Ristorante Saraceno - Boston

Italian restaurant · North End

Ristorante Saraceno - Boston

Italian restaurant · North End

1

286 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

Photos

Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null
Ristorante Saraceno - Boston by null

Highlights

Classic Italian fare with old-world charm & rooftop dining  

Placeholder
Placeholder

286 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113 Get directions

saracenonorthend.com
@ristorantesaraceno

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

Information

Static Map

286 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113 Get directions

+1 617 227 5353
saracenonorthend.com
@ristorantesaraceno

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

Features

Tap to pay

Last updated

Aug 8, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@eater

The Boston Area’s Best Bars For Memorial Day Chardonnay | Eater

"Ristorante Saraceno is just about as classic as they come. The upscale Neapolitan restaurant in Boston’s North End is filled with cozy corners, hanging vines, vibrant paintings, and marble statues that transport you to the Mediterranean. Sip on a bottle of chardonnay while sampling an antipasti platter, fried calamari, or baked clams." - Molly McDonough

https://www.eater.com/ad/maps/the-boston-areas-best-bars-for-memorial-day-wines
View Postcard for Ristorante Saraceno - Boston

august west

Google
We arrived around 4pm to an empty restaurant . At first glance we saw the sign that was certainly a relic and almost gave us second thoughts . We were greeted by a very personable Hostess/ waitress and she seated us immediately right in the small front window area that contains two small tables. Let the people watching begin! We ordered a Couple of delicious Moretti Lager beers and were served ice water and bread along with freshly grated cheese and olive oil , both family style. The bread was crusty with a soft almost sour dough interior and the olive oil was just amazing! A beautiful imported extra virgin oil with a dense appearance and that beautiful first cold pressed color . The grated cheese was fresh too! Perhaps a Parmigiano Reggiano but I forgot to ask- no need to ask for cheese ever it is amply supplied for the table. We started with fried calamari . This was the best fried calamari we had ever eaten. A Simple light coating and fried perfectly tender in fresh oil . The tomato sauce on the side was balanced and not overpowering . I also tried the olive oil and lemon which took the pristine calamari to another level of greatness. For entrees we ordered the Veal Parmigiana and the Spaghetti with white clam sauce . Both entrees were excellent! The veal is fork tender and the clam sauce was surreal account my wife , a self proclaimed clam sauce expert. Dipping bread in the fresh clam sauce also prolonged the enjoyment. Overall , Saraceno is a classic old school Italian restaurant that sticks with the basics done well. Service is great , the owner is an authentic old school hard working hands on presence in the restaurant too! We will be back asap many times. As we got ready to leave the crowds descended upon Saraceno , obviously a well known dinner spot.

Tamas Bakos AC

Google
Good Italian restaurant, I was expecting a wider assortment on the menu. The food was fresh and quickly served. The signer was talented, booking is recommended.

Jessica Legrand

Google
Lovely place, owner was getting people. We had five people in our party and we all enjoyed our meals. It did get a little noisy later but we were happy with it

Mohammad Jazayeri

Google
It's as simple as: everything is awesome here❤️ The food was perfect with a very reasonable pricing. Staff were the best in our trip to Boston. I will surely try it again in the future.

John Bruysschaard

Google
We had reservations for 7 at 7:30, we were a little early and they sat our party. Once we were sat is when the issues started. We were in the bottom 3rd floor basement, the space was great. We all felt invisible. Took them 15 min to get us menus. Another 15 to get drink orders and another 10 to get food order. Then it was 20 minutes before we got our food. The food was good, all enjoyed the dish. Our waiter was not friendly, and could not split up the check, once we finished eating it took another 20 minutes to get the check after we ask for it several times.

Ozzy Simoes

Google
Newly renovated, what was Bela Vista Ristorante before. We were walking around looking for a different place to dine and were attracted by the modern look, with colorful LED lighting and bright decor. Looks like they decided to break the mold from the dim, dark typical North End decor. Service was great, food was excellent, and the prices are average for North End restaurants.

Adriana Perez

Google
This restaurant was not great! I'm not really sure where all the super reviews come from. The food was just ok and the service was average. The place was completely dark when we arrived so for a second I even thought it was close. We were the only people there and the food took forever to come out. Everything was overpriced too. I do not recommend this place. I'm sure there are far better places in the North End.

Owen Caulfield

Google
The food was great and the service was very nice and quick. Beautiful interior and atmosphere. However, I order the veal dish with prosciutto and mozzarella, which tasted delicious but the portion size was absolutely pathetic. I was given two tiny pieces of veal with literally three potatoes and three pieces of broccoli. I’m not exaggerating, those were the exact portion sizes. A paid 29 dollars for a meal that would literally be too small for the kids menu. It was shameful for any restaurant that calls itself Italian. That being said, I don’t know if tiny portion sizes apply to all meals, but this was simply my experience. I wish this restaurant nothing but the best. The workers were very nice and it seemed like a genuinely authentic restaurant. But if you plan on leaving feeling someone satiated, don’t get the veal.
google avatar

Stephanie C.

Yelp
Dining at Ristorante Saraceno felt like being transported straight to Italy. The food was phenomenal--but what truly made the night unforgettable was the live opera singer. Yes, you read that right. In the middle of an incredible meal, the restaurant was filled with the rich, powerful voice of an opera singer performing classic Italian arias. It was goosebumps good--like something out of a movie. As for the food: flawless. The pasta was fresh and homemade, the seafood was perfectly cooked, and every sauce was rich, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and made sure the experience felt both special and comfortable. If you're in Boston's North End and want more than just a meal--something romantic, soulful, and genuinely memorable--Saraceno is the place. I'll be talking about this night for a long time.
google avatar

Kellie F.

Yelp
Booked this on a fluke after the marathon. Restaurant was really cozy, staff were accommodating and menu was impressive. We ordered a bottle of wine to share at a great price. The bread baskets just kept coming during dinner. Our table was full of veal, eggplant and chicken Parm's and all were delicious.
google avatar

Kimberly C.

Yelp
Genuine Italian feel, but not genuine Italian taste. Everything was quite overpriced, particularly the wine ($50 for a mediocre bottle of Sauvignon Blanc). The food tasted good, but nothing to write home about; I'd say comparable to Olive Garden. The best part of the experience was the service. We were greeted by a friendly Italian man and shown to our table; we were able to be seated quickly without a reservation on a Wednesday evening. Our server was very nice, and the busser didn't appear to speak English, just further creating an genuine Italian atmosphere. With so many Italian restaurants on that street, I'd recommend opting for a different one.
google avatar

Gelene J.

Yelp
I really enjoyed this Italian restaurant. To start, I ordered a Moscato--I'm not a fan of bitter wine. The bread was brought to our table quickly, and the service was excellent. The restaurant has two levels, and they seated us on the upper level, which was a bit tight on space. The food was fantastic and arrived piping hot, with steam rising from the dishes. Overall, it's a great spot--just maybe not the best choice on a night when the Bruins are playing!
google avatar

Kiran V.

Yelp
Saraceno has become my go to spot in the North End especially when i have guests in town! The tortellini al formaggio is my absolute favorite and i get it without fail. I've also started trying the mushrooms as a starter and the garlicky butter sauce that they're cooked in goes fantastic with the bread they give you. If you go on a weekend evening, you will likely be treated to musicians singing as well which really completes the Italian experience. Love!!
google avatar

Patrick D.

Yelp
We had a delightful experience at Saraceno welcomed by Franco el capo di capi when it comes to knowledge of Italian pasta. My wife and I dropped off our son to College and wanted to celebrate the event going to one of the very best Italian in the North End. We were not disappointed. We started with two Proseccos then a some fried calamari. I love the tagliatelle con Sarde. They made it with a tomato based fragrant sauce with onions, fennel, raisins, pine nuts, anchovies, sardines, and olive oil. I was absolutely perfect. The pasta a la vongole with white wine was also to die for. Service was very pleasant and attentive. The atmosphere was the best as we were sitting in the front spoke to everyone around us who were all natives from Boston and returning customers. The food was amazing. We will be back! Mille grazie Franko!
google avatar

Rudy M.

Yelp
I heard many positive things about this place from my colleagues. So, here I am!! It was bad timing , however, they have a construction work, so some of the space is occupied with stuffs. I ordered their frittura di calamari and pasta alla vongole. I swapped the spaghetti with linguine and surprisingly server was accommodating my request. Will definitely return here in the future.
google avatar

Mara L.

Yelp
I had a great dining experience despite the initial hesitation! The Gamberi Alla Carbonara being al dente and delicious was a great sign of quality, and it's awesome that the portion sizes were reasonable. My family's choices-Fettuccine Alfredo, Gnocchi Alla Napolitana which my daughter founded delicious and Eggplant Parmesan- all plates were very tasty and good generous portions . It's always a nice surprise when a restaurant exceeds expectations, especially when reviews are mixed. Service was prompt. All around I will visit this restaurant if in the area next time.
google avatar

Janna H.

Yelp
A cute gem in the North End! We ended up here after seeing the long line at our original spot, and I'm so glad we skipped the wait. The place has a cozy, heartwarming vibe. The food was generally delicious--hearty and filling--but nothing particularly stood out.
google avatar

Pam D.

Yelp
We had a reservation and did request a nice table with a good view. When we arrived a waiter waved us to wait. Then a gentleman came to get us and ushered us down what seemed to be 3 flights. Not sure why we needed a reservation as no one checked us or spoke a word to us. It was a bit odd. We were then seated near the door at the kitchen entrance which I wasn't very keen on. My prosecco tasted like sparkling water and the Chianti was basic. The bread was good. I was a bit underwhelmed so we cancelled our meal to go elsewhere. The server was very accommodating and they comped our drinks, which is very good business. We did tip the server nicely. I can't comment on the food; I'm sure it's good as the restaurant was packed.

J M.

Yelp
While walking the North End we met Frank in the doorway of Saraceno and he invited us in. We returned for late lunch and it was perfect. We had the Zuppa de Pesca, abundant with lobster, clams, mussels, octopus in a delicious broth. Frank stopped by the greet us and we felt like neighbors instead of first time visitors. The ambiance is cozy and intimate. We lingered and laughed over exceptional food, Italian wine and tiramisu. We hope Frank will bring the flavors of Italy to Hawaii.
google avatar

Aban J.

Yelp
Stopped in off the street and had a dining experience that was unforgettable. We were greeted by Frank and he took great care of us. Provided great recommendations as we had a variety of anti-pasta and calamari. The calamari were incredible really fresh and tender. That was followed by a pasta with a bolognese sauce which meaty and tasty. Main entrees were some seafood pasta and spaghetti carbonara. The tiramisu was also fantastic. The seafood pastas were out of this world!!!
google avatar

Scott B.

Yelp
Easy to find better... Simply, a lot of misses all around. While we wanted at least one of the dishes to sing, nothing did: stuffed mushrooms were uninspired (and we didn't get the ones we'd ordered), the tomatoes in the burrata weren't ripe enough, and neither dish was anything to write home about. The decor is, well, what's the word? Kitschy, I guess. What's more, there is no check in... I came in at my reservation time, stood inside the doorway, and it was :10m until a waiter, anyone made any eye contact with me (which was when I went to find someone, I bumped into the host who looked like she walked in off the street). You can do better than this for great pasta in the North End. I wish them well...

Brian S.

Yelp
Arrived for a reservation, was sat awkwardly in a super tight table wedged between 2 existing dining families. Wife and I had to sit catty-corner across from each other just to fit, not a single employee we interacted with seemed to care/notice how silly it was. While 4 thin slices of stale bread were brought to the table we ordered an appetizer - one of our favorites: prosciutto and melon ($16). 3 slices of prosciutto draped over 2 MASSIVE honeydew slices. Not even ripe if you gave them a week. We hacked at them for a minute or 2 and just ate the prosciutto. If we made it to dinner, entrees might've tasted okay - we'll never know. Subpar bread, really poor attempt at an appetizer, and the most awkward seating arrangement gave us no reason to tough it out. In the North End not hard to find another spot.
google avatar

Hallie L.

Yelp
Came here after work with some coworkers and received exemplary service, even with such a huge party (almost 20 people!). The free bread and butter was delicious and our waiters were very sweet. The food was on the pricier side and the portions are smaller than your standard Italian place. Don't expect to be full if you want to split a plate but the dishes were all super delicious which validated the price. My personal favorite was the shrimp carbonara, which I highly recommend for any creamy pasta lovers !!!

Jordan T.

Yelp
The bread was great and the escargot was good. The Cabernet red wine was not worth the amount they were asking for per glass. The mussels and the clams weren't good and the spaghetti that went with the clams weren't fully cooked. The tiramisu and the cannoli were good. The waitress barely came to check on us and didn't like when we asked for her to repeat the specials of the day. It was not a great experience.

Daniel P.

Yelp
Had a superb dinner at this restaurant last night. The food was excellent starting with the crusty bread and olive oil, house antipasto that had imported mortadella,Parma prosciutto and sharp provolone cheese. The homemade fusilli amatriciana was cooked perfectly I prefer it el dente and my wife likes it softer and they accommodated both of us. There dishes were delicious and large enough that we split our entree of veal francese was tender and very tasty. The wine list was fairly priced with a large selection. Frank the owner was omnipresent in the restaurant and was attentive to the customers. Our dinner ended with a homemade taramisu and cappucuno. Highly recommend it

K P.

Yelp
The food was delicious and customer service was fantastic. The owner made it such a fun experience. What a gem of a place!

Mr T.

Yelp
Food, Service, Ambiance and Italian wine was unbelievable.The Best Restaurant in the North End. True homemade Italian food If you want a meal like Mamma makes go here you won't be disappointed.
google avatar

Liza C.

Yelp
Got tipped off to try some Italian food and decided on this place. Didn't know what to expect but the service was good and the food was great!
google avatar

Leslie R.

Yelp
My mom & I went last night for dinner. We made reservations for 7:30 and were seated right before that time in the basement at a two person table. Everything was going well. We were enjoying the atmosphere (there was an opera singer!) and just waiting for our food... when out of nowhere, the owner (? Not really sure who It was...) came to our table and grabbed my mom's drink and said "ah, we are moving you to a more comfortable table..." Well, he forced us to move to another table that wasn't more comfortable and it was away from the action of the other room. He didn't give us any explanation and we asked 2 different people until we got an answer from our waiter... there was a group of 10 that needed the space where we were sitting. After we were moved... neither of us really wanted to continue with the dinner. I've NEVER been forced to move to another table in all my years of dining. It was extremely rude and inappropriate. It basically felt like we were tossed aside. I have wrote an email to the restaurant with the same review & I'm sure I will not get a response from them. If I do, I will update this review. Oh and the food. It was ok. Nothing special for the North End. You can do better. This restaurant ruined our last night in Boston. It was my mom's first time and honestly probably her only time. Thankfully Bova's line was worth the wait & we had wonderful pastries to end our crazy evening.
google avatar

Jill B.

Yelp
We didn't pick this restaurant our friends did. It didn't wow me. It was good but not great. Food seemed over priced. The service was ok but didn't match the cost. Food was a bit salty. I had chicken parmigiana with Alfredo. My husband have the tortellini with vodka cream sauce, which was delicious. The bread wasn't anything special and didn't seem very soft. To add a salad it's quite expensive. We had the anti-pasta plate which was surprisingly good and some thing I've never had before. Overall, I would probably try a different restaurant since you are in the land of Italian choices. I did not taste the cannoli but my friend said that the cookie part of it was extremely hard and definitely wasn't worth the $15. We were seated down below the restaurant, and it is stairs only FYI. There is a bathroom down there, but it is extremely tiny.

Dale W.

Yelp
It all started with a very nice man on the street. We were 6 in total wondering the North End looking for a place to eat. He stopped to help direct us to Hanover Street and then when asked for a restaurant recommendation he not only recommended Ristorante Saraceno, but he also called them and told them we were on our way. The food and service did not disappoint. I would definitely return on another trip to Boston.
google avatar

Bryan V.

Yelp
We were in Boston with friends and multiple small children and decided that pasta in the north end would work for the kids. We selected Ristorante Saraceno because it had room for 7 at an earlier time so kids wouldn't need to be up so late. On entering and being taken to our seat, it was a long walk down stairs and through multiple rooms. We were put in the back of the basement room. This was nice because there was no one else so we didn't need to worry about the kids being loud. But the ceiling was extremely short and made me claustrophobic. The seafood pastas were good but the wines on the list were the wrong vintage. The wine that we did get wasn't great as it wasn't aged enough for a baralo. However after letting it breathe some, it was more astringent and becoming like vinegar. I don't think that the wine was carefully stored and might have been exposed to higher temperatures.
google avatar

Delaney E.

Yelp
As a frequent customer who's been to this restaurant at least 8 times, I have been disappointed the last couple of times I've gone, but this last experience was likely the strangest dining experience I've ever had. We had a reservation for 2 for a Saturday night date night and we dressed up for the occasion. We were lead up to the 3rd floor after walking past many available tables on the 2 main floors. The 3rd floor unfortunately is a completely different ambience, it was no longer nice white table clothes or a dimly lit romantic atmosphere, we ate on picnic table red and white checkered clothes with mismatched colored napkins etc, but I shrugged it off, trying not to be disappointed. We were the only people up there and it was dead quiet w/o music or chatter, which was odd, but I hoped that more people would eventually be sat up there to fill the eerie silence. I tried to stay positive and told myself that we got a "private dining experience". But then the waitress hovered us while we looked at and discussed the menu, standing about 3 feet behind my partner staring at me intensely, waiting for us to pick our choices and listening. I found it very difficult to focus and discuss choices but just picked as quickly as I could so we could move on. Once we ordered I was relieved because I thought we might get a little privacy but she stood there staring at me the entire 1.5 hours, listening to every word of our conversation, watching me eat every single bite of my meal. She left twice for about 30 seconds each time. Every time I looked up she was staring at me and again, she was only 3-4 feet away. No one else was ever seated up on the 3rd floor with us. I felt so incredibly uncomfortable, and we could not have any intimate conversation because she was clearly eavesdropping everything. There was a place for her around the corner where she could have sat while we ate to give us some time to enjoy the meal but she stayed put and stared directly at me the whole time, watching me. I kept nervously looking at her between bites hoping she would get the clue but she didn't. I'm still shaken up that this experience wasn't a dream, or a nightmare, and don't know that I'd go back there again for fear of this happening again. The food was decent and came out pretty quick, which was nice!
google avatar

John A.

Yelp
Frutti Di mare was excellent as it always is. Clean, consistent, excellent food. Service is always great.
google avatar

Annette F.

Yelp
My first time dining in the North End and my first time trying the Boston Italian food scene. I really wanted to like this place more than I did. I love Italian food and this wasn't bad, but it didn't wow me either. It was average. From what I can tell by the pictures on the wall, this restaurant has been around for a long time. However, they need to work on the ambiance and service. We arrived on time for our 8:30pm reservation and there was a line of people huddled in the tight entrance where we could not even get in to check in for our reservation. There is no hostess stand when you walk in. It's just a door and then the first table is seated right at the entrance. There was one hostess that was never standing in the front and constantly going outside to what looked like another entrance. She did not update us on the status of our table and when we did ask she said it would just be a few more minutes. After waiting 30 minutes squished in a hallway, we finally sat down. It's a small restaurant and we had a large party, but that is why we made a reservation in advance. A 30 minute wait when you have a reservation is too long. Then we were escorted downstairs to our table. The downstairs dining room looks completely different from the upstairs. It was like we stepped into an entirely different time. There was blue lighting that was not very flattering, fake columns, and Italian statues with creepy eyes. The table was tight, but we expected that with a large party and most restaurants in the area being small. The bathroom was so cramped, to open the door of the stall I had to open the main door of the bathroom just to clear the door. If not there was no room to open the door. They constructed two stalls inside a bathroom that should just be a single bathroom. The bread they brought at the beginning was cold and stale. It would have been a little better if it was toasted. I ordered the carbonara and it was decent. The lighting was not very good so the picture of the dish isn't great. It was cooked al dente but the sauce could have had a bit more flavor.
google avatar

Libbie A.

Yelp
We had dinner at Saraceno Friday night at 7pm. We had a party of 7 and received excellent service. Like all North End restaurants the dinning rooms are small and space is at a minimum. We were seated in the basement surrounded by kitschy fake grape vines and statues of Neptune. The atmosphere was fun if you don't mind that sort of thing. For people who are tall beware the low ceilings in the basement. The bathrooms are also an experience! Two toilets separated by dividers without doors. The door to the bathroom is all you get. Make sure to lock it! . The food was good. The shrimp scampi and chicken Marsala was very good. The portions were very generous. Our servers kept filling our water glasses and provided us with several baskets of fresh crusty bread. We had a nice evening, but I'm not sure our out of towners were impressed.

Christine M.

Yelp
Service was awful. Waited 20 minutes to put in drink order. The waitress told us we had to place our appetizer order at the same time as we ordered our main course, because the kitchen was so busy. Was never asked if we wanted a second drink. We saw multiple people get up and leave because they waited too long for a waitress to come over. Food was abysmal. The mussels were worst I've ever had and the chicken was rubbery. Never asked if we wanted dessert.
google avatar

Kelly S.

Yelp
Delicious pasta meal in Boston's North End! We got seated right away even though it was a Friday night. So many things to choose from on the menu, but decided on a classic: ravioli with bolognese sauce. Generous portions and the ravioli was swimming in that warm, savory sauce. The pasta was filled with ricotta cheese that paired well with the bolognese. Would definitely eat here again next time I'm in Boston.
google avatar

Lea O.

Yelp
We were visiting Boston and stumbled upon this restaurant. We were greeted and ushered in by an older gentleman and showed us to our table. The food we ordered were perfect! Fried calamari with super yummy marinara sauce ( it's so good). Our pasta dishes with fresh tasting seafood and the cannoli, are in our opinion- to die for! We highly recommend this restaurant .

Rob K.

Yelp
Server ignored us. Food was decent but not outstanding. We had to wait forever for food, water, our check, etc. Don't come here if you are in a hurry or want good service. Server seemed annoyed when I had to ask to pay the check.
google avatar

Talia P.

Yelp
We started with calamari, I wish I could've taken a picture of it (But we ate at all). It was fresh and delicious! The pasta was heavenly. Paired it with a nice white wine. The atmosphere was lovely and peaceful. Highly recommend!
google avatar

Valerie A. R.

Yelp
Amazing food! $30 a plate worth it. Ask for table of 2. Old man took us all the way downstairs to a tiny table. No complaints. I loved it. Loved the experience. All restaurants were full. We were grateful to sit and enjoy meal with romantic mood.
google avatar

Sophia W.

Yelp
If you don't want to wait in line for all the other restaurants around little Italy, here's a little gem! Their pasta and risotto was delicious. Everything was perfectly reasoned. We got the clam and mussels in white sauce (it was $6 more to add clams). Seafood risotto (super flavorful. Highly recommend) and shrimp pasta.

Victoria M.

Yelp
Made reservations, the owner was so incredibly rude and pushy. Did not even ask our names. We were brought down to a basement crammed with cheap tables, no moving air and the air so thick it was hard to breath. October in Boston, cold and raining outside it was so stiflingly hot that we asked to be moved to any other space in the restaurant. We were told "I have to ask the owner" and the owner quickly said no...meanwhile we watched multiple parties be seated. Eventually we left after being ignored by staff and treated so awfully. Not worth the experience for the low rated food anyway. Absolutely not a restaurant owner I want to support. We ended up at villa Francesca across the street. Sat at the bar because the tables were booked but it had lovely ambiance, very friendly and attentive staff and beautiful food.
google avatar

Jean H.

Yelp
Came to Ristorante Saraceno with a group of 8 during a weeknight and had a wonderful meal. We had reservations that were made that day. Food: - The fried calamari appetizer: delicious! Light, crunchy, good portion. - Linguine ai Frutti di Mare: mix of scallops, shrimp, calamari, clams, and mussels in red sauce. Good way to have a variety of seafood in one dish. This is a nice dish, and I had a little leftover for a snack later. - Spaghetti Alle Vongole with white sauce: Simpler dish, also delicious. You can taste the white wine sauce well. This is usually a dish I crave in Italian restaurants. Spaghetti was al dente. Seating: Small restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating in the summer. There is an indoor table that can seat at least 6 by a large open window/door so can be seated inside with the feeling of being outside. Because of this large open window, the space feels well ventilated during COVID pandemic. Service: Very professional and prompt. Very reasonable wait time for all the dishes. Ambiance: Cute little restaurant with decor on the ceilings create a different feel reminiscent of Italy.
google avatar

bo c.

Yelp
We were just walking around Little Italy on this beautiful Friday night and this place had room for us. It was a pleasant surprise! The food was great! Service was very good as well. The bread was a bit old though. Then there was a tenor who provided live music. His voice is amazing! His name is Miguel Cabrera What a great experience for my family!

Dj M.

Yelp
Food was a big disappointment. Pasta overcooked and mushy and overall just meh. Over priced for the quality, or rather lack there of.

Sofi G.

Yelp
This was the best bolognese I have ver tasted and the owner is the nicest person ever he is the sweetest and the service is impeccable. The vibe is unmatched. Everyone is welcoming and the people around are so sweet.

Irene A.

Yelp
Authentic Italian restaurant. Friendly staff and owners sat with their customers. Definitely a family environment.
google avatar

Pechluck L.

Yelp
Lots of tasty pasta options and lunch specials, service was fast and the number of regulars is a testament to the quality of this veteran restaurant. The bread in the basket was a little dry and only came with butter and no olive oil like other tables which I didn't realize until I left but probably a one off. I would try more at this very old school menu and service Italian establishment

Nicholas D.

Yelp
Left before even attempting to order food. The owner was so rude, they crammed a bunch of cheaply made tables into a bizarrely lit basement with no flowing air and too many people. It was such an uncomfortable experience and the staff was inattentive/unbothered we decided to just leave.
google avatar

Jan C.

Yelp
Back again. I had to have the carbonara again and it did not disappoint. Great flavor! The bread served on the side was perhaps not fresh as it was very hard. I skipped the wine this time. Still, I'd come back again for the carbonara.

Mike F.

Yelp
First time there. Very intimate. Reminded me of some of the old places in Little Italy in NYC. Older gentleman welcomed us and sat us. Wonderful Italian accent. Bus boy... Italian. Our waitress... Italian. Such an old school establishment! Apps came out quick. All outstanding. Food also came out quick, considering it was packed. Fettuccine bolognese was really good! My daughter got veal Saltimbocca. She loved it. Can't remember what her bf got but he downed it in record time! Can't wait to come back to Boston and go there again!

Steven B.

Yelp
My wife and I sat down at 7pm. Busy night but no wait. Which in the North End is a red flag. No menus. We sat for 10 minutes before someone brought any. No wine or drink menu still. 10 minutes later the waiter asked if we wanted drinks. I then asked for the wine menu. Brings it right over. He doesn't come back.i see him another 10 min later at another table. I signal to him. He gives me a dirty look. He walks away. Another waiter comes by hands us menus for some reason. Our original menus are right there. Like WTF is going on? I said we have menus and are ready to order. He walks away and may have mumered FO under his breadth, but not 100% sure. So now it's about 30 -45 minutes, our original waiter come out with an arm full of menus for a party next to us. Says nothing at that point. We got up and left. We went somewhere else.
google avatar

Robby K.

Yelp
This place has Great Italian food. We flew up to Boston just to return to this restaurant. It looks like a small restaurant but they have a lower and upper level which are pretty cool. The glass of Italian wine selection is very limited and I wish they had more. I wish I had ordered the Eggplant Parm because it looked amazing. It was thinly sliced and cooked to perfection (according to my wife). The lasagna was great, the sauce is amazing and hot but there were parts of it that was cold. Best part is they have Valet Parking so you don't struggle to find parking in the North End

Arielle W.

Yelp
One of the worst Italian food experiences I've had in Boston. The antipasti contained 2 measly slices of prosciutto and 2-3 cubes cubes of some cheese for $20. A complete joke. And they didn't even include the soppresetta. It was mostly just salad. The veal contained so much oil it basically tasted like microwave cardboard at a whopping $27. Such a waste of money and extremely disappointing. Would not recommend at all, look for other options in the area.

david h.

Yelp
The Food was fabulous. Service was perfect and it was a great value for excellent Italian food. We were very satisfied.