Dino's Cafe

After an afternoon of exploring, we were on the search for an early dinner. We headed to Dino's because they had one of my favorites on their menu: baked ziti. They did not disappoint. The food was delicious, and the service was amazing. I felt like we had been going to this corner italian restaurant for years - we were welcomed promptly and the entire staff was so friendly. While visiting a family came in with 2 young kiddos. They were looking for some pasta with butter (asking how long the order would take) for one of their kiddos and not only were they told not very long, they were told it was on the house - and awesome gesture 💜. If you have a chance - swing into Dino's and experience the warm and friendly staff with so.e delicious Italian on the side!

The ultimate definition of comfort food! Tucked into a cozy corner, this no-frills Italian spot delivers homestyle, satisfying flavors. Must-try: The chicken or veal parmigiana; hearty, rich, and smothered in perfectly melted cheese - are absolute classics. Dare I say, the best I’ve ever had The Caesar salad: a subtle touch of olive oil takes it to the next level. The garlic bread is simple but delicious, and don’t miss the complimentary bread that comes with your main, just the kind of old-school touch that makes the whole experience feel homey and authentic.

The chicken parm sandwich is everything I wanted it to be. Great flavor. I asked for a little cup of marinara sauce to dip it in and that have the sandwich even more saucy flavor. Tons of meat and melted cheese on a lovely loaf of bread. The staff was friendly and accommodating. Only about 6 tables for inside dining.

Visited this cute little spot called Dino’s Café — such a gem! Tried the spaghetti with marinara and it was absolutely delicious. The sandwich (Dino’s specialty) was amazing too — full of flavor and perfectly made. Despite being a humble place, it was quite busy, which says a lot! The staff were really friendly and attentive. Definitely giving it 5 stars. Highly recommend!

As soon as we walked into the shop we were greeted with a smile and a cheerful “welcome!” The staff were extremely friendly the entire visit to us and others in the restaurant. The atmosphere was nice vibe to where one could tell the food was going to be good. It is worth noting that there was not a public restroom. The restaurant was quite clean and it was easy to see the kitchen was clean. The “A” rating from the health department was definitely earned. Now yes, all the other was good. But the food…. It was real good! I had the meatball sandwich and it was probably one of the top 5 sandwiches I have ever had. One could tell all the things were made with care. There were little things like the cheese being under the sauce that just set this sandwich apart from others. My co-worker had the veal sandwich and was also very happy with his sandwich! I’ll be back!

Unpretentious subs with simple ingredients. Definitely quantity over quality though. Dinos is a local sandwich shop and Italian restaurant in the North End. After about a 5min wait, I ordered Dino’s Special chicken sub. About a 15min wait (always a good sign, means they cook everything fresh). The sub is huge. Definitely can be shared by two people. The fillings are generous. The bread is very standard and the fillings are okay. Chicken was a bit tough. The balsamic glazed Portobello mushrooms were tasty. Don’t get me wrong it’s a decent sandwich, but it’s almost 16 dollars before tax and tip. For a few extra bucks, you can get yourself a truly amazing sandwich at other places in the North End.

The baked pasta treats (baked ziti and baked gnocchi) really hit the spot! Large enough for two meals each, the food was divine. The service was really great! I loved the vibe, very cute and small but with so welcoming! I’d def go back!

Quite possibly the best food we had in Boston - flavorful, a great portion, and that fresh bread just sent us over the top! We got lucky and were able to grab a table immediately, but even if had waited it would’ve been worth it. Lovely staff as well, very kind and welcoming.

the meatball is to die for, great meatballs & melty American cheese on toasted bread (make sure to get napkins the sauce is the best part & it gets messy but delicious) definitely the best in the north end, very friendly & fast service. the place itself is so cute too 10000/10 I love Dino's !!!

Brooooooo the chicken parm sub is so fantastic. The most delicious sandwich and it's HUGE, well over a foot long, maybe a foot and a half. Service is speedy as well, and the people there are nice.

I visited Dino's roughly a week ago. I waited for time to pass to ponder how I felt about my experience at Dino's. It was 90+ degrees, and we had walked there from Quincy Market. We were hot when we arrived and their AC is terrible. Their AC unit looked like a home heat pump unit, but in this case, for the restaurant. It's a small place with a counter for takeout and a handful of tables. One of the two tables left available, had one of those big box fans sitting behind it. It didn't really help much, but better than nothing. We asked for some water, they told us we could only buy bottles out of the fridge. This struck me as really wrong, considering the heat that day, and the fact that the entrees were not $ 5.00, mine was near $25, and my dining partners near $20. This place serves dishes like a regular sit-down restaurant, but can't even provide a glass of water. In the end, I folded and grabbed a bottle, as who can eat piping hot, thick sauces without cold water standing by? This water thing was more of a principle issue with me, than a cost issue, as the water was priced pretty cheap, but not providing tap water, just didn't feel right to me. I had no complaints about my baked fettuccini or my partner's vegetable primavera as far as taste goes, but they could do a little bit better on the amount of pasta in their dishes. The sauce on my baked fettuccini was thick, rich, and tasty, certainly more pasta could have made the thin metal plate more filling. I probably would have liked more of their dishes, had I been able to try them, but between the hot environment and the bad taste left by the water situation, we got out of there quick.

Meatball subs were delicious! I ate half for a meal and saved the other. I like that they use the smaller meatballs instead of the giant ones because each bite's sauce/meat/bread ratio was perfect. The garlic bread was decent and the caesar salad was pretty basic (just lettuce and like five croutons).

A huge sarcastic thank you to all those who left reviews raving about their meat ball sub. Got one today seventeen freakin dollars!!!! It was gross! Sucky meatballs, too much crappy sauce and soggy bread. The meatballs tasted exactly like those awful ones in the a bag in the freezer section of the super market and I bet that's what they are! I can't believe I spent that much money because of the stupid reviews. I was hopeful to finally find a place that can make a meatball. Noooo I did NOT! Awful awful awful! I hate the North end. Except for the Churches. Bunch of snobby rude crap peddlers.

Popped in here for a quick lunch and also an escape from the madding crowds of history tourists who flock to the area. Super glad we did! I got the Steak Pizzioli sandwich, and BAM. A sandwich as long as my arm gets thrust at me, loaded with chopped steak, sauce, and cheesy goodness, served on a loaf of the yummiest bread I could ask for. Super delicious! Our party also got servings of lobster ravioli and regular spaghetti, and both were excellent, Will definitely return!

Stuck in town last night due to a mishap on the Orange Line, and found myself hungry in the North End. Saw Dino's and thought I'd give it a shot. Did not regret it! Gentleman behind the counter was extremely nice and didn't hurry me to make a choice. Got the pizzaiola sandwich and it was fantastic. Will be back!

Late post - visited in October 2024. Located in Little Italy. You can smell the food as soon as you walk up to the corner. We came during lunch hours. It was busy, but we were able to find a table. My husband and I shared one sandwich. It was enough to fill us up. We ordered the chicken cutlet parm sandwich. Wow!!! It a burst of flavors. The chicken was moist and cooked to perfection. My only regret was not ordering another sandwich to take home for dinner. We were in the New England area for 5 days and I could NOT stop thinking about this place.

Terrific little spot on a corner in the North end. We had a meatball sub with a Caesar salad. Really delicious! I wouldn't change a thing. And there were real anchovies on the salad! Tasty.

Do not agree with all the high ratings. Food was ok, nothing that stands out. We ordered gnocchi with marinara, chicken Alfredo, lobster ravioli and baked ziti with meatballs. Also ordered a small garden salad with "Italian dressing". The gentleman taking our order said they had Italian dressing, oil and vinegar, etc. I chose the Italian dressing and got oil and balsamic vinegar. Was a very bland/plain salad. Fresh baguette we got with the meal was ok. No table service / very small place with about 7 tables. You order at the counter and pay there when you are done. Pricey also for what you get. Will not return - too many other Italian places in North End to try next time.

If you're looking for good Italian food in the north end but you don't want to dress up and are looking for something casual this is the place! I had the spinach ravioli in a pesto cream and it was so good and a good price for what you get. My boyfriend got one of their sandwiches and said it was delicious. To top it off the staff was also so friendly. Will definitely be coming back.

The most underrated retaurant in the north end perhaps because of its image as a sub shop and it is so much more. Not to say it doesn't have the best sandwiches in town just think when waitstaff from other restaurants in the area want a change for lunch or whatever they order sandwiches from here. They also make salads and pasta dishes that are deliciously prepared and an amazing value to boot. Go find out what I mean and let me know what you thought.

Life is short. F...it up! Family, Flavor, Friends The North end has plenty to offer the foodies out there. I finally try to get try this well I now place. Having watched reviews and videos I was looking forward to this. Got the chicken Parm since it was most reviewed. The bread was what made this a good sub,. Light crispy on the outside soft and chewy on the inside. The sauce and chix was as expected. Would recommend getting it toasted if you are not eating it right away. Next next will be the steak sub.

We learned about Dino's while on a food tour (although did not eat here on the tour). Our guide told us Dino's had the best chicken parm sub in Boston and dang, it was delicious! This was our last stop before heading to the airport and was arguably the best food of our 4 day trip. We sat inside the cozy restaurant, had great service and incredible food. Don't skip Dino's!!

Pasta was sooo delicious, better than carmelina and all the other pasta spots in north end. Very homey and cozy vibe. Reminiscent of a little pasta restaurant in Italy. However, they were super busy, you might have to write your order. The capellini was my absolute favourite. I would come back again to try more dishes.

It was so delicious. We loved the bread, the pasta, and the chicken Parm sandwich. We will definitely go back. And on top of it, all the worker was very kind, generous, and accommodating. The staff was wonderful.

We came here two times in one day and if I lived here I'd be a regular. It's a small spot, good prices, excellent food. As an Italian I give it 5 stars! Tastes better than my own cooking

4-star, no idea why this place is rated so highly. Steak & cheese was alright. Nothing to brag about nor repeat. Tasted a little of the chicken cutlet salad which was also okay. Dine elsewhere unless if you're pressed for time.

Honestly not great. Confused by all the good reviews. I ordered chicken alfredo and it came out with no chicken, it was fixed but the chicken had literally no flavor at all, only had like three bites, genuinely gross, not good alfredo sauce either.. meatballs taste frozen... the chicken parm was ok.. no bathroom... have to pay for water .. better places to go. Maybe I just didn't get the right stuff ‍

This Italian deli was just what I needed after completing the Freedom Trail. The Italian Sandwich was incredibly fresh and delicious! The service was also so friendly and quick. Highly recommend!

The owner is super nice and the place is very small with limited seats. Its a family run business and that shows in the decor. We came initially with a food tour and had the pumpkin gnocchi which his very different, the kids didn't like it and the owner make us a couple raviolis. We came back in a couple days and ordered the ravioli with tomato sauce, frutti di mare, a 16" Italian sandwich and cheese bread. The ravioli plate is 5 large ravioli stuffed with cheese and cooked perfectly. Pairs well with the home made sauce. The Italian sandwich is really good. With enough meat and veggies to fill a hungry person. It has a lot of olive oil and vinegar, and is topped with hot pickles. There was a bit too much pickles that overshadowed the meat, but I liked it. The fruti di mare was large, lots of clams and mussels. Tasted good, and the sauce went down well with the cheese bread.

Great, no frills Italian spot in the North End. I love that it's more casual than many of the high-end expensive Italian restaurants in the area. The food is really tasty and the portions are huge! If you're looking for a more lowkey spot to enjoy Italian food in North End, Dino's is it!

The best chicken parm sandwich Everyone's lining up across the street for Monica's. They're missing out this place is delicious.

Stopped in on the Secret Food Tour to sample the Pumpkin Tortellini, OMG It was insane delicious, Talk about really good pasta from an unassuming little (What looked like) corner sub shop. Will definitely come back for some other pasta in the future, there are a million other pasta places in the North End but this one is a place you shouldnt miss at some point. Great customer service, small place but totally worth the stop!

This place is horrible. Came in to order. The guy behind the counter said we're too busy to take order. Meanwhile we're the only people in line. Then after our friends got their order over $200 my daughter had a small item from another store in her hand. He kicked us out. This is partial of the story. Their food on the other hand was as worst their service.

Great atmosphere with delicious big subs. Fav was the meatball. Good family feel with kind people.

This was hands down Best lobster ravioli I've ever had! Everything tasted so fresh and homeade.

Best sandwiches I've ever had. Huge, fresh, delicious. Good price, too. I'm so glad we stumbled upon this little gem.

Excellent small cafe. Ordered the Spaghetti with Calmari, terrific food just the right size order.

Came highly recommended and did not disappoint. Crew was more than friendly and accommodating and food was great. 16in chicken cutlet sandwich did not disappoint. Can't wait to come back to try the pasta.

We had a great time at this neighborhood haunt. We got the Fruitti di Mare seafood pasta, antipasto salad, and the chicken parmesan sandwich. The lady who served us very nice, and the restaurant is no-frills, local favorite. The seafood pasta was great-- loaded with seafood, with red sauce that is a little spicy. The antipasto salad and chicken parm sandwiches were solid, but nothing out of this world.

We were searching for a good lunch and stumbled across Dino's and it did not disappoint! Amazing Baked Gnocchi, Baked Ziti and, while we didn't order a sandwich, we watched almost every combo walk by and they looked spectacular! Was HIGHLY recommend.

Awful awful inedible. I ordered a steak bomb it was a soggy mess and I had items in that were NOT on the description. Lettuce and pickles? Wtf. Who intentionally gets lettuce on a hot sandwich? It Was NOT in the description. I couldn't even eat it because the bread was such a soggy gluey mess. Disgusting.

Reddit raves about Dino's and claims it has some of the best sandwiches in Boston. Unfortunately, it is the definition of mid. The steak and cheese is generic and tastes like a supermarket sub. Great guys and service, but misses the spot.

We were told in many reviews not to miss this spot in Boston. It was amazing! Made fresh to order and mouth watering. So good. Great fast service. Small and cozy indoor seating is very limited. Amazing history here.

Solid fast service quality Italian. Good prices Definitely recommend and the food is perfect for faster Italian.

Nice veal parm sub with onions, Huge , really huge veal parm sub with grilled onions real veal not a patty. All good as always at Dinos .

Me and my Husband have been here on a weekend for lunch and got the grilled chicken parmesan and the Boston steak hot sandwiches. They also deliver and we had pasta from Dino's as well. The bread in the sandwich was fresh every time and the pasta options are good too. The portion size for all the dishes has been good always. I would recommend their sandwiches.

Small cafe in the middle of North Boston, Dino's Cafe serves the Italian classics in a humble and busy storefront. Ate pumpkin tortellini as part of the Secret Boston food tour, and it was good: very fresh pasta in a heavy, creamy alfredo sauce. Probably not the best thing to eat in a hot, sunny day, but the flavor shone through. The owner made the effort to say Hi to each person sitting down.

24, 16 or 12 inch subs are on the menu board. You tell them what length you want. The meat ball sub with sauce and crusty bread was delicious. The antipasto salad was nicely presented. We shared both. Some folks ordered the long subs to share. The no frills small corner restaurant has friendly owners and very good food. Menu is on the chalkboard. Drinks are in the cooler, or order wine or beer at the counter. Wait wasn't long and at 8:30 on a Friday night the place filled up.

Amazing, authentic food. We had the meatball sandwich (huge!) and cheese ravioli. Delicious. Very warm and welcoming staff. Authentic Boston experience.

Dinos! Sandwiches! If ever you take a glance/walk by this place you best believe you smelled that fresh bake bread. Very small spot but you order at the counter and food comes to you. Got the Sicilian and chicken parm sandwiches. Sicilian was the very good. Tender beef and the sandwich was very soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Saltiness from the cheese paired well over all. Chicken parm- the chicken was dry. The marinara sauce tasted great. Wish the chicken wasn't so thin. Lobster ravioli-overall ravioli was great the sauce that came with it was creamy and too rich. Salads- great portions and overall a great option if you don't want bread or pasta. Great spot for a quick meal!

Stopped in here for dinner around 5:30 one evening. Seating was limited, but we grabbed a table for 2. Ordered the lobster ravioli and chicken parm sandwich at the suggestion of Mike, a local seated next to us. Prices were very reasonable compared to other restaurants in the area, portions were filling (plus some), and the flavor was really good.

I ordered a salami sub with L, T, C and olive oil. What I got was a loaf of bread with a one-slice layer of salami which I couldn't even taste because there was so little. I went back to ask for more and was told it was fine. After battling with the hostess, I was able to get them to put "a little more" on the sub. All this for $17? FWIW - This is the third time this has happened to me in the North End. Not the place it used to be and the service SUCKS.

Boston's little Italy is great. Bring from NY it is hard to say but it rivals Manhattan. (Sorry not Arthur Ave that's still the best). Dino's is fantastic. Great food very personable and cozy little spot. Hard to find so make sure you look for it. My only issue not a complaint but coming from NY I'm not used to it. You can't adjust the menu. It was a Sunday evening and we wanted to create a sort of Sunday dinner type feeling but we were limited to the dishes as is. But they were all fantastic.

Really enjoyed the chicken cutlet parm Will definitely return to try other dishes worth a visit

Delicious sandwiches, quick service, nice people and a great price. We stayed a week in a hotel exploring Boston and this place was near the laundromat we washed our clothes at. It turned out to be one of the best things we ate in Boston.

If you're debating it - just go! Service is 10/10 food is amazing and sandwiches are huge! Shared with my bf and was so full. I always get the Boston sub with the works. But they have pasta and apps here too! Inside there are limited seating and a a cozy environment!

None better. Delicious and portioned enough to split a ravioli. Such ease and care to everyone who enters this amazing restaurant.