Skip to navigation | Skip to content

Share your knowledge. Make a difference.

The North End - Boston's Little Italy

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 15 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #88 in Travel, #3866 overall

Rated G. (Control what you see)

 

If Boston is the most European of American cities, then the North End is undoubtedly Boston's most Italian of neighborhoods. I have lived on these streets since 1998, and although I'm about as Italian as St. Patrick, I have fallen in love with the character and personality that covers every square inch.

"Walk along its narrow, curving streets and catch quick glances of hidden courtyards and flower-bedecked fire escapes. Listen to the animated Italian conversations of the retired gentlemen sitting outside the Caffe dello Sport. Breathe in the scent of the nearby sea - when you're not taking in the scent of garlic or olive oil from the seemingly inexhaustible supply of restaurants." - Adam Gaffin

This is my valentine to Boston's North End, and I hope any paisans who stumble across this lens will learn a little something about this truly special neighborhood.

Just What Is It About The North End? 

Descriptive quotes from popular publications.

"It's a neighborhood in the best sense of the word. And according to some it may be the safest neighborhood in Boston in which to live." - About.com

"Can you recite all of Joe Pesci's lines in Goodfellas by heart? Do you grab people behind the ears and passionately kiss them on both cheeks? Do the words gnocchi, panini, mozzarella, and cappuccino make you salivate and start chanting gratzi like a skipping Tony Bennett record? If you answered si to any of these questions, then Boston's North End is definitely for you. - TheInsider.com

North End Italian Cookbook 

The best of the best Boston-based Italian cookbooks.

The North End Italian Cookbook, 5th

"I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book! I'm half-Italian and I grew up outside of Boston. My Dad stumbled across this book and I had to buy him a new one. I stole his original copy and it's covered w/ splotches from all of the good things I've cooked. The recipes are authentic and very easy to make. I'd recommend it to anyone." - Testimonial

Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 08/07/2008)

Contribute to the North End Lens! 

Would you like to see your favorite North End related website, charity or restaurant added here? Drop us a line and let us know. There's room for everybody!

Paul Revere's House 

Boston's North End

The North End's Rich History 

Historic North End
Resource for information on dining, cafes, shopping and events.
Historical Markers: North End
List with description and location of historic sites in the neighborhood.
About.Boston
The North End is home to Paul Revere's home and the Old North Church. It also shares history with the sea as many Italian fishermen live in the North End comprising the Hub Italian Fleet.

RARE Video from the Fisherman's Feast of 1963 

The Best North End Restaurants 

Lucca Restaurant & Bar
In the summer months, the windows open to the street creating the feeling of alfresco dining. The sultry music, Italian granite floors, and candlelit interior combine to create a relaxing atmosphere.
Al Dente Ristorante
The outstanding menu, featuring pasta, chicken, veal and seafood, highlights a spectrum of lavish Italian specialties that are sure to please discriminating palates.
5 North Square
Just three doors up from Paul Revere's House on the Freedom Trail in Boston's historic North End, 5 North Square features exquisite food, attentive service, and a warm, romantic atmosphere overlooking the oldest public square in America.
Monica's Restaurant
Monica's Restaurant first opened it's doors in March of 1995, occupying a store front on 67 Prince street in Boston's North End. Four young brothers catered to their neighborhood with a commitment to quality and consistency.
Tresca
Tresca aims to recreate the romantic atmosphere of a restored old world Tuscan villa, and is part-owned by hockey legend Ray Borque. I took my sister here for her 30th birthday, and was thrilled with the service and cuisine.

Scenes From The North End 

color by paulkist

color

hide by paulkist

hide

sunbathe by paulkist

sunbathe

wet by paulkist

wet

fraternal by paulkist

fraternal

tall by paulkist

tall

joe contemplates by paulkist

joe contemplates

obstruction by paulkist

obstruction

salute by paulkist

salute

park-side by paulkist

park-side

joe by paulkist

joe

picnic by paulkist

picnic

wading by paulkist

wading

prima donna by paulkist

prima donna

Books About The North End 

Boston's North End: Images and Recollections of an Italian-American Neighborhood

Illustrated with 100 vintage photos of Boston's North End and the people who made it their home, this book offers a heartfelt and fascinating view of one of the last intact Italian-American neighborhoods in the United States.

Amazon Price: $13.56 (as of 08/07/2008)

Portrait of an Italian-American Neighborhood: The North End of Boston

"Riccio has created a work that, like the best of Studs Terkel, seeks to capture not only the stories of individual lives but the mood of a place as it changes over time." - New Haven Register

Amazon Price: (as of 08/07/2008)

Boston's North End (MA) (Images of America)

A panoramic view of the North End from the top of the Lincoln Wharf Power House chimney at the turn of the century shows the densely settled neighborhood around the Old North Church on Salem Street.

Amazon Price: $15.59 (as of 08/07/2008)

New Google Maps 

North End Job Listings 

Sales Representative- North Andover
Liberty Mutual Group - Lawrence, MA
as one company, that set us apart from our competitors, and that in the end will allow us to say we have succeeded commercially by doing the right thing the... ...
FT Home Appliance/Electronics Repair Technician - Boston North
Sears Home Services - Danvers, MA
and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands' End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It... ...
Java Back-end Developer
Kforce Technology Staffing - Burlington, MA
than 1,500 recruiting specialists, Kforce operates in more than 40 markets in North America. For more information, please visit our web site at www.kforce.com... ...
See more results

Powered by Indeed

Local Boston News 

Loading Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

Boston.com Restaurant Reviews 

Loading Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

North End Charities 

North End Music & Performing Arts Center
The North End Music and Performing Arts Center integrates and enriches the North End, Waterfront, and surrounding communities by offering convenient, affordable programming in music, languages, and the performing arts.
Freedom Trail Foundation
The FTF sponsors educational programming and cultural events to celebrate Boston's role in the American Revolution. Guided walking tours of the Trail with Colonial costumed characters take place regularly throughout the visitor season, entertaining and educating thousands of people each year.

Scene from the North End 



If you're bringing a car into the North End, be prepared for a challenge. For the latest boston parking information, please consult your favorite search engine.

North End Reader Feedback 

Are you a North End resident or far-away fan? Say hello!

kiwisoutback

Nice work! I added it to our Boston lens as one of the featured lenses.

Posted May 09, 2008

Williamnihillart

I'd have to say my favorite north end restaurant is Fiore's. Great lens here, added it to my lensroll. 5 Stars!

Posted January 04, 2008

Karendelac

Wonderful lens, I rated it 5 stars. There is so much history in this area, I would love to visit. I have a State-of-the-Art Titanic Lens ~~ Please click on Karendelac above, to view it.

Posted December 10, 2007

ebizsalez

very nice info. thanks for sharing

bigsaveontravel

Posted November 02, 2007

jdnyc

Interesting lens! I visited Boston a few months ago and had a great cannoli while walking the Freedom Trail! Don't remember the name of the place, but it seemed fairly popular.

Posted July 01, 2007

ballerina Smith

I love Little Italy I love it to deathit is very similar to big Italy a very lovely town in the heart of Barcelona, Europe.

Posted May 24, 2007

Charles LaRocca

You are missing a great restaurant on that list. LaBrace
http://www.labraceboston.com/

Posted April 27, 2007

CJPate

Been to Boston once and never to the North End. Hope to get there one day.

Posted April 21, 2007

abenoit

I strongly suggest a trip to Piccolo Nido, at 257 North Street, away from the main thoroughfares of Hanover and Salem Streets. Pino Irano, the owner, will make you feel right at home.
Also, for some interesting history, read "Dark Tide" the story of the great molasses flodd in the North End.

Posted February 20, 2007

Pat Nardo

Early in 1900, my family, including my grandfather Antonio Nardo arrived her in NOrth Street. I just stumbled upon this site and wonder if there are any other familymembers still there? I live in Seattle now and am too far away for casual meetings but would love to communicate!

Posted February 11, 2007

nick iacoviello

great site !!
nickiacoviello@hotmail.com

Posted February 06, 2007

X
Pyeman73

About Pyeman73

Squidoo has me completely obsessed, and I'm considering counseling to help get this small sea creature off my back. Secretly Canadian and living in Boston, MA. Working as a Search Engine Marketing Consultant. Big fan of stand up comedy, movies, hockey, jetskiing and forging company cultures. I love meeting folks in my field, so please never hesitate to say hello.

Pyeman73's Pages

See all of Pyeman73's pages