Il Pastificio

If you consider yourself a fan and an avid lover of the Italian delicatessen genre, this is it…read more This is the place you need to try if you're in the area. If you're in the Boston area, I would consider it a sin NOT to try Bricco's Salumeria. Not joking when I say that my favorite bite experienced during my entire trip to Massachusetts, came from one of the focaccia sandwiches I ordered from Bricco's. I have already made it a point in my mind to hit this spot in the North End of Boston any and EVERY-time I find myself in the Boston area. It truly is an Italian staple and a Boston Classic! I am a sucker for the majority of places that promote and sell to the public the local or imported ingredients and produce that are used in the making of the speciality menu items that make the spot a household name. Truly a traditional and classic Italian spot that speaks to the inner Paisan inside. It's like stepping into a part of Italy when you walk in here. The place is oozing with class and history, along with a mouthful of delicious stories to hear and sample from the staff that breathe life Into this place. The only bad thing is the limited seating. Thankfully though, there's a local park down the road that you can sit at while you enjoy this wonderful Boston Gem.

Down the mysterious looking alley hides a charming deli and bakery!! As we were on a food tour, we…read moredidn't have time to wait in line to buy sandwiches from the cute deli, but after watching the ladies making pasta through the window, I did manage to make my way down the stairs to the bakery for a look and got talked into buying a sfogliatelle from the lady standing behind me. The bakery is cash only and sells a variety of breads: baguettes, ciabatta, sourdough, & olive bread. In addition to the sfogliatelle, they sell muffins, croissants, and focaccia and muffins. The sfogliatelle was pretty good, the pastry was crispy and flaky and the lemon ricotta filling was very rich and creamy. I would've loved to have a couple loaves of the bread, but there was no way I was going to be able to bring it home as I was already maxed out with my carry ons!

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Monica’s Pasta Shop

4.3(32 reviews)

Have walked by a million times and finally stopped in today. Picked up a pound of pacceri and a…read morepound of bucatini. We also got a block of guanculi and some fresh grated reggiano. They also had other meats, cheeses, olives, and sauces. Total was $44.44 which I thought was reasonable for the high quality ingredients. If you are lucky enough to find street parking in the North End-most spots are free for 2 hours.

I was on the hunt for a great fresh pasta shop in Boston to gather some treats to take home on our…read moreflight to Indianapolis and Monica's popped up on Yelp. The staff was incredibly friendly in this cozy little pasta shop in the north end neighborhood. We selected a pasta nest for each family member and bagged them up for the road. The next day we thoroughly enjoyed our fresh spinach paparadelle and bucatini. Chef's kiss The store also offers a variety of classic Italian items like cheese, risotto, and Moore. Definitely worth a pitstop as you work your way through this tasty neighborhood.

OMG!!! I found my favorite lemon iced tea!

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Our Prepared foods, Imported Meats & Cheeses and more!

Salumeria Italiana

4.6(247 reviews)

An authentic Italian sandwich shop that feels like stepping into a neighborhood market. The front…read moreis stocked with imported groceries, meats, cheeses, olives, and other Italian specialties, while fresh sandwiches are made to order behind the deli counter. Everything is incredibly reasonably priced, especially for the quality. I ordered the Italiano, and it was only $11 and packed with fresh ingredients and full of flavor. I was surprised there wasn't a line when we stopped by around 3:30 p.m. on a Saturday, which made it even better. If you're in the area and craving a great Italian sandwich, this spot is absolutely worth a visit. I'll definitely be back!

Friendly staff. We…read moregot 2 sandwiches. Prosciutto sandwich was very good. Simple and tastes like homemade. A little skimpy in the meat to bread ratio. Mozzarella delicious Turkey sub was very good. Tomato pesto was great. Flavorful sandwich. Fresh bread we also bought. Excellent. Small mom and pop deli with great Italian products and staff. Will return

The Original

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Monica's Mercato

4.3(768 reviews)

2.7 mi•North End

I came for the much heralded Italian sandwich and it did not disappoint…read more Small, 2-room shop on Salem Street, right next to Bova's Bakery, good for Italian provisions and artful Italian sandwiches. As the name "Mercato" implies, it's not a restaurant, so no place to eat, no place to "do your business" after, and if you've made it to the north end, you already know there's no place to park. -- Italian Sandwich: Long, soft bread, kinda like the kind you had in your school cafeteria, only a million times softer, a million times more crackly, and a million times better. Setting the base are oil, balsamic vinegar, lettuce, tomato, pickles, hots, and provolone. Italian sandwiches usually come flat-stacked or in a C-shape. Here, it's a fluffy stack, with the VERY-thin-sliced-to-order meats-- prosciutto, mortadella, salami-- piled generously but delicately, like tissue paper. More oil and balsamic on the other side seals the deal. It's a glorious sandwich that'll fill you up with the first half, but you'll want to keep eating the second half, because it's so good. The deep flavors of the meats comes through, and that's soft, crunchy bread is a delight. Pro tip #1: Get it with a small side of pesto. Have some bites with, some bites without. Pro tip #2 (in more ways than one): Plan your restroom visit at the nearby Boston Public Market. Pro tip #3: Plan your eating near the Paul Revere statue on Hanover Street, at the basketball court down Stillman Street, or on the Greenway down Hanover Street.

Sneaked our way into this place right before close since we didn't make dinner reservations nor…read morewanted to wait longer than an hour. However per my cousin, it was absolutely a gamble getting into Monica's due to its popularity. It's your typical Italian deli and stocked with many of yummy bites. I couldn't pass up the burrata special, holy cow, was this fresh. Every bite I wanted more. The balsamic had a lovely twang to it. Super fresh produce and fresh bread!! Can't beat it!

Caprese Burrata Special

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Outside. Line building and got much bigger...!

Carmelina's

4.5(4.5k reviews)

•$$$

Attentive service and food is outstanding. We are repeat visitors to Carmelina's whenever we are in…read morethe North End. We made reservations months in advance and chose the 11:30 time as we had a tour booked for 1pm. Chefs kiss to Carmelina's for having an amazing restaurant and ambiance.

Great food and delicious excellent customer service and the drinks were yummy. Parking was a pain…read morebut still Im happy to give it 5 stars.

Bolognese

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Grazie @foodieauthority Spicy Shrimp

Alba Produce

5.0(11 reviews)

Alba Produce has been in operation for decades. I used to buy my produce from Albie's father when…read morehe had a woodburning stove in the shop and would bake fruit atop that stove. It was always aromatic and a pleasure to shop there. In the days since Albie took over the store it is still the best produce shop in Boston. It is certainly superior to the other shops in the North End and Star and Stop And Shop markets. In addition to produce, Albie carries fresh pasta! And he is honest to a fault; He will tell you what is good, better, best in his stock. I just wish that I had his phone number so that I could order in advance and have someone collect my order. Albie is a sweet, kind, thoughtful and a gentleman so it is always a treat to shop in his store.

Love this produce market in the North End! This small market is one of a kind. Fresh produce daily…read morewith in season fruits and veggies. You'll find the best fresh tomatoes, lettuces, fruits and much more. If you're in the neighborhood or live in the North End, I would recommend getting your fruits and veggies here (over the few other very overpriced grocery markets). This market also has boxed pasta, pasta sauces, canned tomatoes , and fresh olives (yum!!). The owner is always there and will always greet you with a smile. He's always smiling and wants to help every person who comes In his awesome shop. Shop at Alba's!

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Giacomo's Ristorante - Boston

4.1(4.5k reviews)

2.7 mi•North End

You might accidentally walk past this cute Italian ristorante...and you would regret it. I walked…read morearound the area for a while before settling at a table by the window in Giacomo's. I was quickly greeted and informed that they were cash-only dining. But fret not, for just inside the doorway is a perfectly placed ATM. It took only a few seconds for me to pinpoint the exact item on the menu that my stomach was craving and my eyes fixed upon...Antipasto for an appetiser and chicken Marsala for the entree. The antipasto dish arrived very quickly and was a beautiful layout. Of course I desired to save some room for the entree but ended up eating about 3/4 of the appetiser before it arrived. The chicken marsala was absolutely perfect, still steaming on the plate as she placed it before me. I told myself I would only eat half the dish and take the rest back to my hotel for snacking later. However, my taste buds are not allow me to stop feasting on this Italian delicacy. If you're ever in the area, don't worry about the other Italian restaurants in the downtown, although I am sure that they are well and good, but Giacomo's is well worth your consideration. My only regret is that I only have one more night here to try another one of their delectable dishes.

Wait wasn't too long on a Friday night…read more I enjoyed the texture of the fusilli and it certainly was a hearty bowl of pasta. Beyond that though, nothing remarkable. Portion size was decent although prices are not cheap (just entree alone will be minimum $30). They specialize in seafood so the only protein options that weren't seafood were chicken or veal. There weren't too many apps that caught my eye, particularly lacking veggies. Service is on the ruder side. They automatically add 20% tip to your bill.

More menu

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Open dining room

Isabella Ristorante

4.5(709 reviews)

Great food, good service, surprisingly affordable as well. I had the mushroom ravioli special and I…read morethought it was fantastic.

Isabella's is truly one of those special restaurants that you don't just visit--you remember…read more From the moment you walk in, you can tell how much pride and passion goes into everything. Martin, the owner, is quite honestly one of the hardest-working restaurateurs I know. His dedication to his restaurant, his customers, and the quality of the food is evident in every detail. And the food? Absolutely exceptional. Everything was incredibly fresh, beautifully prepared, and bursting with flavor. The chicken literally melted in my mouth--it was so tender, juicy, and delicious. Every bite was perfection. You can taste the quality and freshness in every dish. The atmosphere, the service, the food, and the attention to detail all came together to make an absolutely wonderful experience. If you're in Boston's North End and looking for an incredible meal, Isabella's is a must. I can't recommend it highly enough. Martin and his team have created something truly special, and I can't wait to go back!

The wine wall at Isabella Ristorante.

Eggplant Parmesan

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Little Italy on a beautiful Boston night.

Theo's Cozy Corner

4.5(851 reviews)

2.6 mi•North End

One of the best places to grab breakfast in the city. Located in the North End, parking can be…read moretight but Theo's Cozy Corner is worth making a stop at! Delicious food. The cook knows what he's doing and has worked there for a very long time. Cash only.

One of the best breakfast I had in town! True to its name, this place is cozy indeed. The space is…read morevery small, so I wouldn't be surprised that there would usually be a wait. But we got lucky and we were promptly seated at the counter. I had the classic breakfast plate with bacon, sausage, home fries, and fried eggs. Everything was very delicious. The bacon just had the right level of crisp to it. It looks like there are quite a few long time customers to this place, which demonstrates that the quality of the food here is probably very consistent. The service here was awesome. The manager lady (her name is Regina) was very attentive, warm, and friendly. The ambiance overall like I said is very cozy. I always enjoy a good home made breakfast in a small diner. One thing to note that is that this place is cash only.

Definitely a cute little cozy corner

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The tiny street Theo's is on.

Tony & Elaine’s

4.2(465 reviews)

2.6 mi•North End

What a gem! Visiting Boston and wanted to eat some pasta for dinner on our last night in town…read more Being from Florida, just the experience of entering upstairs, taking the little stairs down to the other dining room and passing the kitchen on the way was a highlight. I don't know it just adds something the dinner. Our server was very friendly and helped me choose my dinner. He brought us bread for the table and that was deliciously seasoned. So yummy. I got the Chicken Broccoli Ziti and my daughter got the Rigatoni allá Vodka and she added meatballs. We both thoroughly enjoyed our meals. Wish we lived in town so we could enjoy regularly.

Yum Yum Yum! We really enjoyed it here. We had a table outside and it wasn't too hot - only…read morecomplaint would be that we were sitting up against the brick wall and it did feel a bit claustrophobic. The bread and oil they give you to start was divine - we could have had 3 more loaves. We shared a carafe of white wine which was a great price. For food, we opted for the chicken parmesan, sub vodka sauce, and the chicken broccoli ziti. We really liked both! The portions were great sizes, the only thing we did not love is that the chicken broccoli ziti was super oily and we didn't feel great after but overall we liked both dishes! The service was particularly slow, for only 2 of us on a Sunday night, it took about an hour for our meals to come out.

Interior

The BREAD

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Chianti wine bottle

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Michael G.

0

1

0

12 years ago

I went in Il Pastificio because I heard from a friend that they are have best home pasta around. I brought 1 pound of their homemade Fusilli and also saw they had homemade gelato, and pasties. The gelato was absolutely perfect and the cannoli was one of the best I have ever had in my life. I went home that night to cook the Fusilli for my family and everyone at table came to agreement that it was the best they have ever had. Inside everyone was very accommodating and even let me sample the flavors of gelato. I highly recommend Il Pastificio to anyone that loves fresh pasta, gelato, pastries, and cakes. I will be returning very soon and indulge myself again. read more

Simonetta D.

0

5

0

9 years ago

I ordered a Cassata cake this past Saturday. The cake was absolutely spectacular! The candied fruit used for decorations on top of the cake were beautiful and extremely delicious! The cake itself was moist and flavorful. The cassata filling was just right! Not too sweet and bits of real chocolate mixed in. The chocolate filling layer was also perfect! I received so many compliments on the cake. Everyone wanted to know where I ordered the cake from. I have ordered many times from Il Pastificio and I will continue. They are far and away the BEST bakery! read more

Victor R.

0

5

0

12 years ago

This place never gets old. I always come back for the fusilli and their homemade pasta sauce. I highly recommend their Bolognese sauce.

Sanjaya L.

46

6

0

7 years ago

It was an amazing experience overall. Very helpful, friendly people. Will be ordering from this place in the future.

Ed L.

0

5

0

12 years ago

Highly recommend this place. The lobster ravioli, almond cookies.. to die for!

Stephen M.

0

28

0

16 years ago

Fantastic! Your search for dynamite pastry is over.

Il Pastificio - bakeries - Updated September 2026

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3.2

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I've been to this place a couple of times, but I've actually passed by this place like 1 million…read moretimes my friend introduced me to their putting desserts which was pretty good so whenever I get the chance, I stop by for a couple of desserts with my son, the best one that I like is the dolce de Leche pudding It also fills you up so I would suggest eat some savory food before you have some of this desserts it seems like it's also a restaurant because you can sit and eat in there and order some food and they also have a little parking lot that could have a space for a few cars. It's a little small inside but it's nice and cozy so you can chill and eat your food for a little bit. The service is not too bad. It's a reasonable wait time plus most of the desserts. They just grab it and put it in a bag to go so you're ready. Don't have any weight to do anyways I would still come back for more desserts in the future since it's literally like four minutes from the house

First time visit and this is so fresh and delicious!…read more This box has a very flaky pastry topped with sweet brown sugary topping and inside is a sweet spread with ham and cheese. You have to hold it over something to catch all of the flaky pieces! There is also a ham and cheese croissant... their croissant style is more dense than a typical French style. It's more substantial and super fresh, like when you try fresh baked bread from the oven. Delicious. There are rolls in here with mozzarella type cheese baked in. The rolls are dense but very soft and pillowy/fluffy. All of the breads are a little sweetened, even the plain roll and plain croissants which would be excellent with any type of hot or cold sandwich you want to make at home!

Modern Pastry

3.8

(215 reviews)

Modern is a Boston institution and absolutely worth a visit. Their pastries are amazing. Their…read morecannoli menu is quite basic in comparison to other bakeries in the area, but they are the perfect flavor and crispy texture as they are filled fresh on the spot. I also loved the truffles, notably the dubai chocolate one. Just to note, it is cash only.

Total disappointment. I've had better cheesecake at the Outback!! Lacked taste and underwhelming…read moresize (for the price) Tiramisu also small and not worth the price. No cannolis or ricotta pie in window to buy. Won't be coming back.

Chelsea Street Bakery

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On Sunday evening I stopped by to Chelsea bakery and bought some baked pizza roll .When I got home…read moreand had my first bite I had to throw it out .The ham slices inside of the roll was rotten.The color of the ham had black spots and the taste was awful.Come on guys,if you open up a business the minimum we ask for is to serve quality food .Thats what brings the customer to come back .You Lost me . I will never go back .Be careful you can make people sick selling wasted food .

Yes,,finally someone who can bake ,, Gotta say this newly…read moreopened bakery is a hidden jewel !!! Fresh bread baked every day no one does that anymore atleast not around here ,,,Everett that is !! When I snapped a couple of pictures for the site and review I wish I Hadn't eat en already because I was offered so many samples they were all on point love it here !! I met with the owner who has a twist to his flavour he has sweet bread baked Greek style ! must say from the samples of Everything plus the Cheescake ,cookies bread that were offerd by Heverton they were Great ,,thanks !! But I was drawn in by the CHEESECAKE !! To die for yes I got a piece and MeAnT to eat half but every spoonful was better then the next ,,, (heaven) My new cheat foods are here !!! Next time I will stop in for coffee and another slice of Cheesecake !! Very friendly !! And giving five stars because it totally deserves it !!! And very clean ! Parking is a little tought but on street !! This place is a must try !!!

Elm St Bakery

3.6

(120 reviews)

•$

I have been visiting Elm St Bakery since the early 1980's as a child. All of our family celebration…read morecakes came from here. We love all of their items!! It is a clean and friendly ambience with so much color in the baked goods. Fast service and smiles. This bakery is always a definite stop whenever we go home to visit.

Been coming here for at least 30 years and the quality has gone done as the prices rise. Now as…read moreanyone knows when bread keeps having giant holes in it is not being handled properly by the baker before hand. 4 Why does my bread keep doing this? : r/Breadit To prevent large, unwanted air holes (or tunnels) in bread, bakers focus on proper fermentation, firm shaping, and degassing the dough. Key techniques include avoiding under-proofing, degassing the dough thoroughly after the first rise, using adequate gluten development, and creating tension during shaping to ensure a tight crumb. Key Techniques to Prevent Large Holes: Proper Fermentation (Avoid Under-proofing): Large, single cavities are often caused by under-proofed dough, which allows gases to expand unevenly during baking. Ensure the dough is fully proofed. Degassing and "Knocking Back": Gently but thoroughly deflate the dough after its first rise (bulk fermentation) to pop large gas bubbles, preventing them from becoming huge pockets. Firm Shaping & Surface Tension: When shaping loaves, make sure to fold and roll the dough tightly to eliminate gaps. Pop any visible surface air bubbles with a toothpick before the final proof. Proper Scoring: Score the loaf deeply enough. If the crust forms too fast and gas cannot escape, it can lead to "flying roof" or tunnels. Avoid Excessive Dusting Flour: Too much extra flour during folding can create, rather than prevent, big holes in the crumb. Check Dough Handling: Perform 3-4 gentle "coil folds" during bulk fermentation, rather than over-working it, to strengthen the structure

The Danish Pastry House

3.7

(285 reviews)

I absolutely love this place. Their lattes are reasonably priced and they taste amazing. I've had a…read morecouple of their pastries before and they have all been really good. Specifically the croissants with some sugar on top are my favorite. Definitely worth a visit every time I'm in Medford.

Service is catastrophic at least. Rude and unwelcoming employees. I never get greeted with a hello…read moreor even a smile when ordering. Whenever I would order food they seemed annoyed. Go to Tamper across the street instead.

Santana's Plaza Café

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