandwich to go! read more

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16 inch sandwich for $16. great stuff. super chill place to pop in and right across from bovas too which was great. felt like a local read more

Dino's Cafe - The Lady Special Cold Sandwich - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Wow at the size of these sandwiches! We believe they're known for the Steak Bellino so had to try that. Perfectly cooked with perfectly melted cheese. The chicken pesto also had perfectly melted cheese and lots of pesto. Incredibly long grinders, not the widest but still solid bang for your buck! Maybe 12-15 or so seats to sit inside but we mostly do takeout here. A classic North End that I hope never goes out of business! read more

Dino's Cafe - Steak Bellino with Cheese Hot Sandwich - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Meatball subs were delicious! I ate half for a meal and saved the other. I like that they use the smaller meatballs instead of the giant ones because each bite's sauce/meat/bread ratio was perfect. The garlic bread was decent and the caesar salad was pretty basic (just lettuce and like five croutons). read more

Dino's Cafe - Meatball sub (Caesar salad and garlic bread in the back) - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the lines and crowds in Boston's north end, Dino's can come in clutch as a more relaxed (but just as satisfying) option. The staff are friendly and quick. Walking in we were welcomed to choose any open table, handed menus, and told to head up to the counter whenever we were ready to order. This was great! No waiting on a server, just order at your own pace. I walked up and ordered myself the Fettuccini and Sausage special, a cafe salad with added grilled chicken to share, and an Eggplant Parm over ziti for my girlfriend. Ordered our drinks which I got immediately, and sat back down. Food came out in about ten or fifteen minutes and everything tasted great. The salad was exactly what we were looking for, with thick round cuts of mozzarella over well oiled and seasoned lettuce. The added chicken for $2 was delicious, grilled to perfection. I hadn't had a cream sauce pasta in a long time and this was damn near perfect - delicious sausage, mushrooms, and peppers tucked into perfectly chewable pasta. Overall this place is fantastic. You're right in the thick of the North End chaos, watching the Bova's line across the street grow longer and longer as you enjoy your meal. The prices are some of the best you will find in the city, let alone this busy neighborhood. read more

Dino's Cafe - Cafe Salad with Grilled Chicken - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Dino's Cafe is a hidden gem you need to seek out amidst the sea of Italian restaurants in Boston. This little spot offers an experience that goes far beyond just good food. It delivers a true taste of authentic Italian hospitality. The menu here is simple but perfect. The pastas and sandwiches are authentically prepared, fresh, and bursting with flavor. What makes this place even more incredible is the very reasonable pricing. You are getting genuine Italian food without breaking the bank. The heart of Dino's is its staff, especially the owner. He is incredibly polite, funny, and genuinely makes you feel comfortable, as if you have walked into his own home kitchen. The hospitality is warm, welcoming, and memorable. The other staff members are equally welcoming and attentive, ensuring every guest feels valued. We visited on a very busy weekend evening, yet the premises were kept neat and clean. Dino's is small. There are only about 6 or 7 tables inside, so if you visit during peak dinner or lunch hours, you should anticipate a wait time. Don't miss this place. read more

Awesome food and service at reasonable prices - and yes the subs are huge and beyond delicious. We've been back a few times for different ones each time all were great. The manager Lee knows everyone (could tell it's the type of place that's loved by local regulars in addition to tourists lucky enough to hear about it!) read more

I visited Dino's roughly a week ago. I waited for time to pass to ponder how I felt about my experience at Dino's. It was 90+ degrees, and we had walked there from Quincy Market. We were hot when we arrived and their AC is terrible. Their AC unit looked like a home heat pump unit, but in this case, for the restaurant. It's a small place with a counter for takeout and a handful of tables. One of the two tables left available, had one of those big box fans sitting behind it. It didn't really help much, but better than nothing. We asked for some water, they told us we could only buy bottles out of the fridge. This struck me as really wrong, considering the heat that day, and the fact that the entrees were not $ 5.00, mine was near $25, and my dining partners near $20. This place serves dishes like a regular sit-down restaurant, but can't even provide a glass of water. In the end, I folded and grabbed a bottle, as who can eat piping hot, thick sauces without cold water standing by? This water thing was more of a principle issue with me, than a cost issue, as the water was priced pretty cheap, but not providing tap water, just didn't feel right to me. I had no complaints about my baked fettuccini or my partner's vegetable primavera as far as taste goes, but they could do a little bit better on the amount of pasta in their dishes. The sauce on my baked fettuccini was thick, rich, and tasty, certainly more pasta could have made the thin metal plate more filling. I probably would have liked more of their dishes, had I been able to try them, but between the hot environment and the bad taste left by the water situation, we got out of there quick. read more

Visited from another state and the daughter wanted Italian food. This place didn't disappoint. Delicious garlic bread and pastas were all good. Friendly service also. Worth the trip if you want authentic Italian food! read more

Dino's is a complete gem. I have gotten their cheese steak, chicken cutlet parm, and meatball subs. Each is delicious and an excellent representation of the classic flavor profile. They are a good size and many people with a typical appetite could split a sub for lunch and be satisfied. One sub is basically two eight-inch subs. Their bread is a differentiator. When you eat it in the restaurant, it has a nice crust with a crispy exterior that feels like it could be shattered with a spoon. The interior has just the right amount of chew to make it feel toothsome and substantial while maintaining a texture that could still be described as light. One of the most interesting aspects of the bread is that it holds up well over time. You lose the crusty exterior but it holds up well. This leads me to my next point: picnics! There is an embarrassment of riches within ~50 feet of this place when it comes to grabbing a bite to eat and take with you to any green or blue space within a 30 minute walk (wharf, harbor walk, greenway, the commons, esplanade, etc.) The bread holds up well to transportation. The folks who work at Dino's care about the job that they do and produce a great product and customer experience whether eating in, taking out, or delivery. I'll have to force myself to try some of their pastas and seafood in the future, but my cravings so far have been too focused on their subs. read more

Late post - visited in October 2024. Located in Little Italy. You can smell the food as soon as you walk up to the corner. We came during lunch hours. It was busy, but we were able to find a table. My husband and I shared one sandwich. It was enough to fill us up. We ordered the chicken cutlet parm sandwich. Wow!!! It a burst of flavors. The chicken was moist and cooked to perfection. My only regret was not ordering another sandwich to take home for dinner. We were in the New England area for 5 days and I could NOT stop thinking about this place. read more

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Great local Italian restaurant serving delicious subs and pasta. Owner is usually behind the counter. More affordable than other places, portions are large, and quality is good. The dining area is small so may need to wait for a table during busy hours. Can also call ahead for takeout read more

We were in Boston for a few hours and our tour guide suggested we go to the North End. We walked the entire block & Dino's immediately stood out to us at the corner. My family and I shared an eggplant parm wedge & a chicken cutlet parm wedge. The owner was so welcoming & friendly. He cut the wedges for us to make it easy to share. What a nice establishment he has inside! Beautifully handwritten menu on the wall. He is eager to please! He does an incredible job and you should definitely pay him a visit. read more

Dino's Cafe - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I used to love the food here. Came in from another neighborhood to get it. Walked in yesterday with my wife and son and was kicked out because my 7 year old had a slice of pizza from Ernesto's. WTF? Are you people even Italian?? You don't even sell pizza! A little kid can't even have a slice in the North End while his parents eat a sandwich. Don't go here. Bricco is top notch sandwiches anyway. Kind. Polite. Good people. Steer clear of these jokers. read more

This is a small corner Place, no restrooms and only 6 tables. The tomato sauce in my chicken cacciatore was delicious, just like Nonna makes However the pasta was al dente and it was served on a flat plate instead of a bowl, therefore there was little of the delicious juices. Chicken needed to be bite size. .Too many mushrooms, pepper slices too big. Not a good wine selection basically $9.00 for a small glass of Chanti. Didn't get a check " just bring up your credit card" . Service is by a cashier. Ambiance is lacking. Food is good but there are plenty of better restaurants in the North End. Disappointed . No tap water available have to buy bottled Poland Springs or soda. No coffee. , read more

Dino's Cafe - Chicken Cacciatore - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Brooooooo the chicken parm sub is so fantastic. The most delicious sandwich and it's HUGE, well over a foot long, maybe a foot and a half. Service is speedy as well, and the people there are nice. read more

Terrific little spot on a corner in the North end. We had a meatball sub with a Caesar salad. Really delicious! I wouldn't change a thing. And there were real anchovies on the salad! Tasty. read more

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Do not agree with all the high ratings. Food was ok, nothing that stands out. We ordered gnocchi with marinara, chicken Alfredo, lobster ravioli and baked ziti with meatballs. Also ordered a small garden salad with "Italian dressing". The gentleman taking our order said they had Italian dressing, oil and vinegar, etc. I chose the Italian dressing and got oil and balsamic vinegar. Was a very bland/plain salad. Fresh baguette we got with the meal was ok. No table service / very small place with about 7 tables. You order at the counter and pay there when you are done. Pricey also for what you get. Will not return - too many other Italian places in North End to try next time. read more

Stuck in town last night due to a mishap on the Orange Line, and found myself hungry in the North End. Saw Dino's and thought I'd give it a shot. Did not regret it! Gentleman behind the counter was extremely nice and didn't hurry me to make a choice. Got the pizzaiola sandwich and it was fantastic. Will be back! read more

Dino's Cafe - Pizzaiola Sub - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Life is short. F...it up! Family, Flavor, Friends The North end has plenty to offer the foodies out there. I finally try to get try this well I now place. Having watched reviews and videos I was looking forward to this. Got the chicken Parm since it was most reviewed. The bread was what made this a good sub,. Light crispy on the outside soft and chewy on the inside. The sauce and chix was as expected. Would recommend getting it toasted if you are not eating it right away. Next next will be the steak sub. read more

Dino's Cafe - Grilled Chicken Parmesan Hot Sandwich - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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If you're looking for good Italian food in the north end but you don't want to dress up and are looking for something casual this is the place! I had the spinach ravioli in a pesto cream and it was so good and a good price for what you get. My boyfriend got one of their sandwiches and said it was delicious. To top it off the staff was also so friendly. Will definitely be coming back. read more

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Dinos vs Bennetts for the best steak n cheese sub in Boston. Both use great steak , fresh rolls and are both delicious! About the same price 16 bucks but Dino's eats like 2 subs! Check them out see who you think are the best! Let me know thx read more

Dino's is the best. Great service and food! The Italian sandwich is fantastic! I highly recommend! read more

Overpriced for the quality. Better off cooking at home with the boxed pasta. Not much variety of wine. No Apple Pay available and not much seating available. And if you are expecting table service, don't come here read more

They don't offer table service; it's mainly a takeout spot with just a few tables around. I don't think I'll be going back ever.

The most underrated retaurant in the north end perhaps because of its image as a sub shop and it is so much more. Not to say it doesn't have the best sandwiches in town just think when waitstaff from other restaurants in the area want a change for lunch or whatever they order sandwiches from here. They also make salads and pasta dishes that are deliciously prepared and an amazing value to boot. Go find out what I mean and let me know what you thought. read more

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The owner is super nice and the place is very small with limited seats. Its a family run business and that shows in the decor. We came initially with a food tour and had the pumpkin gnocchi which his very different, the kids didn't like it and the owner make us a couple raviolis. We came back in a couple days and ordered the ravioli with tomato sauce, frutti di mare, a 16" Italian sandwich and cheese bread. The ravioli plate is 5 large ravioli stuffed with cheese and cooked perfectly. Pairs well with the home made sauce. The Italian sandwich is really good. With enough meat and veggies to fill a hungry person. It has a lot of olive oil and vinegar, and is topped with hot pickles. There was a bit too much pickles that overshadowed the meat, but I liked it. The fruti di mare was large, lots of clams and mussels. Tasted good, and the sauce went down well with the cheese bread. read more

Dino's Cafe - Inside - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Ordered chicken cutlet parm. The description on the menu says pan fried with sauce and mozzarella The photo from "owner" shows cheese. This is what mine looked like. read more

Dino's Cafe - Supposed to be chicken parm. - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Got the lobster pasta and Italian sandwich with my husband. It was delicious and service was great.

Popped in here for a quick lunch and also an escape from the madding crowds of history tourists who flock to the area. Super glad we did! I got the Steak Pizzioli sandwich, and BAM. A sandwich as long as my arm gets thrust at me, loaded with chopped steak, sauce, and cheesy goodness, served on a loaf of the yummiest bread I could ask for. Super delicious! Our party also got servings of lobster ravioli and regular spaghetti, and both were excellent, Will definitely return! read more

I can't recommend this place enough. Great service, the photos don't do it justice. The food was amazing! Great ambiance as well. North end has some great gems read more

Dino's Cafe - Spaghetti and meatballs. The pictures don't do it justice. The food was amazing, the service was fast. Can't recommend this enough - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Great place and solid food, if you are looking to get away from the crowds at the nearby larger Italian spots. The place is pretty small, but a good atmosphere! read more

Dino's Cafe - Baked Fettuccine - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

This place is good for subs but the pasta dishes were a bit disappointing. The Pasta Alfredo was bland and could only taste the cream. The gnocchi was overcooked & doughy. The staff is friendly and service is good. read more

We learned about Dino's while on a food tour (although did not eat here on the tour). Our guide told us Dino's had the best chicken parm sub in Boston and dang, it was delicious! This was our last stop before heading to the airport and was arguably the best food of our 4 day trip. We sat inside the cozy restaurant, had great service and incredible food. Don't skip Dino's!! read more

Dino's Cafe - Meatball sub - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts