Galleria Umberto is a beloved, cash-only gem in Boston's North End, serving up irresistible Sicilian-style pizza and legendary arancini until they inevitably sell out.
"Tip: Get to Galleria Umberto on the earlier side, because once it sells out of its Sicilian-style square slices and fist-sized arancini, the doors shut for the day. This is some of the best pizza in the city, or anywhere. This very casual spot is open for lunch Monday through Saturday. Cash only." - Erika Adams, Nathan Tavares, Tommy Ranucci
"This is the spot to stop at if you’re walking around town, have a couple of bucks in your pocket, and want some delicious pizza and incredible arancini. The Sicilian slices are just the right amount of thick with perfectly charred cheese, and the arancini could put on a TED Talk covering texture contrast with its crunch-to-gooey ratio. It’s cash only, and you should be prepared to eat off paper plates. Also, you’ll really want to have your order ready when you get to the counter—we’re not saying you’ll get a dirty look, but you’ll probably get a dirty look." - tanya edwards
"Galleria Umberto only sells one type of pizza. They make a limited number of their Sicilian-style pies every day, and once they sell out (and they always sell out) they close up shop, usually at around 2:30pm. If you only make a single type of pizza, it better be good, and luckily Umberto’s is exceptional, with a fluffy crust that supports a sea of red sauce and a humble layer of mozzarella. They also serve a variety of Italian street foods (also in limited quantities), like arancini with a hearty ragu center, deep-fried cheesy potato panzerotti, and calzones. The space is cavernous, owing to the restaurant's past life as a church and, later, as a tenement home, and while there’s a good amount of seating indoors, if it’s too packed you can grab a spot on a bench outside at the nearby Paul Revere Mall. " - lala thaddeus
"For a true North End experience, head to this casual Hanover Street spot, which is only open for lunch every day except Sunday, and closes as soon as they sell out. The lines are long but move quickly for the Sicilian slices and arancini — and that’s almost entirely the menu, plus beer and wine and a few other food items. Cash only. In 2018, the James Beard Foundation proclaimed it an “American classic.”" - Nathan Tavares, Tommy Ranucci, Eater Staff
"Umberto is a counter-service slice joint on Hanover that opens exactly at 10:45am and closes when they run out, which is usually around 12:30pm. They make thick, square Sicilian pies and nail the style—the crust is surprisingly light, and the sauce settles into the airy pockets, creating that perfect blend of bready, tomato goodness with just the right amount of cheese. The slices are also all around $2, making it the cheapest option on this list." - tanya edwards
