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This is a great spot for really authentic pizza and calzones. The best spinach calzone I have ever had! Friendly people that make you feel like family. A no frills establishment with old time vibes. Be sure to bring cash as they are cash only.
While on a food tour of the North End, it was fun to go to the different Italian eateries, it brought back so much nostalgia for me. I grew up in what used to be a predominately Italian area and used to frequent all the Italian shops and delis/bakeries, so I've had my share of authentic Italian food. One of the stops our guide brought us into was Galleria Umberto to try in his opinion, the best Sicilian style pizza. Since pizza is my favorite food, I was super excited! Galleria Umberto has an unassuming store front. It just says "Rosticceria" (aka Italian fast food / deli shop). The inside of the shop as well as the menu is no frills: 5 menu items and 4 types of calzones, as well as beer, wine and soda. We stopped in at about 1:00 pm and the line wasn't too long. Service is efficient, no hello, no small chat, just "next!" They take your order, take your money and give you your food and you go on your way. True definition of fast food. Pizzas are only cheese, come out on a large baking sheet and cut into squares. I only tried the pizzas here so I don't know if the other items are any good, but the pizzas were average. Crust was average, taste was average. For $2.25 I can't complain, but it's not something I would wait in line for.
Italian pizza just like in (Southern) Italy! Simple ingredients - just pizza dough and tomato sauce (no garlic, meats, bell peppers or, god forbid, pineapple!) The arancini are the biggest and most crunchy I've ever seen here in U.S. I could finish only half. There is just enough stuffed meat inside to make it savory Umberto is a 'gallery' of food art!
The greatest hole in the wall (literally opens by a garage door that is easily missed) in the North End! Very limited menu, cash only, lunch hours only, but a must stop! The cheapest lunch you can find in the neighborhood haha. Plenty of seats inside for sitting down! Love supporting locals like this who work hard for their community. Our first time having Panzarotti and we were amazed - so good!! No gluten free, vegan, dairy free options.
Delicious pizza, Great service, Feels like a friends kitchen/house. It seems like this place is always busy with locals. The time we went, I feel like my group were the only "tourists". I'm glad I looked at Yelp before I arrived to be sure I understood what to expect when i arrived. The lines are typically right at the door if not out of the door. Really casual dining area - first come first serve. Tables and chairs that can be moved and shifted to accommodate larger or smaller groups. The slices are delicious and a decent size. I was definitely not hungry after eating it. The ariancini is amazing. HOT AS HELL temperature wise, but sooo crispy and delicious. I definitely want to return again. Eat Local - it's delicious.
I had the Sicilian pizza and Arancini and they were great. They only accept cash and are open only for lunch.
It's like walking into history and it still feels like the first time every time. Simple pan pizza, great cheese melt, perfect ratio of tomato to cheese, with a fun throw-back vibe, all for $2 and change? Can't beat it. The pizzette is also nice, and lighter than you'd think. Different texture altogether and worth a look. Service is like a well oiled machine that would make even Enzo Ferrari jealous.
Super fresh Sicilian pizza constantly coming out from the oven! It's super popular for a quick and cheap bite! You can't find this deal anywhere else and it's small enough and cheap enough to add to your Boston food crawl through little Italy! The pizza itself wasn't anything special but you could really taste all the ingredients and how fresh the house made pizza sauce was! I prefer a more cheesy pizza but I really can't complain at this price!
Best old school pizza in Boston Cash only Closes when they sell out Institution Go before 1230p
So glad I found this place on Yelp. It's very hidden and low key, but seems like a local spot. It's cash only and a no frills place. Their prices were very affordable. My friend and I ordered the arancini to share and this thing was massive and delicious. Definitely recommend making a stop here if you can!
Classic spot in the North End! Serving up cheap prices and quick service that you can't beat. Such an OG classic spot. Their pizza is delicious, served hot and super fast too. We came around noon and we had no problem finding a seat. There's plenty of seating inside which is a plus (from the outside it can be deceiving! It doesn't look it, but there's a lot of space inside). We ordered 2 slices of cheese, 2 arancini's, the ham and cheese calzone, and 2 cokes. The arancini's were stuffed with peas and were the size of a tennis ball. So big! We felt that the flavors lacked and the ingredients tasted a tad dry. The calzone was absolutely packed with ham and cheese. One of those is definitely enough to share with someone else, and just know its pretty dense.
2 years I've been trying to get a slice of pizza from the well known Galleria Umberto. The line is either too long, they're closed, or I don't have any cash on me. But that all changed this past Saturday when I finally had the chance to experience one of Boston's greatest food gems. The cheese pizza is hands down, without a doubt, the best slice in Boston. The only thing comparable is the slice of pizza I had in Naples, Italy. The dough is soft, pillowy, and chewy. The tomato sauce tastes fresh, the cheese has a fantastic pull. There's nothing else like it in Boston. Plenty of chairs and tables inside the restaurant as well, but good luck trying to get one in the height of tourist season. I've heard the arancini is fantastic. Hopefully I don't have to wait another two years to try it.
Came in Friday for lunch and the line is out the door. We got in line while keeping an eye out for open seats. Line moves quickly and they keep bringing out sheets of fresh pizza. This place is cash only! Note: they will be closed 6/28-7/26/26 read more
Walking into this location, I felt like I was in Italy. Old vintage photos on the walls along with the old style feel of a pizzeria. Although not my favorite or style the pizza we could've done without. The overall star of the show and almost at every table was the arancini! Make sure to bring cash and one great thing is the prices are very fair! Service was great, and despite the long line, it moves very rapid. read more
4 months ago
This is a great spot for really authentic pizza and calzones. The best spinach calzone I have ever had! Friendly people that make you feel like family. A no frills establishment with old time vibes. Be sure to bring cash as they are cash only. read more
While on a food tour of the North End, it was fun to go to the different Italian eateries, it brought back so much nostalgia for me. I grew up in what used to be a predominately Italian area and used to frequent all the Italian shops and delis/bakeries, so I've had my share of authentic Italian food. One of the stops our guide brought us into was Galleria Umberto to try in his opinion, the best Sicilian style pizza. Since pizza is my favorite food, I was super excited! Galleria Umberto has an unassuming store front. It just says "Rosticceria" (aka Italian fast food / deli shop). The inside of the shop as well as the menu is no frills: 5 menu items and 4 types of calzones, as well as beer, wine and soda. We stopped in at about 1:00 pm and the line wasn't too long. Service is efficient, no hello, no small chat, just "next!" They take your order, take your money and give you your food and you go on your way. True definition of fast food. Pizzas are only cheese, come out on a large baking sheet and cut into squares. I only tried the pizzas here so I don't know if the other items are any good, but the pizzas were average. Crust was average, taste was average. For $2.25 I can't complain, but it's not something I would wait in line for. read more
Italian pizza just like in (Southern) Italy! Simple ingredients - just pizza dough and tomato sauce (no garlic, meats, bell peppers or, god forbid, pineapple!) The arancini are the biggest and most crunchy I've ever seen here in U.S. I could finish only half. There is just enough stuffed meat inside to make it savory Umberto is a 'gallery' of food art! read more
The greatest hole in the wall (literally opens by a garage door that is easily missed) in the North End! Very limited menu, cash only, lunch hours only, but a must stop! The cheapest lunch you can find in the neighborhood haha. Plenty of seats inside for sitting down! Love supporting locals like this who work hard for their community. Our first time having Panzarotti and we were amazed - so good!! No gluten free, vegan, dairy free options. read more
2 days ago
Delicious pizza, Great service, Feels like a friends kitchen/house. It seems like this place is always busy with locals. The time we went, I feel like my group were the only "tourists". I'm glad I looked at Yelp before I arrived to be sure I understood what to expect when i arrived. The lines are typically right at the door if not out of the door. Really casual dining area - first come first serve. Tables and chairs that can be moved and shifted to accommodate larger or smaller groups. The slices are delicious and a decent size. I was definitely not hungry after eating it. The ariancini is amazing. HOT AS HELL temperature wise, but sooo crispy and delicious. I definitely want to return again. Eat Local - it's delicious. read more
2 months ago
I had the Sicilian pizza and Arancini and they were great. They only accept cash and are open only for lunch. read more
It's like walking into history and it still feels like the first time every time. Simple pan pizza, great cheese melt, perfect ratio of tomato to cheese, with a fun throw-back vibe, all for $2 and change? Can't beat it. The pizzette is also nice, and lighter than you'd think. Different texture altogether and worth a look. Service is like a well oiled machine that would make even Enzo Ferrari jealous. read more
Super fresh Sicilian pizza constantly coming out from the oven! It's super popular for a quick and cheap bite! You can't find this deal anywhere else and it's small enough and cheap enough to add to your Boston food crawl through little Italy! The pizza itself wasn't anything special but you could really taste all the ingredients and how fresh the house made pizza sauce was! I prefer a more cheesy pizza but I really can't complain at this price! read more
7 months ago
Best old school pizza in Boston Cash only Closes when they sell out Institution Go before 1230p read more
So glad I found this place on Yelp. It's very hidden and low key, but seems like a local spot. It's cash only and a no frills place. Their prices were very affordable. My friend and I ordered the arancini to share and this thing was massive and delicious. Definitely recommend making a stop here if you can! read more
Classic spot in the North End! Serving up cheap prices and quick service that you can't beat. Such an OG classic spot. Their pizza is delicious, served hot and super fast too. We came around noon and we had no problem finding a seat. There's plenty of seating inside which is a plus (from the outside it can be deceiving! It doesn't look it, but there's a lot of space inside). We ordered 2 slices of cheese, 2 arancini's, the ham and cheese calzone, and 2 cokes. The arancini's were stuffed with peas and were the size of a tennis ball. So big! We felt that the flavors lacked and the ingredients tasted a tad dry. The calzone was absolutely packed with ham and cheese. One of those is definitely enough to share with someone else, and just know its pretty dense. read more
2 months ago
6 months ago
What an amazing value in this guy won a James beard award ! Where in the world are you going to get homemade real Italian piece of pizza for $2.25 This was crazy and it was really good . read more
7 months ago
2 years I've been trying to get a slice of pizza from the well known Galleria Umberto. The line is either too long, they're closed, or I don't have any cash on me. But that all changed this past Saturday when I finally had the chance to experience one of Boston's greatest food gems. The cheese pizza is hands down, without a doubt, the best slice in Boston. The only thing comparable is the slice of pizza I had in Naples, Italy. The dough is soft, pillowy, and chewy. The tomato sauce tastes fresh, the cheese has a fantastic pull. There's nothing else like it in Boston. Plenty of chairs and tables inside the restaurant as well, but good luck trying to get one in the height of tourist season. I've heard the arancini is fantastic. Hopefully I don't have to wait another two years to try it. read more
3 months ago
2 months ago
This pizza was so good! Definitely lives up to the hype. The only critique of the pizza is that I think the sauce needs a little more seasoning. Also, I am pretty sure they only have cheese pizza. Be aware, Galleria Umberto only makes so much pizza each day, so they may run out before their official closing time and close early. So make sure that you're there with plenty of time to spare. The whole time I was there, there was a long line to order. The restaurant is clean and buzzing with people. It's a great stop for lunch! read more
5 months ago
11 months ago
Best pizza in the north end! I have been going to Umbertos to over 50+ years. You can't get a better pizza or arancini! Highly recommend. Get there early or you will miss out! read more
1 year ago
5 months ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
Incredible arancini, delicious Sicilian pizza, and a perfect panzerotti--simple, old-school, and done right. Cash only, fast service, and absolutely worth the trip. Next time I'm grabbing a calzone and the pizzette. Maybe a panini too. And another arancini. Cute ambiance. Old school charm. read more
1 year ago
If you find yourself in the North End this is the place you want to get lunch from. Their Sicilian-Style Pizza and Arancini are amazing and don't forget a cup of wine with your meal. The line moves fast and the staff is great. This perfect spot for authentic Italian cheap eats in an iconic location. Named America's Classic in 2018 by the James Beard Foundation. read more
1 year ago
One type of pizza, nice cold beer, cash only. Solid pitstop place. Would stop by here again. read more
1 year ago
When the restaurant is a hole in the wall with odd hours and glowing reviews, chances are it's going to be a good one. Galleria Umberto is a stone's throw away from Modern Pastry, so you might as well go get something savory to complement your cannoli. The interior of this place is pretty big, but very starkly decorated and dimly lit--the only light source is probably the natural light from the door and the case of goodies by the register. My partner and I ordered a sausage and ricotta calzone, a panini, a slice of cheese pizza, and an arancini. CASH ONLY, btw! We were already full from eating around the North End, so out of the 4 items we bought, we decided to eat the pizza slice because it would be a nightmare traveling with it (we had a 5-hour flight back to San Diego shortly after). The pizza slice was swimming in grease (in a good way) and had a focaccia-like crust with nice, crispy edges that reminded me of square pizza slices I would eat in elementary school. During the flight, my partner took a bite out of the others and deemed his favorite the arancini. The arancini was miles better than the soggy ones we had from Bova, but I wasn't a huge fan of the ground beef and peas. I liked the panini, which had salami (?) in it, but found the calzone way too cheesy and rich, as there was both salami and ricotta. Though I was having Italian food fatigue at the end of the day, this is a solid, no-frills spot with a sampler of meaty, cheesy, carby delights. read more
Been wanting to come for so long now. Heard and read so many good things about their pizza. Came day after new years, so we got lucked out with no wait (compared to normally is a long line). This is cash only. Reasonably priced. Staff were friendly especially for first timers, they didn't rush you. Inside is very spacious (for both end) with good amount of table seatings. Small menu so we wanted to try everything. They only have cheese pizza. But sells quick so they're always making fresh batches throughout the day. We got cheese pizza, Arancini, pizzette and panzarotti. Everything was good but I wouldn't say it'll be worth waiting in a long line for. 3.5 stars would be more accurate. read more
10 months ago
4 months ago
9 months ago
1 year ago
Kind of a long way to get in but definitely worth it. Old school Italian. Great pizza wonderful arancini. read more
We came here on a recommendation that this was the best pizza around. However, I really don't know what all the hype is about, it was underwhelming. Sure the cheese had good flavor, but that was it. The dough was meh and the sauce equally meh. Actually if you're going to get one of these pizza squares, try and get an edge cut, otherwise the topping will slide right off. However, by all means give it a try for yourself, for the locals seem to love it!! The decor had an old school Italian flare, as these are true Italians running the place. Maybe this style of pizza just has to grow on you. FYI, Cash only, like a lot of places around here. read more
Very casual dining experience, they serve quickly even though the line is long, and although the place looks small from the entrance there's actually a lot of seating inside!! We got two slices of pizza ($2.25 each), Arancini ($4.50), and panzarotti ($2.50) The pizza was very standard, but the nice crispy and crunchy crust was good, wish there had been maybe more cheese or sauce The panzerotti was decent, the shell was nice and crispy, inside was potato and cheese. There wasn't much flavor to it besides it being warm mashed potato so prob wouldn't get again but was fun to try! The Arancini though was super super good! The outside crunchy shell was so satisfying and the inside was so gooey and soft and chewy. The peas and ground meat filling made it feel like such a hearty warm comforting meal :) Would go again and again for the Arancini read more
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More info about Galleria Umberto
289 Hanover St
Boston, MA 02113
North End
Directions
(617) 227-5709
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Ask the Community - Galleria Umberto
Do they offer non-dairy, plant-based cheese for their pizza? Thank you!
No I don't believe so. Just your classic pizza place!
Anyone know when they are reopening? Heard they are closed for renovations
They are open now.
What time on a weekday do they typically run out of pizza?
It depends on the day. I was last there on a Friday about 11am they were out of Pizza around 2:30 they also I believe they close for the month of August and go on vacation. My advice is to get there between 10-11am. Good Luck
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76 reviews that are not currently recommended
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