The Best Italian Restaurants in Boston

Located on Mass Ave in Cambridge, Giulia is an Italian restaurant with a perfect blend of spirited cooking and gracious hospitality. The convenient location between Harvard and Porter Squares makes is a popular choice for students, faculty, locals and tourists alike. Here, they put an emphasis on hand-crafted pastas, made fresh every day on the custom-built chef’s table next to the open kitchen. You can even reserve it for a small group to learn how to make pasta yourself! The menu is also filled with fresh, local ingredients and delicious meat, fish and vegetarian entrees.

MIDA is a South End neighborhood restaurant, inspired by the simplicity of classic Italian cooking. They believe in being generous and thoughtful in the ways they prepare food and share with the local community. Chef and Owner Douglass Williams brings influences from all over the world and the menu here focuses on many different regions of traditional Italian food and culture. Diners can indulge in a variety of dishes, from the arancini to pork lardo with crusty sourdough to grilled sirloin cap with Italian chimichurri. Get a bunch of small plates to share with a group to make it a festive evening!

Located on Broadway in Somerville, near Tufts University, Assembly Row and Partners Health Care, the Fat Hen Broadway East is the sister restaurant to La Brasa. The focus here is on modern Italian tasting menus and the team prioritizes hospitality and guest experience. The menu is all about elegant, concise Italian-inspired dishes paired with a well-cultivated wine list.Inside, the atmosphere looks sophisticated and refined, making it an excellent place to have a fancy date or celebrate a big occasion. The dishes change frequently depending on available ingredients, but you can order from choices like striped bass crudo, Gnocchi with saute di cozze and roasted duck breast Anatra.

Sportello is a modern take on the classic diner and offers a menu of chef Barbara Lynch’s trattoria-inspired Italian cuisine. The atmosphere here at this Fort Point Channel hot spot, is casual and lively and it features stools lined up around two U-shaped counters as well as casual table seating. They serve up delicious Italian salads, antipasti and entrees with seafood, poultry and fresh veggies. They also have plenty of traditional Italian pasta dishes to choose from.

Bin 26 Enoteca is one of Beacon Hill’s most authentic Italian restaurants. It’s a charming neighborhood spot designed for snacking and sharing small plates or indulging in a full meal. Their mission is to support small, family-run farms in New England and all around the world. They use artisanal cured meats, imported cheeses and fresh seafood and vegetables, especially from around New England when possible. The interior is hip and fun, with warm lighting and a bustling, welcoming energy.

Serafina, located on Newbury Street in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston, is all about authentic Italian cuisine. The restaurant offers an intimate, casual atmosphere to enjoy lunch, dinner and a delicious selection of wines by the glass or bottle. Serafina is a nationwide chain known for its stellar service and passionate cooking. Diners can indulge in world-class pizza, perfectly made pasta and Italian seafood concoctions. They also offer a number of Antipasti options, salads and hearty entrees, such as the Chicken Alla Milanese, Branzino All ‘Acqua Pazza and Veal Scaloppine Al Limone.

Located on Huntington Avenue in Back Bay, Sorellina is a contemporary Italian-Mediterranean cuisine served in an upbeat and sophisticated environment. The staff wants to provide you with a memorable dining experience, just as they are at their sister restaurant Mistral. Chef Jamie Mammano works to create a menu of regional Italian food with a modern twist and options include the Milanese, a New York bone-in Natural veal chop, soft polenta and oven cured tomatoes, as well as Salmon with red quinoa, baby heirloom tomatoes, sweet corn, radish and salsa verde.

Toscano is all about fresh seafood caught off the Tuscan coast. It’s definitely one of the best Italian restaurants in Boston for those looking for tasty and inventive seafood dishes. Located on charming Charles Street in Beacon Hill, you can find a wide variety of Tuscany’s traditional foods here, from Linguine Vongolle to Georges Bank Cod Filet and more. The dining experience is brimming with warm Italian hospitality and the staff might even remember your name every time you come back! The interior is a balance of historical elements and work from contemporary artisans and features hand-carved doors and masterfully painted chandeliers.

Located in the vibrant Central Square neighborhood of Cambridge, Viale is a fun, casual, upscale restaurant focused on the flavors of Italy and New England. The menu features fresh pastas and dishes from the wood burning grill as well as other delectable entrees crafted from locally-sourced ingredients. The bar is a super lively spot to grab a drink with friends before you dine. Order from the extensive list of old and new world wines, original craft cocktails and artisan brewed beers.

Located on the third floor of Eataly Boston, Terra is an awesome place for Italian food in the Back Bay neighborhood. The dining room centers around a wood-burning Italian grill and the smell of fire and smoke is a delicious accompaniment to your meal. Executive Chef Dan Bazzinotti works with raw ingredients, cooked over burning flames, and allows the simple flavors to shine. Grilled plates are perfect for sharing around the table with friends, a date or over a business dinner. The atmosphere is rustic and cozy and they feature an ever-changing beverage menu of cocktails, rare wnen terroirs and barrel-aged beers.

In the mood for delectable Italian seafood? Look no further than Mare, which is the Italian word for ‘sea.’ This North End hotspot has a casual elegant vibe, prime location and amazing food, making it one of the city’s most acclaimed seafood restaurants. The interior is sleek, warm and welcoming and they pride themselves on their excellent service and extensive wine list. Choose an appetizers from the Raw Bar or the long list of cold and hot starters, like the Lobster Spring Roll or New England Lobster Bisque. Then opt for one of the seafood entrees - regulars love the Grilled Mediterranean Branzino.

Gran Gusto, located on Sherman Street in Cambridge, prides themselves on delivering a high-quality meal for a very affordable price. They are a totally in-house production and each plate starts with fresh, basic ingredients to ensure the best flavor. Over 80% of their products come straight from Italy once a week, including the olive oil, flour, truffles, cheeses and more. Try one of their famous Neapolitan-style pizzas, like the Capricciosa or the Diavola. Their hearty pasta dishes are also a local favorite, like the Paccheri with short rib ragu.

Tony and Elaine’s is the newest addition to the growing empire of Nick Frattaroli. Located in the North End, this popular Italian place took over the Amici space on Washington Street. The interior boasts bentwood chairs, red booths and red-and-white checkered tablecloths and has a lovely, vintage charm and appeal. The menu here features house-made pasta used in classic dishes like ravioli, chicken parmesan and spaghetti and meatballs. They also have a variety of delicious appetizers and a solid wine list.

Forcella, considered one of the best Italian restaurants in Boston, is the place to go if you’re looking for old school Italian cuisine. Located in the North End, this is a tiny restaurant that’s perfect for a date or intimate gathering of friends. The menu includes dishes from all over Italy, with a lean toward Naples, where the owners are from. The most popular main dishes include meatballs, lobster bisque and crispy quail and pastas span the range of linguine to gnocchi with braised rabbit.