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Parla

4.0 (565 reviews)
Open • 3:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

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PARLA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Trendy
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Parla

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Octopus Salad
Phoebe H.

Larger than expected portion sizes. Overall decent food and drinks. The cocktail menu was fun and inventive. Our table of 6 was seated on a Saturday night at 7:30pm. The server did rush our meal which was disappointing. She kept asking to take away our plates when they weren't finished, and emphasized twice there was a time limit on our reservation. Sort of frustrating when you're just trying to enjoy a meal with your friends and the server is just incessantly trying to wrap you up. I don't know if I would choose to come back, only to be rushed out again.

#16
Eric G.

Small dark cocktail bar with with a mysterious type vibe. Small plates, larger plates and of course an amazing cocktail list, including the roll of the 20 sided die, random choice (which I did). I won't ruin the surprise, but both of my rolls (#4, #16) were both amazing. Food is best described as modern Italian, creative. For small plates we had pork belly chips (fried, still savory and most; accompanied by a balsamic reduction) - excellent, and also the ricotta fritters (airy, well coated and browned) also excellent. Our entries included the chicken parm (moist well seasoned chicken, not overly sauced, perfect amount of cheese); the carbonara (excellent) and mine, a dish with spaghetti and shrimp - perfectly cooked shrimp, excellent sauce and pasta. Service was excellent, attentive, fun and engaging. Make reservations a week in advance, it's worth it.

Christina R.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to eat here but I knew for a fact I wanted to drink here. My husband loves D&D and the novelty of the roll 20 for drinks was really up his alley. Plus the reviews for the cocktails are incredible. You can't make a reservation for just drinks and I wanted to be sure we could try this place (I didn't know how busy this time of year would be in this area) so I decided we could eat and if it wasn't that good, we could get more food in the surrounding neighborhood. When I told the concierge at our hotel where we were going for the night, she raved that the food was amazing and that we must try the octopus. This gave me confidence when we arrived to order all the food I wanted to try and boy, lemme tell ya, this place isn't just good for drinks, the food is incredible. Our server was also the manager I think and she was incredible. I loved her attitude and she was a lot of fun. The restaurant is pretty small but it's well designed and people to seem to move in and out pretty quickly at the bar (where walk-ins get seated.) Would I suggest the roll 20? Only if you are like me and love trying new things and don't have many dislikes when it comes to kinds of alcohol. I was worried for my husband because he's not interested in too savory or bitter cocktails but he was pretty lucky and rolled all things he liked. I too rolled all incredible cocktails. I'd do this again in a heartbeat. Now to the food... My husband will tell you he rates American Italian restaurants on their chicken parm and let me tell you he told everyone on this trip that the chicken parm at Parla is the best he's ever had (and he did have a couple more at different restaurants.) It was pretty excellent. The octopus was worth ordering and I'll think about it for quite some time.

Fried Brussels
Lily G.

Nice! Glad we went, due to the waits I probably won't be back soon. We got in very late, after doing a few laps around the block. The drinks were excellent. I asked what they recommend, and it was two fantastic very well balanced drinks. The food came out after, and was not as spectacular as I was expecting. Fresh black pepper on the cheese appetizer made it amazing, but other than that, cheese on bread with sliced tomatoes is fairly basic. Brussels sprouts were ordered with bacon on the side, and they served it on top. Service could be better, wait times could be better, food took a minute for sure. I would go back for drinks at an off time!

Beet infusion Mezcal treat - love
Angela D.

I just really enjoy Parla - we have been to both locations and each time I'm delighted by the atmosphere, the creative menu and delightful selection of creative cocktails. Very easy going, kind service, and simply comfortable in a relaxing kind of way. I'd definitely look to Parla for future cocktail adventures

Spensyr K.

When in Boston get yourself to Parla and Swansonize the heck out of your beverage (a bigger bevy WITH a side of snacking bacon...yes please!) The restaurant is small but comfortable. The staff was friendly. The food and drink was excellent. Overall I was very impressed with Parla (and the Boston food and drink scene in general)!

Emma G.

We finally got some redemption in the North End. For two straight years, my top-tier chum who literally went to the school of hospitality and I mistakenly thought we could just wing it in the North End prior to Celtics games on the weekends and find a decent place to eat without a reservation. We were burned two times (not egregiously, but where we had to go to mediocre establishments that had seating availability for a reason), but no more. Parla isn't an off-the-charts Italian restaurant, but it was above average and the cocktail situation is excellent. I stumbled across Parla last year when we were looking for dining options, but alas, not in time to secure a reservation. The cocktail menu looked intriguing (particularly their ye olde shrub cocktail mix and match section) and the location seemed convenient. This time around we made dinner reservations about two months in advance, which I'd pretty much recommend for anything in this neighborhood if you have the ability. We came by this past Sunday before the Celtics/Timberwolves (there were multiple patrons wearing jerseys, including us) around 5pm in the rain. The entrance is a little nondescript but ultimately easy enough to spot. It's a pretty intimate interior with limited seating (maybe 10 tables or so?) and only four bar stools at the bar in the back. We were seated by the front window which was nice but again, offered at that time merely an excellent view of early spring weather. The food we had was good, and yet not the selling point - sort of a compliment, sort of not. We split the seared octopus app, which was interesting but ultimately not my favorite way to eat that particular seafood; I'm used to it grilled. We were both a little surprised to see it in salad form and had to refer back to the menu, which did mention one of the other ingredients as arugula (a fair clue). I would recommend they put the word "salad" in the official name of the app though; my guess is we probably opt for something else if we had that additional information. That said, it was fine - I wasn't crazy about the pairing of octopus and balsamic vinegar/arugula, which to me and my chum dominated the palate over the octopus, which should totally be the star of the dish. For my entree, I went with the chicken parm, which was very good - decent portion for sure and I almost finished it despite eating two other meals fairly recently. Interestingly, the best part is the sauce - it's a sweeter sauce that's thick but not chunky. Really good, and something I'd get again in a pinch. The cocktails are really something. For me, I stumbled a little out of the gate with the shrub section, opting for a mule with strawberry peppercorn. It wasn't bad but for my palate, it felt off - that's a drink I should be getting in July, not a nippy/rainy March evening. On me completely. My chum got the margarita equivalent and liked it enough to order it two more times. But I shifted to a very cool gimmick they had, which I believe was called Dungeon Master (an homage to D&D?), where you rolled a 20-sided die and had to pick whatever cocktail was associated with the specific number, no questions asked. My chum gets a little naughty with gin so couldn't risk it and had to just watch mournfully on the other side of the table as I played twice. Both of my mystery cocktails had gin in it, so...probably the right decision, at least from my perspective. I don't want to provide spoilers and damage the integrity of the game, but the nuanced layers to each drink are exactly why I love mixology/a good cocktail - the only kind of science I truly get behind. (I also liked learning about clouds in 5th grade). Very cool feature and something I'd love to make an annual tradition. Our waitress was great. She initially seemed a little eccentric/ditzy (in a good way), but it was clear that that was a mirage - she was VERY observant and at the end of the meal knew my first name for my specific credit card because earlier she'd noticed my head tilt when someone at another table used it. Really impressive stuff and a huge asset for the restaurant. She also was super knowledgeable about the menu and the cocktails specifically, and it was fun to guess what was in each of my mystery beverages with her after I took a few experimental nips. Very cool, very unique establishment. Glad to finally find a selling point for the North End.

Sangita S.

We stopped by Parla in the North End for cocktails and loved the experience. The space has a cozy, speakeasy vibe with dim lighting, rustic reclaimed wood, and weathered menus that add to the old-time atmosphere. The cocktail menu is creative and interactive. I ordered "Respect Yr Elders with pineapple and hibiscus; it was bright, slightly tart, and really unique. My daughter tried their fun "Dungeon Master" option where you roll a 20-sided die for a surprise cocktail! It's a very small spot, so it fills up quickly, but that adds to the intimate speakeasy feel. Our server was attentive and friendly, which enhanced the experience. It's a great place in the North End if you're looking for inventive cocktails and a fun atmosphere.

Entrance
Sneha S.

What a cool concept! I showed up really late so we only had time for one round of drinks but I'm so glad we tried this place. The server was attentive and welcoming despite us coming in right before last call. The interior is definitely really cozy and intimate, dimly lit, retro speakeasy atmosphere. I did the Roll the Die and got the Conor Oberst cocktail - super strong, maybe not my favorite, but I can appreciate a nicely balanced drink. This is definitely somewhere I'd return, especially now that I wanna try all 20 drinks!

Sara R.

I've been here multiple times and Parla always stands out for the insanely crafted cocktails and fun experience - rolling the dice is a MUST! Not to mention, when I want something predictable the Espresso Martini is my go to - truly the best in Boston, I almost can't visit Parla without having one. This is the best spot for cocktails and a cozy vibe. I will warn that the food is less than stellar, I've given both apps and entrees a few tries and it always misses the mark. Would definitely skip the food but come for the drinks and the vibe, they are excellent.

Secret Cocktail
Daniel L.

All I can say is, WOW! Parla's was by far the coolest bar I have ever visited. First, the ambience: dimly lit interior with a smaller intimate feel, decor that takes your back to the prohibition era, and outstanding service! For food, we ordered the lobster ravioli, which was absolutely outstanding, so creamy and flavorful, the perfect portion to share for 2. We also ordered the calamari, which was decent, but not as outstanding. For drinks, Parla's has a cool "secret menu" , where you can roll a dice and receive a secret drink off of the Dungeon Master list. I tried 3 different cocktails, all which were absolutely delicious! Such a cool concept, they even give you a little Dungeon Master card to fill out on each visit. If I ever go back to Boston I will have to go back to Parla's!

Chicken Parmesan
Emily P.

Such a fun experience at Parla! We went mainly to check out the small but cozy restaurant known for their Italian food and drink experiences. The seared octopus wasn't exactly what we expected, but it was tasty. The chicken parm was good as was the risotto di mare, but I would want to order a pasta or ravioli next time. What I'd go back for is the cocktail experience! They have a 20-sided die for you to roll for a special cocktail, and they don't tell you what's in it until after you drink it. We got a card to start tracking our progress to "collect" all 20 cocktails. Such a fun way to make the drink experience engaging and bring customers (like me) back! I also appreciated that the restaurant seems to take care of their employees, which I picked up from all the "rules" on their menu. Although it was a little busy and sometimes difficult to get her attention, the friendly and welcoming service made it a fun time!

Menu
Jake A.

I visited parla on a Saturday afternoon for brunch, and I was delighted with everything about the restaurant. First, on the general vibe, the music is at an appropriate volume for discussion, which greatly enhanced the ambiance. We were seated and served promptly, and the staff was very helpful in explaining the dishes and menu options. I got the main Benedict. The lobster was delicious, as were the soft poached eggs, but the real star was the biscuit underneath. It melted in my mouth. For a drink, I had the adult milkshake - chocolate mint - and it was light and satisfying with a small kick. Can't wait to come back here and try more! Maybe dinner next time!

Rolled the dice for a drink

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Parla Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Parla

Are there gluten free options for individuals with celiac?

No, just 2 rude females that work there and will disrespect you for being gluten free.

Do they offer vegan pasta?

In case any other vegans come along: I was told last Friday (when I informed the server that I was vegan) that, "Salads can all be made vegan". We ALL know how that one goes. You'll be paying $15+ for a bowl of lettuce and olive oil/balsamic.… 

Table? You promised you'd call... #stillwaiting

Hi Chris, Sorry we didn't get back to you. We may have stayed full that night. Please let me know… 

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Durty Nelly’s - Window table before moving to the bar

Durty Nelly’s

3.8(285 reviews)
0.1 mi
•$

We stopped in at Durty Nellie's for a drink and a break from the heat. Durty Nellie's is an old…read morepolice bar and kind of divey, but it was comfortable and we enjoyed our visit. It wasn't particularly busy on a Sunday at 1pm, which was fine with us, and the other patrons were all middle aged (like us) or older; the youngest person was the bartender. The music wasn't blasting, there were hooks under the counter to hang your purse (which was much appreciated), and the gender neutral washroom was clean. The bar catered to beer drinkers, of course, and the only wine they offered was Pinot Grigio for $9 a glass, but it was nice and refreshing on such a hot day, and at least it wasn't something disgusting like Moscato. [Yelp collections: Boston, MA 2025]

Cute little dive bar that is a favorite for locals. I popped in here as a tourist while I was on a…read morepub crawl tour and we were lucky enough to get a spot at the bar. It really is very tiny, so just be aware that seating is sometimes limited. They didn't have too much on draft, thought some of that was due to the Scottish being in town for the World Cup the week before. We went with lemon drop shots, and the bartender was very transparent about the fact that he was out of most of his supplies due to the Scottish. No fault at all to them for that because that was the situation at every bar we went to. Service was friendly, the shot was nice and strong, and it was a nice little spot. Beyond drinking, there isn't really much going on in the bar in terms of activities, but there were TVs. So, watching sports here is definitely an option. I'd definitely say that this spot is worth popping in if you are enjoying a night on the town, but that it probably shouldn't be the only spot you go to.

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Durty Nelly’s
Durty Nelly’s
Durty Nelly’s - Welcome home!

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Welcome home!

Boston Sail Loft - New England Clam Chowder (bowl)

Boston Sail Loft

4.4(2.2k reviews)
0.2 mi•North End
•$$

The lobster was amazing, super firm and juicy, and it tasted fantastic even without any sauce. You…read morecan really taste how fresh and delicious the food is. The service is great too, they clear your empty plates right away. The restaurant's right by the harbor, so you get an awesome view of the ocean while you eat. It's seriously a great spot.

Came at probably the busiest time, Sunday at 6pm. They said the wait was an hour & 10 mins but I…read moregot the alert text around the 53 min mark. I decided the this spot since it was indoors mostly and it had rained all day. There were several people helping working the hostess stand. There were several folks walking around gathering info. i.e. Table 15 was paying etc. The noise is busy and charming. There are several TVs streaming sorts. Go sports! You can stand at the end of the bar and order drinks if you like while you wait. After I was seated, I was promptly brought water and had my order taken. I got a cup of chowder and the lobster roll (hot with butter). I got both my chowder and lobster roll in under 10 mins of ordering. Well oiled machine. The chowder was hot and salty and creamy. The perfect combo with the rainy weather. The lobster roll was good but I wish it would have been hot. It was closer to room temp than hot. The lobster roll was marked market price and was 40$. The cup of chowder was 10$. Overall good spot when you have the time to wait but not worth the 40$ price for the lobster roll.

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Boston Sail Loft - Inside

Inside

Boston Sail Loft - Clam Chowder

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New England Clam Chowder

Parla - italian - Updated November 2026

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