Dino's Cafe

Dino's Cafe is a hidden gem you need to seek out amidst the sea of Italian restaurants in Boston. This little spot offers an experience that goes far beyond just good food. It delivers a true taste of authentic Italian hospitality. The menu here is simple but perfect. The pastas and sandwiches are authentically prepared, fresh, and bursting with flavor. What makes this place even more incredible is the very reasonable pricing. You are getting genuine Italian food without breaking the bank. The heart of Dino's is its staff, especially the owner. He is incredibly polite, funny, and genuinely makes you feel comfortable, as if you have walked into his own home kitchen. The hospitality is warm, welcoming, and memorable. The other staff members are equally welcoming and attentive, ensuring every guest feels valued. We visited on a very busy weekend evening, yet the premises were kept neat and clean. Dino's is small. There are only about 6 or 7 tables inside, so if you visit during peak dinner or lunch hours, you should anticipate a wait time. Don't miss this place.

On a very busy Saturday night in North End, I was looking for a place to grab dinner, walked right in and was told to have a seat! The restaurant itself is pretty small, it's also almost a fast food spot, since you have to go up the counter to order once you're ready. I ended getting a lobster ravioli and a Sicilian Steak with cheese. Both came to the table super quick, within less than 10 minutes seemingly. The sandwiches are huge (16 inches) and the ravioli was pretty good, rich creamy sauce. Overall, I really enjoyed eating here and the prices are affordable! I definitely recommend stopping in for a casual bite. Only thing is that it gets a bit cramped here with people having to move slightly aside to go to their tables.

⸻ When I tell you Dino’s feels like going home to eat at your grandma and grandpa’s house, I mean it. From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed by Mo, who immediately made us feel comfortable. The menu is surprisingly huge for such a cozy spot, and the food… absolutely the best I’ve had in the North End, hands down. The heroes are massive, the kind you can barely wrap your hands around, and every bite is packed with flavor. Lenny was behind the counter with a big smile, so kind and accommodating—exactly the kind of warm hospitality that makes this place special. The eggplant? On another level. My husband couldn’t keep his hands off it! The salad tasted like it came straight out of the garden, fresh and crisp. And let me tell you—the prices are so reasonable it’s crazy for the quality and portion sizes you get. Dino’s is truly a hidden gem. If you miss this place, you haven’t really experienced the North End at its best.

We were grateful to find lunch here on the very busy 4th of July holiday. There was only a couple of minutes wait while a table was wiped down. They were very busy - just like every other restaurant that day - but our food came out fairly quickly after we placed our order at the counter. The chicken parm sub was the reason I decided to have lunch here and it did not disappoint. My husband and I split it and each half was a whole filling portion all by itself. The chicken was crispy, fresh, and delicious and the bread was perfect, too. I loved everything about it including the sauce. I would recommend this place for that alone. The salad was good, too. I didn't enjoy the meatballs as much, but my husband said they were fine. This was a great stop for lunch and I would recommend trying it if you are in the neighborhood.

Nice, warm, small business, homey-feel, family-owned restaurant to eat at. The dining area was small, could maybe fit 15-20 people at once, but the walls were lined with pictures of the family that owns the business, gives you more comfort to be dining there knowing that the food is authentic. We ordered spaghetti, ravioli, and ziti. I ate my food before taking a picture hence the missing ravioli. It was so good. They have a wide selection of pastas and sauces, and they all were amazing! Food came out fast too. Good price for the portion you received. Amazing staff that checks on you throughout your dining. I would recommend eating here for those craving Italian food in the Boston area.

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!

Fresh simplistic Italian food. The old school Italian guys were awesome to witness. The baked ziti was somehow light and so fresh. My husband's chicken Alfredo was to die for. I think I may have offended the guys that I couldn't eat more of my food. There was just so much to try and I really wasn't even hungry going in but wouldn't pass it up.

Final night in Boston and figured I’d get a north end staple. The photos do this no justice. The chicken parm was fantastic. Perfect ratio of sauce to cheese and cutlets. The chicken was extremely tender and pairs extremely well with the fresh bread that is smothered in their excellent sauce. The cheese is there in the background, but isn’t overpowering or too heavy. Overall it was a great sub sandwich and it’s super filling at 16 inches long.

Dino's is a complete gem. I have gotten their cheese steak, chicken cutlet parm, and meatball subs. Each is delicious and an excellent representation of the classic flavor profile. They are a good size and many people with a typical appetite could split a sub for lunch and be satisfied. One sub is basically two eight-inch subs. Their bread is a differentiator. When you eat it in the restaurant, it has a nice crust with a crispy exterior that feels like it could be shattered with a spoon. The interior has just the right amount of chew to make it feel toothsome and substantial while maintaining a texture that could still be described as light. One of the most interesting aspects of the bread is that it holds up well over time. You lose the crusty exterior but it holds up well. This leads me to my next point: picnics! There is an embarrassment of riches within ~50 feet of this place when it comes to grabbing a bite to eat and take with you to any green or blue space within a 30 minute walk (wharf, harbor walk, greenway, the commons, esplanade, etc.) The bread holds up well to transportation. The folks who work at Dino's care about the job that they do and produce a great product and customer experience whether eating in, taking out, or delivery. I'll have to force myself to try some of their pastas and seafood in the future, but my cravings so far have been too focused on their subs.

Fresh simplistic Italian food. The old school Italian guys were awesome to witness. The baked ziti was somehow light and so fresh. My husband's chicken Alfredo was to die for. I think I may have offended the guys that I couldn't eat more of my food. There was just so much to try and I really wasn't even hungry going in but wouldn't pass it up.

Came here on a Saturday evening and it was busy! Luckily we got a table but after we arrived, there were definitely people waiting outside for seating. We sat down and ordered quickly, and the service was FAST and friendly. They recognized our friends as regulars which was nice! Drinks are self serve so you can walk up to the fridges and take what you want - they will add the drinks to the bill at the end. Italian's Italian ($18) - the sandwiches here are HUGE. And there were reviews saying they were skinny but ours was both long and fat. The meats and veggies went perfectly together with oil and just the right amount of fat and heat. I'd absolutely get this sandwich or any of their other sandwiches again - it was so filling and delicious! Capellini Pomodoro ($19.95) - I wasn't as big of a fan of this one - the pasta was pretty normal and the sauce did have some nice herbs in it, but it felt a bit one dimensional to me. It's probably a lot better with a meatball or another topping, but $19.95 for pasta and red sauce was already a pretty steep price. I'd recommend getting another sandwich if you're a two person party because those are really worth it. There's also no bathroom in the restaurant, but the sandwiches are such a great deal I'd absolutely recommend coming here or getting a sandwich to go!

I had an amazing dinner at Dino's Cafe. My family and I wanted to eat in the North End, but with it being Friday night it was super crowded. We stumbled upon this place, and I'm so glad we did! I ordered the Fruitti di Mare pasta, and it was incredible - it was so fresh, flavorful, and the portion was extremely generous. My mom and sister ordered the chicken Parmesan, and they really enjoyed it. The place is quite small and has a casual diner vibe, but I think it's a really nice contrast to the surrounding elegant restaurants. In addition, it's very well priced. The service was great - our server was so friendly, and the food came out quick. I would definitely recommend this place - it's such a hidden gem!

We were in Boston for a few hours and our tour guide suggested we go to the North End. We walked the entire block & Dino's immediately stood out to us at the corner. My family and I shared an eggplant parm wedge & a chicken cutlet parm wedge. The owner was so welcoming & friendly. He cut the wedges for us to make it easy to share. What a nice establishment he has inside! Beautifully handwritten menu on the wall. He is eager to please! He does an incredible job and you should definitely pay him a visit.

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).

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.

Ordered chicken cutlet parm. The description on the menu says pan fried with sauce and mozzarella The photo from "owner" shows cheese. This is what mine looked like.

I can't recommend this place enough. Great service, the photos don't do it justice. The food was amazing! Great ambiance as well. North end has some great gems

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.

This place is good for subs but the pasta dishes were a bit disappointing. The Pasta Alfredo was bland and could only taste the cream. The gnocchi was overcooked & doughy. The staff is friendly and service is good.

Great place and solid food, if you are looking to get away from the crowds at the nearby larger Italian spots. The place is pretty small, but a good atmosphere!

Got the lobster pasta and Italian sandwich with my husband. It was delicious and service was great.

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!

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.

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.

Excellent food, great service and not overpriced. Ate there twice during our 4 day stay in Boy.

This place is a hidden gem located on Prince st across from Bova bakery. It's a cute restaurant that you can order from the counter. They have some yummy subs my favorite are following chicken pesto and the meatball sub pretty big giving you enough to save for left over for lunch or snack. The price point is pretty good, the people who work there make you feel like your family when you ordering.

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.

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!

Super happy with our order from Dino's. We were tired after a LONG day on the freedom trail, so we got our order to go, and even though it was delivered by someone on a BICYCLE, it was still hot when it arrived. The garlic bread disappeared before I even tried it, so I guess it was good. The gnocchi with creamy pesto was just ok. Four stars just because the frutti di mare was SO amazing. The sauce was spicy and the seafood was fresh. I would eat here again just for this dish.

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.

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.

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.

Awesome food and service at reasonable prices - and yes the subs are huge and beyond delicious. We've been back a few times for different ones each time all were great. The manager Lee knows everyone (could tell it's the type of place that's loved by local regulars in addition to tourists lucky enough to hear about it!)

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!!

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.

Meatball sub was delicious! Service great and atmosphere casual and enjoyable for lunch.

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!

Steak and cheese is amazing, all the pasta is fresh and very tasty, never a wait even on sporting events maybe 10 min max, bovas across st for desert, you can't beat it, fettuccine highly recommend

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.

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.

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

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!

From the minute we walked in the door the gentleman (I believe he was the owner) that greeted us was the nicest, most welcoming person. He talked to us and made us feel so at home. He personally took our orders and delivered them to our table. He talked to us and was just the nicest. Our food was delicious and the service was absolutely the best!! If we lived in Boston we would definitely frequent Dino's .

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!

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 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.

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.

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.

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.