Isabella Restaurant
Restaurant · North End ·

Isabella Restaurant

Restaurant · North End ·

Authentic Italian fare, housemade pastas, romantic atmosphere

fresh pasta
reservations recommended
homemade pasta
frutti di mare
veal
small restaurant
intimate atmosphere
burrata
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null
Isabella Restaurant by null

Information

2 Prince St, Boston, MA 02113 Get directions

$20–30

See Menu
Restroom
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Dinner reservations recommended
Cozy

Information

Static Map

2 Prince St, Boston, MA 02113 Get directions

+1 617 227 7300
isabellasboston.com

$20–30 · Menu

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Dinner reservations recommended
•Cozy
•Trendy
•Family friendly

Last updated

Jan 14, 2026

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‘Top Chef’ Alum Mike Isabella Sued for Sexual Harassment | Eater

"The restaurant group named in the lawsuit is accused in court filings of fostering a work culture in which women generally do not reach higher management and where the plaintiff became the target of sex-based hostility; the firm has been defended by lawyers who note a high percentage of women among management and dispute the plaintiff’s account of events and the reasons for her departure." - Monica Burton

https://www.eater.com/2018/3/19/17139746/chef-mike-isabella-concepts-sued-sexual-harassment
Isabella Restaurant

Papi 3.

Google
Small family run place with a working man's feel. We felt a bit rushed by the head waiter. Pasta and sauces were very good. All homemade it seemed. I asked to spice up my pasta dish with red sauce and they must have spilled the red pepper in it. I'm from Texas with a very high tolerance for spice and could not eat but two bites. Lesson learned. Don't ask for flavors to he adjusted. My wife's Carbanara was divine. This won't be your high point of Italian on the North End, but still very worthy.

Farz T.

Google
Isabella truly made me feel like I was in Italy. From the moment I walked in, I felt so welcome. Chef Luise cooks with true love and passion — every single dish was full of flavors and layers that completely blew my mind. I took my time to savor every bite. Louisa, our waitress, was incredibly friendly, professional, and made us feel like family. The restaurant is cozy, romantic, and warm, and the food is absolutely to die for. I highly, highly recommend this place for anyone looking for an authentic Italian dining experience.

Brandon O.

Google
A great Italian restaurant in downtown Boston. We got 3 dishes, and all of them were really good, but their lobster ravioli was special. Perfect sauce, amazing lobster taste, great texture. The restaurant is pretty small and it gets packed at dinner time, so make a reservation, especially if you have a big group.

Lynn D.

Google
An excellent choice for a late lunch on a busy fall afternoon. We were seated within minutes of arrival. Service was prompt, professional, and friendly. Entree selections were varied for the 6 of us and included salads, appetizers, entrees, desserts and wine.

Max D.

Google
Small restaurant with very good food. The fresh pasta is so worth the trip over there. The staff is so friendly and helpful. The choices of wine leave a lot to the imagination. I would go bsck just for the sauce, let alone the delicious pasta. Highly recommend!

Sara C.

Google
My partner (who's Italian) and I came here after seeing so many good reviews. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to the expectations. They brought us bread with olive oil to start, but the oil had no flavor and looked almost clear, not what you'd expect from quality olive oil. The calamari tasted like they were frozen and just double-fried to heat them up... I had the lobster ravioli, one of their supposed specialties, but it was bland and only tasted of the sauce. My partner's risotto was okay, nothing more. Service was average, and overall the quality didn't match the price at all. We understand it's Boston's Italian district and prices are high, but it really wasn't worth it.

Angelo S.

Google
Had an absolutely delicious meal here with friends on a busy Saturday night. We made our reservations a few days ahead and we're glad that we did so. The tables were full during our entire dinner and when a group got up to leave the staff swooped in and changed the table for the next group of people to sit down and enjoy the deliciousness. Our meal was expertly prepared and I opted for the veal special (I would call it a veal rotini - veal sliced and rolled around vegetables, cooked and then slice before putting on the plate) and it was delicious! Their wine selection was very good and a solid selection of single-glass options. Wait staff was good - engaging, got the orders correct and gave really good service to the table. If you are in Boston looking for a night out make a reservation here.

Aleksandra K.

Google
A cozy place with a nice atmosphere. Unfortunately, the food was a bit disappointing – the carbonara was completely average, and the lobster ravioli didn’t live up to its price. We could barely taste any lobster at all. Luckily, we didn’t have to wait long for a table around 3 PM. Honestly, after reading so many great reviews, I was expecting something more.
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Laura L.

Yelp
10/10. If I could give this place more than 5 stars, I would!! This cozy spot is extremely underrated but right in the heart of North End. I visited this place with my family about 2 years ago and remember it being delicious, so I had to come back again with my boyfriend to make sure it wasn't a fluke. It was just as delicious as I remembered it, but even better. The interior is beautiful with the dim lighting, and it does get a little cramped because it is a smaller restaurant, but it makes the ambiance even more cozy. We ordered their calamari and roasted clams for appetizers and my goodness. The calamari came out piping hot and had a beautiful light crispy batter and tender squid. When paired with the sweet marinara, it was perfect. The clams were soooo delicious. They're cooked in a garlicky white wine and lemon sauce and it was everything you would ever want and more. Our main courses of that night were lobster ravioli and fettuccini alfredo. Both pastas came out hot and cooked perfectly. The ravioli was filled with lobster and cheese and it was perfect. Don't forget to save extra pieces of bread to dip in your leftover pasta sauce! They do not skimp out on the sauce! Oh and for drinks, we got an aperol spritz and a limoncello martini. Both were sweet and refreshing! The servers are so sweet and so patient. The service was fast, they check up on you often, and they even have my boyfriend and I limoncello shots on the house. They also offered extra bread to eat with our leftover sauces, but at that point we were so full. Every time I visit Boston, I will always go to this place for an amazing Italian dinner experience and I hope you all do too! Service was amazing
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Jen V.

Yelp
The table bread was not warm and didn't appear to be fresh. The parmesan cheese and olive oil were in TINY plastic portioned out cups. Not a great start and odd for an expensive restaurant. App: The bruschetta bread was wet with water from the tomatoes- no basil? Eggplant parm was decent. Pasta was not freshly made. In and out in less than 45 min- felt rushed. The restaurant ambiance is nice - but the front door has curtains to block the wind/ cold and it blows cold air through the first few tables near the door. $200 dollars later- wish we did our research to eat in a better restaurant in the North End. Super disappointed in our first time experience in this area. This place has potential but needs some attention to details.
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Keith B.

Yelp
We certainly enjoyed our meal but was it our favorite, no. Flew in from S Florida and was super excited to get back to the north end. Reservations at 7, only had to wait a few minutes. Place is small (as many are). Our waiter had a bit of 'tude so there was that. He made us order all at once like a cruise ship. *2 glasses wine * 2 sodas *Caesar Salad *Chicken Marsala. It was small. Certainly, the highlight of the meal, it was very good, we just wish it was larger. *Steak dish: Beef Tenderloin w Porcini mushrooms on special that night. Medium rare which came out perhaps a bit more on the rare side. *Tagliatelle bolognese: It was good but not amazing; This shoudl have been the dish to beat as it was a 'comfort food', but fell short for us. Out the door was $182. Would I go back, not sure as we had a better meal later in the week, and so many other places to try.
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Tes H.

Yelp
Easily the best Italian food in Boston and honestly some of the best I've ever had. The carbonara was silky, rich, and absolutely perfect- the kind of dish that makes you pause mid-bite. The staff was unapologetically rude, but in a way that somehow made it feel even more authentic, like I'd been temporarily transported to a tiny Roman trattoria. No nonsense, no hand-holding, just unreal food served with attitude. Would go back in a heartbeat and happily be judged again for ordering the same thing.
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Natacha F.

Yelp
Managed to get a reservation for the same day. Upon arriving to the restaurant, there was a TINY table in the window next to the door and I had great fear that we would be sat there with only a thin black fabric between one of us and the open doorway on a very cold night in Boston. My fears were for nothing. We received a warm greeting and asked which table we wanted. THAT table should be saved for those without reservations IMHO. Anyway, the interior is small but nicely decorated. Our server was attentive and friendly. We ordered the bruschetta, cheese ravioli and chicken parmigiana. The bruschetta was delicious although the bread could have been a tiny bit crispier to hold up to the tomatoes. The ravioli were pure perfection as was the chicken parmigiana. The ravioli had nice filling and were perfectly tender in a delicious red sauce. The chicken parmigiana was tender and crispy under the perfect amount of sauce and mozzarella. We left too full for any dessert. We tried another place in the north end the next night and it could not compare. We regretted not coming back here. Next time I'm in Boston, I'll be back!
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Stephanie P.

Yelp
Delicious food, cozy ambiance. A group of 6 of us got dinner and all loved our meals. The fresh bread was great. Started with calamari and mussels, both were crowd pleasers. We got a variety of mains (porcini mushroom ravioli special, chicken Marsala, scallop risotto special, gnocchi, lamb ragu) and all cleared our plates. Tiramisu and espresso martinis for dessert were the perfect end to the meal. Service was great. Highly recommend!
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Helen T.

Yelp
Isabella in Boston has quickly become one of our favorite go-to spots, and every visit reminds us why. The food is consistently delicious, portions are generous, and the flavors are spot-on every single time. We ordered the bolognese with tagliatelle, and it was incredible -- rich, slow-simmered sauce that clings perfectly to the fresh pasta. The kids devoured their plates (and these were huge portions!), which says everything you need to know. The lobster ravioli was another standout -- silky pasta pockets filled with sweet lobster, finished in a beautifully balanced cream sauce. Absolutely decadent without being too heavy. Their meatballs are tender, well-seasoned, and full of classic comfort, and the calamari is crisp, light, and not greasy at all -- just how good calamari should be. And to end the night, the tiramisu was perfection: creamy, not too sweet, with just the right hit of espresso. A must-order. Service is warm, the atmosphere is cozy, and everything feels made with care. Isabella delivers every time, and we always leave happy and planning our next visit. Highly recommend!
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Bill Z.

Yelp
Any time I've dined in a restaurant on a side street in the North End, I've felt as if I've gone off the beaten path - it has always been quieter, a bit more zen, a little bit more to yourself rather than heavily interacting with the folks there. That was the case at Isabella as well. It's not a bad thing, it can add to your enjoyment of your meal. We were fortunate that we could be squeezed in without a reservation on a Friday early evening, but told we'd need to be out by a certain time, which wasn't an issue at all. The drink selection is small, no doubt to what I perceived as a limited amount of alcohol on the shelves. That was more than made up for by the wines available. Water and fresh bread came out quickly, including ramekins of olive oil and grated Parmesan cheese. We ordered the Mozzarella Caprese as an appetizer, which also came out quickly. But we were scratching our heads when we saw it was just tomatoes and cheese and a few dustings of dried basil flakes instead of fresh basil. When we asked our waiter about that, he mumbled something about customers not liking the flavor... not really buying that, but yeah it does say Mozzarella Caprese instead of Caprese Salad. No issues with our dinners. The vodka cream sauce on my chicken cutlet and spinach dish was terrific. The other dinner, salmon piccata, was equally tasty, the salmon was cooked perfectly. Isabella is a nice choice for a good dinner with fast service in a low key atmosphere.
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Reshonda S.

Yelp
This is a very small, but romantic restaurant. My partner and I were seeking an authentic Italian spot and went to the "Little Italy" area. I'm not a local, so I'm not sure how authentic the area's restaurants are but the food was good. It could use more seasoning (not sure if thats a personal preference, but everything tastes fresh; yet bland). The service could use some work. Upon entering, a man rushes over to say 'hurry and close the door.' There's no host area when you enter, just people eating; the restaurant is a small room, with long glass windows, that fits about 10 tables. It's a bit confusing for people just aiming to walk-in or stop by for dinner. Rather than the employees running to close the door like we're being reprimanded at granny's to keep the door shut, I'd recommend a "reservations only" sign on the door or perhaps place a host outside to greet guests. It'd help with avoiding guests starting off on a negative note. For the rest of the evening, our waitress and service was fine.
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Kit D.

Yelp
What a nice Italian restaurant! This place has such a romantic, family atmosphere to it. Truly felt like I was somewhere in Italy. My girlfriend & I made a reservation a few days in advance for a romantic date lunch. We were running a few minutes late to our reservation the day of, but called the restaurant and the host was very friendly and accommodating - they held our table for 15 minutes. When we got there, were seated right away and were served bread with fresh olive oil. The bread was warm and the oil was very tasty, but the complimentary portion was a bit small - we weren't sure if it was socially acceptable to ask for more LOL! To start off, we ordered the burrata appetizer, which was absolutely delicious. The burrata was super fresh and was served over prosciutto which was very tasty. The only thing I think that could've made it better was if they served it with something to dip it in, perhaps some more warm bread. For our entrees, I ordered my favorite chicken parmigiana, and my girlfriend ordered a sausage pasta veggie dish. Chicken parm was good - the portion size was perfect. Two pieces of chicken with melted mozzarella cheese over it, which tasted amazing. Their homemade sauce was really tasty as well and was very light. The penne pasta was pretty good, though I think it would've been even better cooked a bit more al dente. My girlfriend's pasta dish was very good as well and super colorful. The sausage was nice and not too overpowering, and the buttered penne itself was tasty. Overall, this is a 10/10 spot for any occasion, date night, or family lunch. Definitely one of my new favorites in the North End!
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George D.

Yelp
We took an Uber over to the North End specifically to go to Isabella. It was a wise choice. We went in around 2pm so it was not busy. Very quiet. They have maybe 10-12 tables? I bet this place is hard to get into at dinner. Service was quick. The staff seemed to all be Italian with their wonderful accents. They start you with fresh bread that is warm from the oven with olive oil and fresh grated parm. So damn good. We were not looking for a heavy meal. We ordered the meatball appetizer and the bruschetta. Both were excellent. The meatballs were a combination of pork and beef. Highly recommend.
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Risa B.

Yelp
Isabella is a cute, small restaurant in the north end-- It maybe had 10 tables all of which were filled. Our server was ok, as we felt a little rushed. We like to enjoy our dinner and have it spaced out so we prefer to order things separately. Our waiter told us we had to order everything all at once and that it would come out separately. But after we ordered, he said, do you want it all out at the same time? I wasn't sure if he was talking about the salad and the entrées or if he was talking about just the different entrées, but it just seemed like an odd question given what I had just requested. The four of us had a Caesar salad to share, then split three entrées...the tagliatelle Bolognese, a beef tenderloin with porcini mushrooms, and the chicken marsala. Our favorite was the marsala, but felt the portion was small compared to the other two entrées. Expect North end pricing.
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Alexa M.

Yelp
My soul felt fed after coming here lol. Everything was sooo good. The lamb ragu pasta dish is incredible. I would say make a reservation if you can because it's a smaller restaurant. Very very cute and enjoyable meal. They also have a very extensive wine list.
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Jason F.

Yelp
Ended up here because the other place we tried was booked. Not at all disappointed. Service was perfectly attentive. Seated almost immediately in a nice and quiet small intimate dining room. Was wonderful to have a conversation at a normal volume. Ravioli Di Ricotta was a crowd pleaser. Tagliatelle and Porcini was w wonderfully rich cream sauce. Overall heavenly experience.

Greg H.

Yelp
Last minute walk in decision with friends for lunch. This place did not disappoint and everything from the Bruschetta to the lunch specials were exceptiona. It's a very intimate and casual atmosphere like eating at your family's house. Service was excellent and the staff was very friendly and fun. Highly recommend this place if you're in the North End and want an amazing meal.
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Denise M.

Yelp
This was our last mail in Boston and we decided to go to the North End for Italian. We wander around looking at menus and decided on this place just us the square of the Catholic church. It looks pretty full but it did have a couple of empty tables so we stopped in. He asked if we had reservations, which of course, we did not. After two people compare their reservation list, they managed to squeeze us in in the corner. As I watch the door I saw them turning away parties, except for the few that looked out and came just at the right time that another party left. Apparently this place is very popular It's kind of small, although they managed to fit a lot of tables in there. Tables are covered with white tablecloths topped with white paper. On one wall just above the tables it is completely made of wine racks full of wine. The other walls were plain with just framed prints. The bathrooms are located at the bottom of steep stairs, so I would say this is not necessarily ADA friendly, but these are old buildings and most places probably are not. Our server came right away and brought water. She gave us a few minutes to look over the menu and we ordered: *Limoncello martinis *Calamari with cherry peppers *Veal parmigiana *Spaghetti with meatballs in arabiatta Everything was absolutely delicious. Did raviata was so delicious and chunky and spicy and the meatballs (four of them) were huge. In fact, All the portions were huge. I definitely recommend this place, but I also recommend a reservation, especially if you were going on a Sunday afternoon. I think there are a lot of the after church crowd and just plain tourists mixed in with the locals. This place definitely seems to be in demand.
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Judy H.

Yelp
The restaurant is super small so definitely grab a reservation otherwise you're not getting in. The entrance is set up kinda wonky and we weren't seated until our full party was in. Service was a little gruff, but we got what we ordered and that was good enough. The food - it was pretty good. But I don't think it was mindblowing or really that memorable. I think some of the other places I've tried around the North End were definitely better. My friend and I split a chicken Parm (really nice that they actually just split it into two plates for us on serving) We got the risotto special as an app along with meatballs and some other items. Overall, I liked having tried it once, but I'm not sure I'd come back despite all the rave reviews everyone else gave.
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Julie W.

Yelp
We went here on a Wednesday evening. It's a small restaurant with no outdoor seating. They do have fans in the ceiling. Open Table's earliest available table was 8 pm so we decided to see if there was a wait for walk in. They were able to seat us right away with no reservations at 5:30 but they were going to need the table by 7 pm. We usually don't have veal in California so plentiful as Boston. The veal parmesan and saltimbocca were very tender here and both dishes had a great flavor. The calamari was not overly chewy and the marinara sauce was good. Their gnocchi was home made and they had no ridges to hold the sauce. The gnocchi amatriciana had Italian pancetta, onions and San marzano tomatoes. Flavor was good and they did not get soggy by the end of the meal. The chocolate dish for dessert was just right for sharing and just enough for 3 to get a taste. We would come back if we were in the neighborhood.

Kelly T.

Yelp
Such a cute little slice of the North End! Great food from start to finish and our server was very attentive on a busy Friday night. Food was excellent, quick and tasty!
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Kent B.

Yelp
Tremendous! Incredible food. Quick and friendly service. Traditional Italian restaurant vibe. Very intimate setting. Great spot for a date night. In the middle of the historic North End. Can't wait to return. I had the Lobster Ravioli which was superior to any ravioli dish I've had.
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R K.

Yelp
If you're looking for Italian seafood this is a great place. It's small tables are closed very cozy though. Everyone's super nice focused. Prices are very reasonable. I highly recommend this restaurant as one of your choices in the north side of Boston
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Michael C.

Yelp
I know my review is going to be a bit different as I am hopeful it was just a bad night. We started off with fried calamari and it was bland and lacking taste. My daughter had Penna ala Vodka with chicken and it was average. I had their Veal special and it was good but nothing to brag about. We also had a side of Broccoli Rabe and it was very undercooked. The place small and loud but that was fine. Won't rush back... Sorry
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Nicole W.

Yelp
Great food, really good portion sizes, reasonable prices. Love the vibes and the whole area of Little Italy!

Jacklynn O.

Yelp
Food and service were amazing! Still thinking about the Shrimp pasta I had and the espresso martini.
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Lily G.

Yelp
Service was great, food was great. Not the best gnocchi in the north end but a solid 9/10. Will go back!! Pesto was really nice and the burrata was delicious. We got a Chardonnay split 3 ways and that was also delicious. Bathroom is not handicap accessible and is down a flight of stairs.
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Amber H.

Yelp
Wow. Just wow! Service was wonderful. The meatballs were so flavorful and shockingly light. And the Marsala chicken over risotto was to die for. The food was very fresh and served piping hot- just how I like it! Will be back next time I'm in the area!
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Jeff J.

Yelp
Been experiencing string of disappointments w dining in North End of late. Met up w buddy at spur of moment and lucked out w no wait walk in dining. Wanted to get the branzino but the waiter stated the frutti di mare was better and "chef's favorite" so went w his suggestion. The dish was a lack luster disappointment the squid was under cooked and the overall dish was bland and lacking the seafood umami. The linguini was not al dente but might ad well giving the blandness of the sauce/broth. We also overheard table next to us complaining to the staff her salmon was fishy On the plus side my buddy said his chicken parm was perfect
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Courtney E.

Yelp
Wow, what an experience! Isabella's is a small restaurant around the corner of Paul Revere's house. Inside there are a couple of tables with limited seating, so a reservation is recommended to ensure being seated. Our server, who served every table, was very knowledgeable of the menu and truly a great representation of the restaurant. Our table ordered a few of the appetizers - antipasto, meatballs, and calamari. I don't like seafood, but the calamari smelled amazing! I ordered the tagliatelle bolognese and it was incredible. Well cooked noodles withy meaty ragu sauce and a few spoonfuls of fresh Parmesan from the table. Absolutely perfect. We didn't order dessert, but I'm sure it wouldn't have disappointed. If you want to raise your expectations for Italian restaurants, visit Isabella's. A small but mighty restaurant whose food you'll never forget.
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Paul C.

Yelp
Last minute cancellation got us in on a Saturday night party of 8. Service was spot on and the food was authentic, delicious and hot out of the kitchen. Highly recommend.
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Eve Neider N.

Yelp
This is a really cute, small restaurant in the north end! The place is really tight, so it wouldn't be great for someone in a wheelchair or bringing kids. They take reservations so i recommend making them. The bread in the beginning was really good, I would prefer a bottle of olive oil than a small cup of it. The service was very fast. We split the burrata app, it was good but I think it was overpriced. I got the eggplant parm which was really good and not too heavy or fried but I wish I got more pasta on the side. My friend liked her gnocchi and it was also light and the sauce was flavorful.

Aron C.

Yelp
A bunch of us decided to do dinner at this very small restaurant before an event. We started with a couple of appetizers (house antipasto n calamari). Yummy!!! I had the frutti di mare. The linguine was cooked perfectly al dente. So good. My friends loved their Pasta. Overall, it was a good meal, reasonably priced and good service. I do recommend that you make a reservation.
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Marc H.

Yelp
We stopped by Isabella around 5:45 P.M. on a Saturday after reading the Yelp! review. Martin, the Maitre'd met us at the door, and even though we didn't have a reservation, he said if we could wait just a bit, he would seat us in the window table. Within about 15-20 minutes, he had us seated in a two top right in the window next to the door. Our server was helpful and quick. He recommended a good wine and took our order: Spaghetti Arrabbiata with meatballs and Gnocchi Pesto. Our orders came out so quickly. We may have waited 5-10 minutes. The spaghetti arrabbiata was a perfect spicy flavor. The four meatballs were tasty and everything was piping hot. My wife loved her gnocchi. She found them to be fresh and light. The server told us all of the sauces and pastas are made in house. A wonderful experience. You usually need a reservation to eat here so don't be surprised if you are turned away without one, but if you get there early, you might have some luck getting in if you are nice to Martin and have some patience.
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Maliha A.

Yelp
Horrible owner horrible service. Food is decent but everything else is subpar. I don't understand how this owner is even allowed to run a business with his obnoxious and rude him and his staff are
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Victoria E.

Yelp
We enjoyed this place in general. It gets very busy so be sure to make a reservation if possible. We made ours for 7:30 by calling the restaurant for 3 people. When we arrived there was a guy standing inside the door to whom we told we have a reservation and our name. He asked if we called and seemed a little caught off guard but seated us anyway. The service was good and the food was nice. I had the lamb ragu with (house made) tagliatelle, gnocchi (house made) and veal parm. I enjoyed the ragu- the lamb was flavorful and the pasta had a nice texture. The gnocchi was fluffy and the veal parm looked great. The restaurant itself was small and intimate, but felt comfortable. I did feel like I wish I had dressed slightly less casually but I don't think it was a necessity.
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Rob H.

Yelp
Isabella is a great place. Five of us ate here based on the Yelp reviews and we all had great meals. Our only down fall was our waiter was just average at best. We had to ask for everything from bread, drinks, refills and for him to clear the table. However this doesn't cloud the fact that the food was great and the ambiance was very close to eating in Italy. The prices ranged from $22 for pasta to $45 for the special of scallops over risotto. Isabella is a small place with wooden tables and you definitely need a reservation.
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Pablo R.

Yelp
The food was super fast to come out and sat down with a reservation easily. It's a smaller so having the reservation really helped because the restaurant is very busy. The decor is pretty standard but updated. The food was amazing. Best meal I had in Boston. The bread, drinks, and apps were all great. Then the pasta came and I was in heaven. We ordered a variety of pastas and they were all very delicious! Would definitely recommend!
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Michael J.

Yelp
Quaint little hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant that you should be looking up when you're in town. Warm and inviting staff and atmosphere with some outstanding Italian food. The gnocchi was insanely good and the daily special scallops risotto was amazing. And, surprisingly, the app of Bruschetta was a shock. So simple but just a flavor bomb of basil garlic and fresh tomatoes. Finish it off with Affogato: ice cream drowned in espresso. Yeah, that's what I thought and then I had it. Delicious! Go to Boston, eat at Isabella's!! Highly, HIGHLY Recommended!
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Jason H.

Yelp
My wife had heard good things about them, and after eating there, I agree. My wife had the Tagliatelle Bolognese. She thought the sauce was great and the pasta was cooked perfect. I love gnocchi, so I tried the Gnocchi Amatriciana. The sauce was awesome! Great flavor. Both of the dishes were big portions, especially for the money, so we were full when we left. The staff did a great job answering questions and taking care of everyone, considering the lunch rush. The place is small, but it never got loud. Since it is small, it does seem cramped. It would be nice if they removed a table or two, especially the one immediately inside the door. I wish the drink menu would have included a Negroni, or some common cocktails for before dinner.
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Noah L.

Yelp
Nice refined ambiance. Started with the calamari, was freshly fried but not that flavorful. Also had chicken Parmesan and Tagliatelle Bolognese. Both were ok but not particularly good or flavorful. The tagliatelle was a little overcooked. The vodka sauce was tasty but nothing exceptional. Prices were decent for downtown touristy area and service was good, and this is definitely a cute restaurant. However, I was expecting a lot more taste wise given the other reviews.
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Meghan K.

Yelp
3.5 stars! My significant other and I came tonight (Monday) with a 5 pm reservation. Upon walking in there were a couple of tables seated and we were seated immediately. It's a small space off Hanover, but we enjoyed the intimate atmosphere. We had bread with dipping oil, meatballs, fettuccine alfredo, and cheese ravioli. The bread was fresh but we prefer it to be warmed. The meatballs were excellent, great flavor and the sauce was delicious! Dipping the bread in the sauce was also scrumptious. My significant other said his alfredo was good, he said it was a little thinner than other alfredo sauces. He also said it lacked a bit of flavor, but despite these critiques he finished the whole plate. My ravioli was really good and fresh, but a little too al dente for my liking. Our waiter was great from the moment we walked in. He was friendly, professional, and attentive. I would definitely come back to try some other dishes!
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D K.

Yelp
Work trip to Boston. North End is always a great place to dine. Tried this place. Good food, service was great. Got the Linguine with clams in a spicy red sauce. It was very good. Only thing was I wished the pasta was a little Al dente. Other than that it was delicious. Had a good kick to it. Wife had the seafood pasta. She liked it. Check this place out.
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April N.

Yelp
We were the first ones in for lunch at this place. Overall, the service was average, a little distracted. The table bread was excellent. Shared the Burrata cheese plate and the Tagliatelle Bolognese. The cheese plate was OK. The Bolognese was delicious. The pasta taste homemade. It was a molto al dente. I actually prefer my pasta to be a little over al dente, but because it was homemade the bounce of the noodle really made up for it. The dish was delicious.
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Leslie C.

Yelp
Yummy italian food in the north end at this cozy little restaurant. Be sure to make a reservation as they fill up. Good service a tad pricey but worth it. We ordered the arugula salad to share, the chicken penne with vodka sauce and the chicken piccata. Portions were generous and everything was delicious. Chicken was tender and flavorful and the pasta was perfectly cooked. Highly recommend Isabella!!
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Steve Nash M.

Yelp
What a great time. The Veal Parm and Muscles are amazing! Really great service too. Would come again!
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Cori F.

Yelp
This was a pretty good restaurant with some of our dishes being delicious and some being okay! We'd come back again if we were ever in Boston, though. The Linguine Frutti di Mari was amazing, and the gnocchi pesto was also really good! The spaghetti carbonara was good once we put some salt and some Parmesan on, but it was lacking flavor - as was the fettuccini Alfredo.
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Samantha S.

Yelp
Absolutely delicious!! Service was excellent, and the vibe was so cozy!! Make sure to make a reservation!
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Shalin P.

Yelp
We had a terrific lunch at Isabella. While it is quite small, the good news is they take reservations. We started out with a nice bread basket, and some terrific burrata. For entrees, I had the fantastic penne with sausage and garlic. The sausage was cut into rounds and sauteed to a nice crisp. I love sausage pastas, and this was one of the best ones I've had. The rest of the group enjoyed their vodka penne, and the kid's alfredo and butter pastas. The only dish that wasn't a hit was the pasta primavera. The service was great also. I would definitely come back.
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Nik H.

Yelp
A truly great place for a meal. Small and quiet but not too cramped. The service was great. Our server was very helpful and very pleasant. The food was really innovative and d excellent. The burrata to start with cured meat was fantastic. My wife had mushroom ravioli and she loved it. My daughter had a lamb ragu that was very flavorful. I had a rolled veal special that was stuffed with veggies. It was amazing!! Give this place a try when you're next visiting the North End

Lawrence D.

Yelp
The veal parmigiana and eggplant parmigiana were fantastic. Service for lunch was fast And Efficient. Highly recommend this restaurant if you are looking for excellent Italian in the north end.