Cantina Italiana

Wonderful and authentic food! I had an excellent experience at this restaurant. The staff were incredibly friendly, and the service was impressively fast. The restaurant has a unique charm, including a thoughtful detail I really appreciated—hooks next to the seats to hang coats, which is such a smart and convenient idea. The food was absolutely delicious, and you could truly taste the authenticity of Italian cuisine. The cocktail was perfectly made and complemented the meal beautifully. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be returning!

A nice spot for Italian food in the north end! The fried mozzarella appetizer was excellent and the eggplant parm was good, just a little smooshy. The pasta that came with the eggplant parm was the best food we had, but there were only a tiny portion, so if we come back we’d try a pasta dish. It was busy but wasn’t too loud and we felt like we had our own space. The staff were friendly and the prices were fair. I’d recommend a reservation.

Seems like where the locals go, which is always a good thing! Sat at the bar with several dinner regulars and had a fantastic meal. Bombolotti is the unique item on the menu and it was definitely a treat in a fra diavolo prostration with lobster and shrimp. The seafood was cooked as perfectly as the bombolotti and it was in a deliciously spicy sauce. Great feel to the place!

First of, reservations are highly recommended; however, don't do it via OpenTable because according to the hostess, it doesn't appear in their system. We went on a Saturday night, there was a line and it was a bit of a wait. The hostess was wayyy better than the host. She was more informative and helpful. The guy was not helpful whatsoever, like he didn't even suggest for us to see if there was seating in the bar, which is on a first come first serve basis. He also didn't offer to put us down in the waitlist either. He plainly and bluntly states that they were not talking any walk-ins. We made way to the bar and wait for a spot to open and after 10 minutes we managed to get two seats at the bar. The bartenders were very nice, accommodating and attentive! The food was freaking delishhhhhious! It was perfect portions and we did also order the scampi for appetizers and we received complimentary bread to start.

We have eaten at a half dozen restaurants in the North End now, and Cantina Italiana is my favorite so far for the overall experience. For starters, the food was good and did not seem like an American interpretation of Italian cuisine. I had the Gnocchi alla Norcina, which is by far the best gnocchi I have had outside of Italy. My gin martini was also delicious, and was delivered like all martinis should be: quickly. For me, though, there were two other details that elevated Cantina Italiana above most of the other restaurants we've tried. First, the service was friendly and fast. We tend to eat unfashionable early these days, and that often helps us get a table, but here it was bustling and we got a table quickly anyway. Our server checked on us frequently. Second, there was live music - in the form of an older gentleman walking around serenading diners on his accordion. It was lovely. He played just long enough to be romantic, but didn't overstay his welcome. For my money, this is the place. The food is good, the service is great, and the atmosphere was perfetto.

Wonderful place to get authentic Italian cuisine! Loved the decor (the vintage mirrors!), the food, and the service! Ordered the Bombolotti alla Buongustaia and the sauce had a lot of flavor and depth! My partner ordered the classic spaghetti with meatballs, and it’s safe to say that he ate everything off the plate! It can be difficult to choose which Italian restaurant to eat at in the Boston Italian district, but I just have to say that this place did not disappoint! We loved it!

Boston oldest Restaurant and I can tell you why, food was absolutely delicious! I haven’t had Italian food this good in a long time. I had lasagna wife had ravioli. Atmosphere is great old school. You might even get a man playing an accordion at your table.

Stopped by on a whim when my favorite restaurant was full. Very glad we came here. The service was welcoming and very attentive. Nice cocktail options. We had the stuffed zucchini which was a special and it was delicious served on arugula and cheese. The bolognese was extraordinary. Large portion. I had the chicken w prosciutto, wine sauce, and mushrooms. Came w two large pieces. For an extra charge of $7 you can add a choice of homemade pasta so I added gnocchi and it was perfect. We will definitely return.

8 of us made early dinner reservations after wanting Italian food and heard good things about this restaurant so decided to try it and were glad we did! Both my wife and I split the Pasta Bombolotti and a Caesar salad and while both were good, she loved her salad. The restaurant is in Little Italy and was packed about the time we left after an early dinner. Omar was an excellent server making sure we all had what was ordered and following up while we were eating to see if we needed drink refills or anything else. All 8 of us liked our meals, some a bit better than others, but all would recommend eating here.

Food: 4.5/5 Service: 3/5 Ambiance: 4/5 I got the truffle gnocchi and I thought it was fantastic, but not sure this translates to all dishes. Service was super friendly and welcoming but very slow, got seated pretty quickly which was nice, but took maybe 20min for our order to be taken and maybe another 20min to have our dishes come out. Ambiance is cool, kind of Italian family style with some tributes to Italy in its interior design (murals, framed photos and decor, etc). Found this place just roaming around north end, good eat for stop in!

Absolutely loved our experience here! We came on a Sunday for lunch and there were people around but it wasn't too busy, and we got seated right away, which was a win. We started with the bruschetta and it was soo good. The cheese was slightly melted, the bread was perfectly toasted, such a solid start. They also brought out a free bread basket and I swear it was some of the best bread I've ever had. Super fresh, warm, and just really, really good. I got the ricotta ravioli for my main and devoured it. There were five big pieces, stuffed with ricotta, and the tomato sauce was so good I kept dipping the bread in it. My friends got the pesto pasta and chicken parm. I tried the chicken and it had this nice smoky flavor. The vibe was great, cozy and authentic, and the service was quick and friendly. Overall just a really solid spot. I'd totally come back!

Cantina Italiano is one of our favorites in the North End. We went with a party of 5 last Saturday at 4:45 pm after booking on Open Table. We were seated immediately. The place was bustling! Always amazes me how deceptively large the interior restaurant is. Our server, Fatima, was a true delight! She was always smiling and described the dishes, including the specials, with great detail. All of their pastas are homemade except the spaghetti and one other type. They are know for this homemade Bombolotti pasta which I highly recommend. It's like a big rigatoni with a wagon wheel inside. Lots of pockets to catch the very flavorful sauce in the Bombolotti Buongustia dish! Don't let the goat cheese on the dish deter you. Three of our 5 diners ordered this and we al swooned over it! Our partners who regrettably didn't order this dish, looked over with envy after stealing a bite or 2! It was that good!! We also started with the meatballs-3 hefty balls easy to share and the prosciutto and the burrata special. The second best part of the night was an amazing red wine blend called Sella Antica. So good we had to get 2 bottles. Can't wait to return!

The atmosphere and the service was awesome. The food was like eating at any Italian grandmothers house. We started with a great bottle of wine and appetizers that were beyond compare. I had the veal Saltimbocca and it was delicious. My son had the veal parmigiana and my wife had the chicken parmigiana. We also had an order of the Gnocchi which was also delicious. We topped it off with a great spumoni bomba for two. Phenomenal is all I can say.

My food was amazing and the waiter was really nice. I got a delicious pasta with vodka sauce. Overall a great place the only issue I had was that the complementary bread was cold and the restaurant was quite noisy during the evening.

We asked a lot of people for good restaurants in the North End and everyone says they're all good. Cantina Italiana is one of those places. We came here on our first night in Boston. It was Memorial Day weekend and super crowded everywhere. The wait was not too bad and this place was bigger than the smaller restaurants. My son loved his bistecca alla pizzaiola, filet mignon medallions topped with marinara, garlic, oregano, parmigiano and basil. It was prepared just the way Tony Soprano would have loved it. The breading for the eggplant Parmesan was not crisp, but the whole eggplant parmigiana was smothered in cheese and tasted delicious. I'm use to frying up the breaded eggplant, layering it with sauce & cheese and baking it with parts of the eggplant crispy when served but that doesn't seem to be the norm. The Pasta on the side was their signature homemade bombolotti. It had a nice firm texture and was sauced just right. The first half of the gnocchi was so good, the perfect texture, soft and seasoned just right. We didn't eat fast enough and near the end they were kind of mushy. It was busy and service was fine for a busy place. It was warm inside. Dress in layers. I was down to my tank top here. This is a super nice Italian restaurant.

Last minute dinner in the North End brought us to Cantina Italiana. Service was friendly but slow. Martinis were very tasty- limoncello martini was refreshing and balanced with the right amounts of sweet and tart. Dishes were pricey but portions were generous. If recommend the fusilli rabe e salsiccia- a bit spicy but tender and packed with flavor! Atmosphere was outdated and cramped, but did have a sense of nostalgia.

Second time here, and I can't rave about it enough. The food was delicious, the staff was amazing, and the atmosphere is loud & fun. Our waitress, Fatima, was fantastic. The frutti di mare is not on the menu, so ask for the specials. This is my favorite dish in the entire world right now. And a shout out to Orazio, our waiter the first time we were here, for coming by and talking to us quick even though they were extremely busy.

Stopped by on a whim when my favorite restaurant was full. Very glad we came here. The service was welcoming and very attentive. Nice cocktail options. We had the stuffed zucchini which was a special and it was delicious served on arugula and cheese. The bolognese was extraordinary. Large portion. I had the chicken w prosciutto, wine sauce, and mushrooms. Came w two large pieces. For an extra charge of $7 you can add a choice of homemade pasta so I added gnocchi and it was perfect. We will definitely return.

The food was good, but the inside of the restaurant was so cramped I genuinely couldn't put my elbows above the table without hitting someone. We were sat in the farthest back corner booth and eventually had to ask to be seated at a different table because it was so uncomfortable. The drinks were delicious and our server was lovely.

My boyfriend and I had our anniversary dinner at Cantina Italiana last night and we loved it! Neither of us had been before so we were excited to try a new spot in the North End. We found parking just two blocks away. We were sat in a booth and I liked that we had a little more privacy, as many places in the North End can feel too crowded. They had a man playing live music which was lovely, and there was a good amount of chatter so the space felt lively for a Tuesday night. We were waited on quickly by our server Viviana, who was so sweet and knowledgable about the menu. They provided bread and oil, but I had to ask for salt and pepper, which they brought over with no problem. I ordered a glass of prosecco rosé for $13, and my boyfriend and I decided to try the meatball app for $18. It only comes with 2 meatballs, so not a great plate for sharing, but they were delicious! Came with enough sauce to dip my bread in, too. For dinner I ordered the Spaghetti Allo Scampo (shrimp scampi). It was fantastic - a little more lemony than I first expected, but you settle into the flavor quickly and it is a hug to your mouth. Creamy, perfect amount of butter, and the shrimp are plump and fresh. I would absolutely come back for this plate. I had leftovers for lunch today and it heats up so well, literally tasted like it first had last night My boyfriend ordered the Rigatoni Arrabiata. It has a hint of spice that's subtle but pleasantly builds as you eat. The sauce was robust and flavorful, and the pasta was cooked perfectly. We both really loved this plate, too. Overall I'd say Cantina Italiana is worth the visit. The staff is super friendly and hard working, the food was amazing, and they have clean bathrooms and parking nearby. It's also just a block away from Caffé Vittoria and Mike's Pastry if you're looking for a different spot to hit for dessert! Definitely a new go-to for me

My wife and I on a NE vacation visiting Boston, heard about little Italy in the North End. Ate at 2 restaurants over 3 days in little Italy, both places excellent, all 4 meals and 2 apps excellent. The overall best meal was the "Bombolotti Alla Vodka" at Cantina Italiana. The sauce was ridiculous!

We came for the air conditioning, but everything was delicious. Some of the best red sauce we have ever had. Then Alfredo was not on the menu, but they made that for my daughter and the server was so accommodating. Great in all ways, I highly recommend.

This place is elegant with dim lights, perfect for a night out. Very welcoming and professional service. Now the food is phenomenal, you can taste the freshness in the seafood and is great in flavor. This place is a must when going to Boston

The only reason for the 4 stars is the pasta I had wasn't great. I would consider it average. However, the service and everything else was wonderful! As a solo traveler I was having a hard time finding a spot and thankfully found one at their bar. The bruschetta was definitely good and wish I had just stuck to that. The bartender was knowledgable and I really enjoyed the white wine she recommended. A family next to me recommended the pistachio martini and I'm so glad they did because I loved it! Great staff, great service, would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone!

Came here for a bachelorette & had the best experience! Everyone loved the drinks, food & service! Arancini balls were a fan favorite. Carbonara was delicious. Not pictured but also recommend: spaghetti con polpette, gnocchi alla sorrentina & ravioli. 10/10 recommend!

This place was amazing! They have a great menu with a lot of options. We got sat immediately for an early dinner, and the service was excellent. The food portions here are HUGE, we were so impressed! My parents split a pasta dish and a salad and they still left with full tummies. The boys got the lamb and that was a ton of food. We were highly impressed, would recommend to anyone and will definitely be back.

Cantina Italiana, Boston, MA: We had a light lunch here one very hot July afternoon. We shared an order of mozzarella en carozza and each had a caesar salad. The marinara sauce served with the mozzarella was excellent. They make the salad dressing and it was so good. The server was quick and had a great sense of humor. There was no a.c. so there was no relief from the heat but the food was great and they had plenty of ice for drinks.

Service was great. Very friendly staff. Attentive. Food was great! Authentic. It's listed that they have AC, which is rare for restaurants in the north end, they did not have the AC on and it was a little too warm. So, if it's summer, plan accordingly. It was nice outside, but the lack of flowing air made us not want to stay too long. Obviously, that did not impact my review, though. Would go back in a heart beat! What we really liked about it is that they are open for lunch!

After an evening stroll through Boston, my husband and I were looking for a place to eat and saw online that Cantina Italiana was still open. Deciding to give it a try, we made our way there. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, but what really stood out was our waitress--she was incredibly warm and welcoming. The hostess, though, seemed a bit tired. Long day, perhaps? Hope you're doing okay, girl. Our food arrived promptly, within 10-15 minutes. I went with the spaghetti allo scampo, while my husband opted for the bombolotti alla boungustalia. The bombolotti was a little thick, bot sure if it needed to be cooked more-- but we thought it was okay. We both found the scampo to be the star of the meal--the lemony flavor was absolutely perfect. I'd order that scampo again. The sauce stays with you, making you somewhat eager to taste it again--however I wouldn't hesitate to try other places! Parking is horrible, by the way. but at the same time I wouldn't hesitate to try other locations in the area.

First and foremost, the people who work here, make this restaurant the BEST in the north end. Omar, Antanella, Viviana, Oratzio, and Michelle, give you the best service you have ever had. Omar...I can't say enough kind words about this man, he is the perfect gentlemen I have ever come across in a restaurant! Shout out to these people for always making us feel like we're at home. There is no better restaurant in the north end for a great meal! the food is always solid, drinks are great, bathrooms are clean and there is nowhere best suited to have a meal where you don't feel rushed. I highly recommend Cantina!

We came here for dinner in a week night and were able to get a table without a wait. This restaurant is nice with AC inside and booths and tables throughout the restaurant. The ambiance is also more than casual, since there's dim lighting. The hostess and staff were all great and welcoming. There was even a violinist who came by our table to serenade us with a love song (for a tip). We ordered the eggplant parmesan, veal saltimbocca with pasta in vodka sauce on the side, bruschetta, a couple of drinks, and also had some bread. The complementary bread was dry and not warm, probably the worst part of the meal. The pasta sauce, including the vodka sauce and the sauce with the pasta that came with the eggplant parmesan, was just ok, since we found them a bit muted. But the food otherwise was very good, the eggplant was moist and soft, and my partner enjoyed his veal as well.

Simply put,,, OUTSTANDING! Don't listen to the BS about atmosphere, no dessert and no flavor. It is festive, portions are huge and quite nice treat to be served in a pan. You won't have room for dessert Every thing was very flavorful and the Rollati dish had more flavor than any dish I ever had. Luca was an outstanding server and I heard a pretty good hockey player from Medford at one time.

I love Cantina! Our service is always perfection! The food always so wonderful. The ambiance is a dream! The pistachio martini is amazing!

Service was exception from the moment we stepped in. Best Martini I ever had with the Pistachio Martini. Had some nut chunks that complimented the drink perfectly. Are bruschetta and split the Lasagna which was still a big plate! One of my fav places in little Italy and very reasonable prices.

As a hungry traveler walking up and down the streets trying to find dinner, this was the one spot that had room for me (and good reviews!). The food lives up to the hype. I had the "bombolotti alla buongustia" and it was DELICIOUS. Fresh pasta, fresh sauce, sausage, fresh basil, and goat cheese. 11/10. Taking a star off because as a solo traveler, the waitress did initially say they don't serve single people. This was crazy to me since there were so many open 2-seater tables! I had to ask for a bar table, but in the end, I got my food and it worked out. Restaurant was loud, but the bar had a good view of the street. I would definitely come back on my next trip to Boston.

Zero ambience. But, unlike many of the nearby Italian restaurants, they do have a full bar and a bar you can eat at. Service was good. Food was ok. Not great. I won't rush back

We had excellent service and a delicious meal. Perfect spot in the heart of the North End.

Had a bit over an hour wait here on a Saturday night, better than most others in the North End who had a 2+ hour wait time. Service is excellent. Very fast, and professional. The table have a bit more space a privacy than other places, very comfortable. The food is good. The bruschetta appetizer was simply amazing! I highly recommend that!

On a New England road trip with friends. We spent two days in Boston. After taking the Freedom Trail walking tour we ended up walking over to North End. We just walked by and read the menu and ended up here and, Mama Maglione!, what a lucky find! They claim to be the oldest restaurant in North End and with food like this I can see why! I got the gnocchi alla sorrentina (see photo) and it was SO good. Probably the best sauce I've ever had, and the gnocchi were perfect and pillowy. My friend got some fruta di mar special and it even satisfied what has been an insatiable blood lust for seafood since landing in New England. My other friend got a pappardelle allo pesto genovese and it was great as well. Not a cheap place, but also not a cheap taste! Wish I lived closer so I could come back for that sauce!

We ended up here as everywhere else had a huge line. We came around 1 on a Sunday, and this restaurant wasn't too busy. My main issue was the slow service, like, veryyyy slow. There was only one waiter, maybe two, but really just one guy running around the entire restaurant. Once we finally asked to place our order, the wait wasn't too long, but we were waiting for quite some time, and had to ask him to take it. Overall, the food was very fresh, but I think everything lacked salt. The flavors were all there, just not as robust as I feel they could've been. The bruschetta was the highlight, and we did love the fresh focaccia they brought to the table. I know it's rude in some places, but I do think just having salt and pepper on the table would've fixed most of my issues with this place. The whole meal (two apps + three huge pastas) was a pretty reasonable price for a more upscale lunch, and I would definitely come back to try again. The overall ambience is interesting, it's bright and airy yet wooden and rustic, which I think is cool. The entrance is a little strange, you just kind of stand in line and the host appears at some point. Worth a try if you're there.

So I gave my Celtics ticket to buddy's son , decide to eat in N End which is not what it used to be sadly. Friday night sit at bar , not busy for a Friday I am asked if I like a drink I say what I want , only to sit and watch this guy make service bar tickets now 15 mins later asks me again I say I told you already. O my mistake ok sure. Now why is it my job to ask for the frigging basics of customer service???? As I order food right after as to not be ignored again . After awhile I ask for bread yes bread water etc I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO ASK its common practice to offer.....like forks and knifes napkins NO ya I guess No they usually only; give it to tables not at the bar.. Well newsflash is my money not green ??? The bread comes out after my meal well I do not want it now!!! Chewing my finger nails prior as I watch game after not eating all day I just can not wrap my head around who is hiring and not training ?? Sure make a drink I have done so and mixing ingredients is only part of the job service is required 2 bartenders no excuse ,(By the way I took 4 years of spanish too so the comments you should save for later!!) Baffled food eh its chicken parm but Cantina as in Taco Bell cantina because nonetheless it doesn't matter I just want customer service in exchange I still gave you TIPS They should understand what that means for gods sake pathetic .......

Our waitress was very nice and knowledgeable of the menu. Restaurant is a good size or can fit a larger party like I had. My friends got the chicken parm and the portion was very large and they said it was delicious!

Incredible food and service. Easily some of the best Italian I've had, and super accommodating to our family of four with an infant. The veal chop alla vodka and pistachio martini were out of this world.

Delicious food, amazing service, and an excellent atmosphere!!! Are waiter was delightful and the smells were outstanding. All around this place is a must, and it should definitely be somewhere you would want to go! Sincerely, ClutchMLB on YouTube

This was an on the whim decision for dinner when visiting a friend in Boston. I'm so glad we went. The food was OUTSTANDING!!! We tried a few different things and did some splitzie action. There was not 1 dish that disappointed. Our waiter was 'O'. He was absolutely incredible and made sure we were well taken care of :) Will return or recommend in the future.

Food: excellent! Had their own made pasta dish with spicy sausage.....wow Service: again excellent, our server had worked here for 30 years, that speaks for itself! Friendly and extremely knowledgeable ( Oratzee? ) Ambiance: Old world and wonderful Come again? Hell yeah!

Came here with an 8pm Friday reservation. When we arrived, there was an extra 10 minute wait before we were actually seated. The restaurant was packed, but we still received great and quick service. Upon being seated, we were presented with a bread basket + olive oil. The selection was pretty standard, although the bread was cold and a little hard to chew. We ordered the bombolotti pasta with vodka sauce and the pistachio martini. The pasta came out less than 5 minutes after we placed the order, which makes me skeptical regarding its quality and freshness. The sauce was rich but not overly creamy, and the noodles were well cooked and a fun shape. The sauce to noodle ratio was pretty high. The pistachio martini was delicious, and was strong without being overwhelming. Overall, the food and drinks were high quality but not out of this world. They were a bit pricey but it is the North End, after all.

We came for a work lunch on a Friday before the holidays and were fortunate to have most of the restaurant to ourselves and sat right by the window. It is located in the heart of the North End, a couple blocks from Modern and Mike's Pastry. The staff was very friendly and you could tell the food was authentic. We started with an amazing antipasti of artichokes, olives, peppers, cheese, and meat. They also served complimentary bread and oil. Everyone loved the food they got as the pasta was all homemade and they had some awesome specials. We also enjoyed the limoncello spritzes we ordered and we're able to validate parking at the Haymarket garage to pay only $3.00 up to 3 hours.

Everything was incredible! Service by Fatima was spot on, and she had great recommendations. Try the 'No Name' cocktail! It was the perfect amount of sweet and citrus. Probably the best cocktail I've had. The eggplant parmigiana was also a great choice and was surprisingly light.

Came here during restaurant week. Need a reservation absolutely, even on a regular weekend. The check-in counter is very poorly placed but I guess they have no choice since the walkway from the door is long and narrow. Initially we were denied restaurant week menu because waiter said they didn't do it on Sunday but then I insisted and asked someone else and there was restaurant week. From restaurant week menu, my girlfriend and I ordered both from restaurant week. For app, beef meatballs and aranchini. Meatballs were lackluster, no flavor. Aranchini also lacked flavor. Main course were Sunday ragu and pork chops. Sunday ragu would not recommended. Says homemade pasta but definitely doesn't look it. Meatball in this dish was even worse than the app. The pork chop was not bad but it was definitely overcooked. I doubt they have pork chop on their normal menu Lastly, third course, desserts. Nothing special, tasted store bought

Came here with friends for the limoncello martinis and appetizers. We also had espresso Martinis, dirty martinis, pistachio martini and Stella's. The drinks are great, and food is good but the price point is a bit high. Definitely paying for being in the north end but it is good. The pistachio martini is not too sweet, really good! The limoncello are delicious and strong!

I don't feel like I'm one for hyperbole, though I want to be clear when I say this: Cantina Italiana was one of my top three meals I have had in my entire life. I give this place my highest recommendation and I can't stress enough that you need to experience this for yourself. I usually talk about parking first in my reviews, but forget that, let's get straight to the food. I rarely have a chance to enjoy veal, but when I do, I pounce on it. The veal saltimbocca here was just absolute perfection. Each bite was memorable, and I will always compare every veal dish I have for the rest of my life to this one. The presentation/plating, flavor, consistency, everything was textbook and nothing was lacking. I hope I've done it some justice with my description here but you really have to try it yourself. As if that wasn't outstanding enough, they also had the best Manhattan I have ever enjoyed in my life, and I have enjoyed Manhattans in Manhattan! Don't underestimate the power of a great drink with a great meal, it makes the experience exponentially better. I think you know what's coming next, so let's cut that tension with a knife: yes, they also had THE BEST tiramisu I have ever had. You'd think that because it's an upscale restaurant the portions would be small, and you would be wrong, as this was a generous cut by any standard. Now that I feel I've done the food justice, I would be remiss if I didn't give ample credit to our outstanding server who made sure everything came out perfectly and that we were treated well throughout our visit. He did a fantastic job and was clearly in the right line of work. I think the only thing I would change about the entire experience is maybe having a different table, as ours was far in the back next to the kitchen which made it feel a bit busier. Not that this impacted the experience hardly at all! If you visit Boston and have to come to just one restaurant, make it this one, no matter whether it's a business meal, family meal, or date. You will NOT be disappointed. Overall: 5.0 stars (only because the system does not allow me to award it more) ----- Pros: - Cannot put into words how amazing the food is here. It will be an unforgettable culinary experience in every way, dessert included. - Top-notch service, they make sure everything is perfect for you. - The best Manhattan ever, just don't tell that to a New Yorker! - Great ambiance, upscale in all the right ways. Cons: - Avoid getting seated too far in the back, though even then it's still an incredible restaurant and I hope I have cause to return to Boston one day so I can visit again.

The house-made gnocchi alla norcina was my favorite Italian pasta in the North End! The large gnocchi combined with a veal marsala tasting black truffle sauce, mushrooms, and sausage crumbles was such an incredible flavor profile! They serve large pasta meal portions. I was able to get service at the bar right away. I cannot recommend their pasta enough!

I like my cocktail and dinner. It is a little pricey but regular price as for restaurants in North end area. It was really crowded in the restaurant that day because it was Italian festival day but the food come out quick. I left 4 star instead of 5 because calamari app is quite really small portion, I think it is like less than 10 pieces of calamari in the plate but it was good. We have to order 2 calamari and 2 meat ball just for 3 people to start with

Great little restaurant in the north end. Food was amazing! Don't ask me the name of the plate I ordered, but it was delicious . It was a pasta dish with shrimp, scallops, mussels, and clam. It was a special of the day. Another in the group had the lobster ravioli. Amd the kiddo had the spaghetti with sauce. The kiddo is a "pasta snob" and said the spaghetti was the best spaghetti she's ever eaten. She even wanted to go back the next 2 nights even though we were on the opposite side of the city. I'd go back for another dinning experience.

If you're looking for old world Italian cuisine, then look no further. Cantina Italiana on Hanover Street in Boston's North End is the place to go. Service is impeccable amidst the fine dining atmosphere. We started off the calamari fritti and selected veal saltimbocca for our entree. These were made the authentic way and you can taste the freshness. Delicious!

The food here is absolutely to die for! Went here with my girlfriend both our meals were amazing as well as the cocktails! The speed we got our orders was incredible. The staff ward super friendly. The place gives you old school Italian vibes throughout. Highly recommend! 10/10