I came for the much heralded Italian sandwich and it did not disappoint. 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. read more

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Sneaked our way into this place right before close since we didn't make dinner reservations nor wanted 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! read more

I came here on recommendation from family as a great North End deli and not-to-be-missed...! There was a line and it took awhile to get inside and a bit longer to place my order (first timer mistake; skip down to the PRO-TIP if dining here today...!) The servers inside are working their tails off...! Their work pace is not the issue, it's the establishment's popularity...! Looks very authentic inside like a restaurant / deli you might find in Firenze. I decided to order the Italian Sub as they make it; no changes. In hindsight, I should've changed a few things I kind of knew I wouldn't like, but wanted to roll with their take on the classic sub. The bread was very fresh and the meats abundant and plentiful! I was not a fan of the balsamic, nor the "hots" (not "hot" so-to-speak, but kind of a marinated sweet pepper, nor am a fan of sweet pickles. Condiments on their sandwich...? Mayonnaise (none), mustard (none). I believe it's only balsamic and EVIO. I ate a half sandwich and was quite full. I honestly threw the other half out. Wasn't my jam. If you'd like to try it, you can have the full summertime experience and wait in the long line in the roasting sun with no apparent breeze or.... PRO-TIP: Place an order online for pick-up; walk up, go in the second door (to the left) straight to the counter where you pay and pick up your sandwich which will be ready by the time you get there. I will try this place again; I'm just modifying the sandwich to a version I know I'll love. Side note: The chip selection had some crazy flavors I've never seen before such as "Fried Egg" read more

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A good sub always starts with the bread- which was a great start, soft but good crust- not doughy. We ordered an Italian and the sausage pepper sub. Both were well worth the price (we are making 2 meals out of these). Both were packed with filling, freshly sliced, freshly chopped meat, cheese and veggies. The balsamic drizzle was a nice touch, vs the classic vinegar and oil. We got there around 1:00 on a Thursday and it was empty but a line soon formed. They served people quickly and while you wait you can enjoy looking at all the market has to offer. Whatever the line- it's worth it. read more

Monica's Mercato - Italian sub - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I've seen the viral videos of Monica's and Table. No line at either but I went with Monica's for the Italian sandwich. Wow, it was amazing!! Absolute monster, heavy and loaded with meats piled high, cheese, homemade balsamic, hot peppers, homemade cucumbers, fresh tomato and the most delicious bread to wrap it all up. Tiny little shop that looks like Italy. Hustling behind the counter shaving fresh meat. I'll be dreaming of this till next time Boston. read more

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A North End institution for a reason. The bread was excellent, and they're extremely generous w the ingredients and portions. Next time I'd go for the Caprese without prosciutto and definitely need to try again classic italian sub. read more

Monica's Mercato - Caprese Burrata Special - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Arguably the best sandwich in Boston I was not let down by Monica's. The line was long on a Sunday but very orderly and went smoothly. The sandwiches themselves are massive and freshly made. The bread is the right amount of soft to crust. All in all I wouldn't change a thing it's definitely a must go. read more

Monica's Mercato - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

We stopped in before heading to TD Garden for a Hockey East championship game... I think my wife's comment was, "this is easily the best italian I've ever had". She was talking about the classic (cold cut) italian - I had to disagree because I thought that the steak italian in my hands was the best sandwich I'd ever had. From the soft bread, with loads of flavor, to the contents... it hit at a 10/10 level. Be prepared for a wait - they don't operate at lightspeed. But, in my opinion, the wait and the steep price is aboslutely worth it! read more

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The Italian Sub recommended by ChatGPT, originated in 1995. The place claims to provide the best Italian sub in Boston, and it truly was excellent. Italian Sub: $20 for a foot long, the meat was so plentiful it's almost overflowing, enough for two meals. The prisciutto was tender and juicy; the salami was firm and savory with a strong smokiness. Both are thinly sliced, so despite the thick stack, it was relatively easy for a bite. The provolone cheese was also generously portioned, with a robust yet not spicy flavor and a subtle nutty aroma, perfectly complementing the two meats. The olive oil and balsamic vinegar were particularly outstanding: mellow, tangy, and with a fruity aroma of grapes, key to the complex flavor profile. The lettuce, tomatoes, and onions were all fresh, especially the onions were refreshing and a little zingy, perfect for removing the greasiness. Unfortunately, I was worried about not being able to roll it back up properly and making it inconvenient to carry (which it actually happened), so I took it away and ate it at the office. After about 40 minutes, the bread had become somewhat dry and hard. read more

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Selected Monica's for late lunch on a Sunday. We saw reviews from Yelp and some segment on local TV news. Preordered an Italian sub and a chicken parm sub for three of us. Excellent fresh crisp bread, fresh ingredients, a little cup of spicy tomato for the italian sub. Would have liked the same for chicken parm. We shared and saved about half for later. Definitely nice subs! read more

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You know a place is gonna be epic when the line is out the door. We split the Italian and it did not disappoint. The sandwiches are huge. The bread was fresh and the combo of meats and cheese was excellent. The glaze they put on it topped it offs read more

Hands down to one of the best sandwiches and filling sandwiches I have ever had. Everything feels very fresh and you can feel the quality of the ingredients. It's mostly a to go place but that doesn't take from the quality of the food. The highlight is how big the sandwiches are. For 20 bucks you have a lunch and a dinner; you could definitely split with someone else and even with a third one. They are packed with all ingredients. Service is fast and the ambiance of the place makes it feel like an Italian shop. Totally recommend. read more

Delicious sub!!! I was here as part of a Anthony's Politically Incorrect Food Tour of the North End and I'm so glad he included this business as part of the tour. Wow...the meats were sliced so beautifully thin and all of the cheese and other ingredients just seemed to meld so beautifully together. I was afraid it was going to be just salty deli meat, it wasn't, it was such a great sandwich on fresh bread. The store has sooo much to offer, for a deli and small italian market, it's a great place to be. The crowds lined up at lunch time...were CRAZZZYYYYY, it goes to show how popular this place is with not just tour groups, but people working and living in the area. I highly recommend. I wished I lived closer, I would go at least once a month. Don't even ask me about parking...it's in the city. Enough said. read more

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Monica's Mercato might serve the best Italian sub! It's a towering tribute to cured meats, fresh veggies, and homemade bread that's so good! The bread is soft, golden, and baked in-house, it's the kind of roll that makes you rethink every sub you've ever had. It's sturdy enough to hold the mountain of fillings, but tender enough to melt into each bite. A deli-lover's fever dream. Prosciutto, mortadella, capicola, and more, stacked so high. I watched through the storefront window as they built several sandwiches, and I genuinely gasped at the sheer volume of meat going into one sandwich. It's not just generous, it's outrageous in the best way. The veggies were crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, sharp red onions that add freshness and crunch, balancing the richness of the meats. Every bite is a perfect storm of flavor and texture. Be prepared to wait. Lines can stretch past the half-hour mark, especially on weekends. But here's the pro move you can call ahead and pick up your order next door. You'll skip the line and still get the full Monica's experience. Between the bold claim on the window ("Best Italian Sub in Boston") and the floral-lined storefront, Monica's knows how to draw a crowd! It's worth the wait! read more

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Most amazing sandwich's ever . This place is do legit. Just order everything on it don't make changes and you will love it.

This is hands down the BEST sandwich I have ever eaten. I ordered the Italian in a few weeks ago and I must say all the hype I'd heard over the years was confirmed. The meats and cheeses were so delicately sliced and by their sheer fragrance you could tell they were very fresh cuts. The bread was great, the sauces and veggies were the perfect amount, and the size of the sandwich was huge. It was definitely a two meal sandwich, which was worth the price. I'm already planning on taking my parents here when they come for graduation. read more

Monica's Mercato - The Italian - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

A frustrating experience. The line for in-person orders was stagnant for at least 20 minutes before the manager(?) came over and started expediting things. After he placed my order, I had to wait another 20 minutes before my sandwich was ready. Also, I saw several people who ordered after me get their orders before mine within those 20 minutes. Incredibly disappointing! The only reason why I'm still giving 3 stars is because the sandwich was delicious, gigantic, and stacked with meat read more

Monica's Mercato - Menu as of 12/6/25 - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

This is one of the best sandwich places we have tried while visiting New York! The staff is very kind, and very fast when it comes to prepping your sandwiches. The place is small, and there isn't any tables and chairs, so be prepared to take your sandwiches to go. I would recommend this place 100x's over ! read more

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Best Italian sub I have ever had! We walked by this place and saw the meats being sliced inside along with a sign saying "best Italian sub in Boston" and had to try it, thank god we did! For $20 I thought this was a great deal considering it fed both me and my boyfriend happily for dinner. The spicy pepper relish and the fresh picked veggies were a perfect addition to the perfectly thinly sliced meats. Recommending to everyone who visits Boston! read more

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This sandwich spot changed my life and my brain chemistry. Truly the best sandwich I have ever eaten in my entire life, worth every penny and ten times more. My friend and I came here for dinner and split the Italian sub and Philly Cheesesteak subs. We definitely could've eaten one between the two of us, but we wanted to try the two flavors. Holy guacamole. I was genuinely in shock. The photos will do their speaking. I have never tasted such a flavorful, juicy, and fresh sandwich in my whole life. I dream about it every night. read more

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Stopped in for quick drink while walking around the north end. Got an excellent espresso martini. Need to go back and try food. read more

Monica's Mercato - Espresso martini. Soo good - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

An excellent Italian deli. During my trip to Boston, my friend took us here as our last lunch before our flight out of Boston. There was a bit of a line on a Monday during lunchtime, but I didn't mind waiting at all. It seems like a well-loved spot. I ordered the Italian Steak Tip, which was HUGE! Definitely worth 2 meals, so it's a great deal :) I loved the warm sub with lots of steak, and the pickles and hots gave a nice tang to the sandwich. Would definitely return if I'm ever in Boston! read more

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Best Italian sub I have ever had! The $20 subs are a foot long and packed with meat. One sub can be split into two meals. I have to wait 5-10 minutes for them to make my sub, I watched them sliced the different types of meats into my sub. I did find the sub was a bit too salty as I felt like I had to drink a ton of water afterwards. I also ordered the Caprese Burrata special sub. I thought it was okay. It can use more balsamic vinegar, eevo and basil for flavor. I will definitely come back and would love to try their hot subs. read more

Monica's Mercato - Caprese Burrata Special - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Order the Italian sub and eat it immediately. You will enjoy the experience and flavors and texture. read more

Monica's Mercato - Italian sub - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

First time I came to Boston I tried the Italian sub here and thought it was the best sandwich I'd ever had. So when I came back to visit, stopping here was a must. However, it was much busier this time probably because it was a holiday weekend and unfortunately that seemed to affect the final product. It seemed like maybe they didn't put enough hots and onions or maybe not enough balsamic. Whatever it was, the ratio was off and it didn't hit the way it did the last time I had it. It was still very good, but has dropped from a must have to something I could do without. read more

Good place for a quick lunch! The ingredients are incredibly fresh, and the meats were all sliced right behind the counter. The subs were massive and densely packed. There's no seating available, so it's more of a grab+go location. read more

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Don't tell my family I said this, but this was one of two "food highlights" of our vacation in Boston this year. I'm not kidding when I say we stumbled onto this place, but what's that saying "God takes care of drunks and fools!" Monica's is the picture perfect provision store in all of Boston's North End! The sandwich I had, the Italian Sausage Special, was THE BEST SANDWICH EVAH! I'm not kidding. If you're in Boston, come here and buy lots of stuff, including sandwiches. If you're anywhere else in the whole wide world, get on a plane, train, automobile or boat and come here and buy stuff! The ambiance (I usually frown on such associations) is like something out of Godfather #1. This is a must-see North End Boston Italian treasure! read more

Old style Italian deli. Wow it's a must stop. Service is amazing and the food even better. The Italian sub is the best. It's a must stop. Wife got the salad. It was amazing too. read more

Monica's Mercato - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Loved the turkey sandwich. Everything was fresh and loaded. Truly authentic old school eatery. Being from New York, I enjoy a good deli. Will always come and visit. read more

Monica's Mercato - 19.00 dollars but so worth it. Footlong - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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The service was abrupt. I said that I wanted a sub and I would tell him what I wanted on it. He said what kind of sub and I said I want a vegetarian sub. I said o wanted provolone e cheese and he said it come with all the veggies. I said I want mayo and no vinegar he said "what ever you want". The bread on the sub was very good. The sub was $18. The veggies were broccoli and carrots. Seriously. They needed sal or seasoning. I definitely would NoT recommend this place if you are a vegetarian. I cannot speak for the carnivores. read more

I dream about this place every other night. Hitting up Monica's and then Bova right after needs to be experienced by everyone.

Is this sandwich 20 pounds? This is an authentic Italian deli and the food is fantastic. Our group had the chicken cutlet, Italian, and meatball subs and all were fantastic! Pair them with the black truffle chips for a perfect, yet unique pairing. Highly recommend. read more

They have very large and robust sub sandwiches. Two people can easily share one. Very quaint Italian deli where everything is sliced order. Although they are slow moving and the line may be out the door it is still worth it. Stick with the Italian sub. There list is long but go with what they do best. I go the chicken parm and it was just okay. read more

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I walked in opportunistically upon reading a sign that read "Best Italian Sub in Boston". I had to try it! At $20 a sandwich, the prices are reasonable considering the largeness and fullness of the subs. What's unique about this deli service is that they slice the meat right in front of you! A very cool experience. The Italian sub was very good, the onions, pepper paste and balsamic being the right amount of heat and sweet, which pair with the meats perfectly. Personally, I think the sandwich is a little too meat heavy - but that's just my personal preference. I find deli meats to be a little too salty and I woke up with very swollen eyelids the next morning from all the sodium. Regarding the space, it's not a sit down place. More like a pick up and go kind of vibe. Is it the best Italian sub in Boston? It's the only one I've tried so, by default, YES! read more

Monica's Mercato - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Those sandwiches! It's everything that goes into the sandwich, starting with the amazing bread, the meat and cheese is yummy and the oil and vinegar are the perfect complement. We are back home on the west coast but I will have dreams about the sandwich I enjoyed from Monica's. read more

While the service is a little weird here, it is worth it to wait in line and get a proper Boston Italian sub or meatball sub. The place has very nice workers who work very hard, but it is often inundated with lots of people in a small space. All of that aside, the sandwiches are quite delicious and definitely worth the weight (pun intended) and the trek from the south end. read more

$18 for a ginormous and delicious sub! I wish I could have tried more of their sub combos, but they don't offer any half sized subs. Worth checking this place out in Little Italy read more

Monica's Mercato - Chicken Parmigiana Sub - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Ordered an Italian sub They put cucumbers instead of pickles on the sub? What is going on here?

Earlier in the trip, we did the North End Food Tour. Monica's was highly recommended for their sandwiches. It did not disappoint. The Italian was large enough to split and the gal was nice enough to add condiments on one half as my husband doesn't like onions nor spicy. It was probably the best Italian sandwich that we have had. The way the gal thinly sliced the meats and cheeses and the mix of the veggies and special balsamic was made to perfection. We didn't have to wait and found a nearby spot to sit down and enjoy it. Way to go, hope we can come back someday but would definitely recommend to all of our family and friends. Thank you read more

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Picked up some sandwiches from here during our honeymoon. My husband got the Italian, and I got the turkey. Absolutely delicious and just about the size of a small child. We also picked up some Italian rosemary crackers (DELICIOUS on top of homemade chicken noodle soup by the way). 10/10 recommend! read more

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