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    Monica's Trattoria

    3.6 (645 reviews)
    PriceyItalian, Seafood, Bars
    Closed 4:00 pm - 8:30 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Monica's Trattoria Photos

    Business Info

    MONICA'S TRATTORIA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Intimate
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Monica's Trattoria

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    Espresso Martini-YUM

    Always a great spot. Came here during a blizzard and they were open. I've kept coming back since!

    Chicken Parmigiana alla Vodka
    David G.

    Amazing food. Great suggestions from our server. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Beautiful place.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] A must when in the North End

    Pistachio Martini
    Kimbery W.

    First time here was August of 2023, came with my family for my birthday and we had a delicious meal and a wonderful time. Since then I have been back 4 times, with 3 of them being since March. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The bar area is where we sit usually and it is decorated so beautifully and I love all the old pictures of Monica and her husband and family members.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service has always been top notch and each time I have been to Monica's our bartender has been Matthew. He is absolutely fantastic! He's personable, friendly and makes an unbelievable Martini too! His family should be so proud of him for doing such a good job and representing his family so well. Next trip into the North End we will be visiting Vinoteca DiMonica but stopping by to see Matt for a drink first!

    espresso martini
    Pete W.

    About time we tried Monica's Trattoria and it lived up to their reputation of top tier Italian. I get their homemade subs across the street quite a but so this was a highly anticipated visit. Eating here felt special. There's a lot of people here that want you to have a great experience and are very personable. We were helped in picking our appetizers and the food was delicious. The pasta was al dente and the ragu and ricotta combo was incredible. It's a tightly packed, vibrant, and comfortable restaurant. Dimly lit and the ultimate date spot. If you like Bricco you'd like Monica's.

    Chicken parm with spicy vodka gnochhi Perfect carb loading meal while visiting for the marathon

    Parmigiana alla vodka
    Matthew H.

    Months after someone raved about this restaurant to me, I finally had the chance to stop by for a Sunday dinner with two friends. We had reservations for 6pm, and when were arrived the restaurant was indeed quite busy, but we were seated after just a short wait. I ordered the parmigiana alla vodka which was quite good! The pasta was really nicely cooked to a great texture (I prefer my noodles on the harder side) and the sauce was tasty - rich and not too heavy. Chicken had a nice overall flavour, but the breading was a bit soggy and at times it just felt a little sloppily prepared in terms of consistency throughout. My friends had the spaghetti alla carbonara and the fettuccine al nero con capesante. Carbonara was delicious - pancetta was really flavourful and complemented the creamy sauce - but was a tad too salty overall. Fettucine was also great - the squid ink pasta was well-prepared (and certainly looked fantastic) and the scallops were a highlight of the dish. Service, however, was lacking. Our server was not very attentive to us, and it took ages for us to get anyone's attention, be it to order, ask for water, get the cheque, etc. Overall, though, not a bad experience, and while I think a bit pricey for the quality and quantity of food, I think I could see myself coming again to try some of the other yummy pastas on their menu!

    Quattro formaggi ravioli! $26
    Kent V.

    Came here with high hopes and the food was good but for these prices we expected better service! The people filling our waters probably asked us if we wanted refills every 5-10 mins and looked miserable. Hostess that took us to our table looked underage and not wanting to be there. Other people coming around giving us bread didn't look happy either. I get it....times are tough with finding workers but these all looked either related or connected to the owner/manager perhaps? The 4 cheese raviolis was really good though! I enjoyed the sauce and it was not too heavy. Just the right amount of food. Others in my party had the Fettuccine al Nero di Seppia con Capesante and the Frutti di Mare con Fettuccine Nero. We all enjoyed our dishes...it was good Italian food but not amazing. The drinks were good and strong. Liked their old fashions! With so much competition in the area, I think the next time we come back, we will try another restaurant out. Took about 15-20 mins to flag someone down to get the bill.

    Table / without reservations near bar
    Joanne T.

    Had the best time here this past weekend. My boyfriend and I came to Boston for the weekend and we're excited to try this place out after reading some blogs online. It was exactly was we were looking for - amazing Italian food. I had ordered the gnocchi dish and it was phenomenal. My boyfriend had a chicken parmigiana dish and it was fantastic too. We had Cabernet on the side which was great as well. Overall the food was 10/10. The staff was kind. The ambiance inside was cozy and very festive for the holidays. And we were happy to have snagged a table without a reservation. If you plan on coming, I suggest reserving a table. Will return back here in the future for sure. Loved it!

    Calamari Fritti
    Em B.

    Spent almost 4 hours here the other night for dinner. We were told it would be a 30 minute wait for an outside table, and we could come back or sit at the bar. We sat at the bar and started with drinks, I had the red sangria which was very sweet and strong, and he had a spritzer. I loved their ghost margarita. When we were seated about 35 minutes later, it took another hour to be able to order our appetizers, and we had to ask the bus boy to send a waiter over. He was the nicest and most attentive of all the staff. We watched him speak to the hostess on our behalf, and it still took another 15 minutes for someone to take our first course order. I asked for grilled calamari as an appetizer and they said they couldn't make it, so I ordered the Fried Calamari with the Deep Fried Zucchini Blossoms, which didn't have much zucchini in them. I wouldn't have ordered these again. My date and I ordered the Seafood Fradiavolo and the Spaghetti and Meatballs substituted with penne. They were both very good, but I did ask them to replace the clams with shrimp, and they gave us 3 shrimp which were on the smaller side. It took a long time to be seated, a long time to be offered food, and more of a wait to receive the food. Dessert wasn't even an option after arriving here at 5:30 and leaving at 9:30. They ended up being able to serve us the grilled calamari only when it was ordered as the Seafood Fradiavolo, and I would have not ordered the Fried calamari if they were able to communicate that. Presentation was nice, but the service was inattentive and a little negligent. Maybe they need better management. I wouldn't return for food based on this experience, but maybe I'd stop by for a drink at the bar.

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    Good Thai food with the usual choices. Nicely presented with colorful plates. Try the Fresh rolls, green curry & pad Thai.

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    The food. The food was generous and amazing. The staff was attentive. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere was incredible[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

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    2 years ago

    Our favorite go to especially with our kids. They always welcome our entire family and the food is delicious.

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    Page 1 of 17

    Monica's Trattoria Reviews in Other Languages

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    Gigi

    Gigi

    4.3
    (252 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    oh. em. gee. best pasta i've ever had in my life…read more i was looking online for an italian restaurant and this came up multiple times. first off, the interior is gorgeous, plush green seats and antique style. we ordered their special items of the night: lobster risotto and the vodka veal. genuinely the best risotto i've ever had. the people online were not lying when they said their vodka rigatoni was the best. it was indeed very very delicious. even though all of us were full from the pasta, we still had to get tiramisu. it was a perfect way to end the meal. our server was great and attentive, thank you for a wonderful meal.

    7/5/26: I stopped by Gigi for lunch around 1 PM on a Sunday, and surprisingly the restaurant was…read morealmost empty. My guess is that this is more of an evening destination where people come for cocktails and the atmosphere rather than lunch. We ordered a Diet Coke, the Scampi appetizer, Carbonara, and the Rigatoni Alla Vodka. The scampi was easily the best part of the meal. It was flavorful, cooked well, and made for a nice appetizer to start things off. Unfortunately, the pastas didn't quite meet expectations, especially considering the price. The Rigatoni Alla Vodka was $28, but the pasta wasn't cooked al dente and felt overdone. The Carbonara, also $28, was disappointing as the eggs had curdled and the dish ended up being much oilier than I expected. At $18, the scampi was enjoyable, but overall I don't think the food justified the price point. One bright spot was the service. Our waitress was incredibly kind, checked in on us frequently, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. The restaurant itself is beautiful and has a very aesthetic design. I can definitely see why it's popular on social media. There is also outdoor seating, which I imagine would be a nice option on a warm summer evening. One thing I did notice, though, is how closely the tables are spaced together. Since the restaurant was mostly empty during our visit it wasn't an issue, but I could see it feeling crowded and fairly loud once the dining room fills up. I was honestly surprised by the meal because Gigi is part of the Mazi Restaurant Group, and I've really enjoyed some of their other concepts, especially Kava Neo-Taverna. Based on this experience, though, I think there are plenty of Italian restaurants in Boston that offer better food and better value for the same price. Overall, I'd give Gigi 3/5 stars. The service and atmosphere were both strong, but the food didn't live up to the pricing. If I came back, it would probably be for drinks, appetizers, and the ambiance rather than a full Italian dinner.

    Photos
    Inside/Decor
    Inside/Decor
    Burrata 10/10
    Burrata 10/10
    Elderflower spritz

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    Elderflower spritz
    Giacomo's Ristorante - Boston

    Giacomo's Ristorante - Boston

    4.1
    (4.5k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Let me get the one negative I have about this place out of the way - NO AC!…read moreIf you happen to want to try Giacomo's, make sure it isn't humid or overwhelming hot like how it was for my family and I, otherwise you will be suffocating. I felt horrible for the chefs in the back and the staff who were working amidst the flames in that heat for hours, wow. However... given the circumstance and the appropriate weather, Giacomo's might just be one of the most scenic and atmospheric spots in all of Boston's Little Italy in the North End. I can promise you, if you're looking for good quality Italian food with no fillers in portioning or shortcuts in meal quality and preparation - Giacomo's is for you. Some of the best bites of food I've had in recent memory from any place I've been to period! The joint and the staff have such class and professionalism, it's an experience all to itself. I will be back next time to sample more of their delicious and famous seasonal menu items and wine pairings. Cash only spot as of right now and I'm unsure if they plan on changing it, so be mindful of that.

    **Cash ony/ First come first serve**…read more Delicious Italian food, note the portions are large. Ordered bruschetta, meatballs and clam chowder for apps, clam linguine, lobster fra diavolo and penne bolognese - and everything was really good. Sauces are made in house and you have the option to pick your pasta, sauce and seafood option or select from an extensive menu. Food was flavorful and came out piping hot. Service was friendly and efficient. We were seated downstairs and ambiance was casual. Cash only and they have an ATM machine inside. First come first serve, lines can look imidating but moved pretty fast. Overall, if you are looking for delicious Italian food Giacomo's is a solid option.

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    More menu
    More menu
    Frutti di Mare Linguine
    Frutti di Mare Linguine
    Open dining room

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    Open dining room
    Piattini

    Piattini

    4.0
    (1.2k reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$$

    Thought that I was gonna get pasta, but decided to settle for sandwiches instead and it ended up…read morebeing a great decision! The pesto chicken sandwich is absolutely delicious-- from the focaccia bread being heavily seasoned to the chicken being juicy and crunchy at the same time, with the pesto, bring a great taste to the table overall, I absolutely loved this sandwich. The meatball Panini was also delicious if you are a meatball fan! Service was good. I just wish that it was a little bit more attentive at times as we waited a little longer to have gotten our check. I will come back here again to try more of their dishes and to try some of their drinks as well!

    Lots of great Italian restaurants in Boston and Piattini should be counted among them…read more Eating outside in Newbury Street on a bustling Tuesday night was delightful. We ordered the pesto gnocchi, which was light and creamy with chunks of tomatoes. Very good. We also had the fig pizza, which was also very good. Crisp , thin crust, and toppings that worked well together. But as a second-gen Italian American, the real test eas going to be the marinara sauce. So I ordered the spaghetti. I'm here to tell you it was excellent! Made from scratch with plum tomatoes simmered in garlic, it was so good I finished a hearty-sized portion! Simple, basic, spot on Italian. Service was good; prices on pastas reasonable. I highly recommend this place.

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    Inside
    Inside
    Tuna Crudo
    Tuna Crudo
    Raffaela's Tiramisu (~$12)

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    Raffaela's Tiramisu (~$12)
    Mida

    Mida

    4.3
    (61 reviews)
    2.8 mi

    Wow! This kitchen is on fire! We were happy to find Mida open on the 4th of July! We were in Boston…read morefor a week and had some excellent food and this was our favorite restaurant of the trip. The service was amazing from the kitchen. We had a food party and shared all items. Pizza, fritto misto, braised beef on cauliflower puree ( no picture it was so good I forgot) Caesar salad and meatballs (also forgot to shoot a picture). Food was absolutely amazing. One note that I would normally score down on service when I order a drink before dinner I should at least get the drink and be able to consume it before all the food comes! Mida missed an opportunity here in timing the food and lost some liquor sales as a result. We gave this feedback to our server. Food was totally worth it and the vibe of the space was nice. Thanks Mida for a greata meala!

    Moody, classy interior that's perfect for a night out !…read more Spacious with plenty of seating (had no trouble making a last minute reservation) and great service all-around. Ordered the sausage pizza and mushroom pappardelle. 10/10 pizza--crispy crust with spicy peppers that balance out the sausages. Not to mention, most of the pizzas had reasonable prices for this area. Pasta was very mild (great if you're looking for a 'butter noodle' vibe) but personally wish it had more flavor. Highly recommend overall and would be a great choice for groups !

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Sausage pizza +  Mushroom pappardelle
    Sausage pizza + Mushroom pappardelle
    Inside

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    Inside
    SRV Boston

    SRV Boston

    4.4
    (654 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$$

    Back in July 2020, I returned to SRV and decided to try the Arsenale tasting menu, a chef-curated,…read moremulti-course shared experience. Since it was summertime, we were able to sit outside in the courtyard out back. I had been to SRV before and had no idea this space was even there. It was tucked away, relaxed, and a great setting for dinner. I was pleased with just about everything that came to the table. There was one dish that simply wasn't doing it for us, but we didn't complain or ask for anything different. Then something happened that really stood out. The chef came out herself and mentioned that she noticed we barely touched that particular dish. She asked if she could send us something else instead. Sure enough, she did. That immediately took the service to another level. We never had to say a word. She noticed, cared enough to ask, and made sure we left happy. Looking back on this July 2020 visit, the food was creative, the courtyard was a nice surprise, but that level of attention from the chef is what I remember most. It turned a great dinner into a memorable one.

    Was excited to try SRV for the first time! The food was good, the servers were attentive, and the…read morerestaurant is beautiful inside. The one major issue we had was the timing with food. It was insanely slow. The starters were a little slow to come out, but nothing unusual. The entree, however, took probably close to 40 minutes to come out. We had so much time in between courses, by the time we go our food I was ready to leave. I also want to note that this was a Monday, they had a decent dinner rush, but it wasn't slammed. I have never experienced such slow timing with food before. I also work in the service industry, so it's a bummer to have to leave this review, but I was in genuine disbelief at how long it took. I understand things happen and maybe this was just a one-off thing, I hope it was! I wanted to get coffee and dessert but was so over it by the time we got our dinner, I didn't want to risk how much longer it would take. Unfortunately, because of how slow the service was and how long we were left there waiting, it made the dinner experience unenjoyable. Totally was not our servers fault! She and the whole staff were great, and everyone was so kind and friendly. Hoping to give this place another try one day. Definitely want to try their dessert if I decide to give them another chance.

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    Bar Interior
    Bar Interior
    Stuffed fired zucchini flower
    Stuffed fired zucchini flower
    Outdoor

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    Outdoor
    MIDA

    MIDA

    4.2
    (712 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    Great food, lovely ambiance, and awesome waitress! Perfect GNO or date night spot…read more I really liked both of the entrees we ordered. - - The lasagna was a hearty, comforting bite. Adding short rib as the protein gave the classic dish a unique but welcome twist. I was a fan! - The rock shrimp carbonara was al dente (and made with bucatini!!) and covered in the perfect amount of creamy sauce. No notes there. Also huge shout out to our waitress (who we unfortunately did not get the name of). She helped us pick a delicious wine, and made our night a bit more entertaining.

    MIDA has been one of my favorite restaurants in the South End for years. Great Italian food, a…read morerelaxed neighborhood feel, and proudly Black-owned. It's one of those places I'm always comfortable recommending. On this visit, the Smoked Short Rib Lasagna was the reason for coming in, and we both ordered it. This is not your typical lasagna. The short rib adds a rich, smoky flavor, layered with cheese and surrounded by plenty of tomato sauce. It's hearty without trying to be overly complicated. Just really good comfort food. We also started with the Bresaola Plate, bread with olive oil, and I had a MIDAríta to drink. What I've always liked about MIDA is that it feels approachable. You can come for a casual dinner, date night, or just because you're craving a good plate of pasta. The food remains the focus. For me, MIDA is a South End staple and a restaurant I'll continue coming back to.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Arancini
    Arancini
    Calamari

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    Calamari

    Monica's Trattoria - italian - Updated August 2026

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