Boston Travel Guide
Updated: Sep 24, 2023
Having more than a handful of friends that live in Boston means I've visited my fair share of places in Boston—Without further ado, here are some of the best places to eat in Boston!
The Best Restaurants in the North End:
Regina's Pizzeria—Arguably one of the most famous pizzerias in the North End, Regina's makes an awesome pie. We got the spinaci e pomodoro (spinach and tomato), but there's something special about the cheese they use that really makes the pizza stand out.
Trattoria il Panino—I would definitely recommend making a reservation, but Trattoria il Panino is so worth it! The menu is pretty long, and the all the pasta dishes are served in a pan. I had the gnocchi, and it was amazing!
La Famiglia Giorgio's—Located on Salem St., La Famiglia Giorgio's Restaurant is classic, Italian, pasta restaurant. For under $20 you can pick the pasta type and sauce type and likely have 3-4 servings of leftovers because the dishes are so huge! I definitely recommend the eggplant sauce in angel hair pasta.
Pauli's—Located in the heart of the North End, Pauli's made such a good lobster roll; I'm not sure if they have them year-round, but they definitely do in the summer, they're a great quick lunch to pick up and eat on the go while you stroll the north end!
The Best Coffee/Cannolis in the North End:
Modern—Everyone in town will tell you these are the best cannolis around. They fill them fresh and the ricotta filling is so creamy, it's hard to describe in words. If you're in the area, you must stop at Modern.
Caffé Vittoria—This spot has a cute, Italian interior and plenty of outdoor seating. There's nothing unusually exciting about Caffé Vittoria, but if you like Lavazza, it's a great afternoon spot for people-watching.
Thinking Cup—Though there are a few locations, Thinking Cup on hanover (near the Paul Revere House) is an awesome stop for breakfast and coffee! They have an extensive list of alternative milk options, but I'm never disappointed with their oat milk cappuccino.
Boava's Bakery—If you're looking for the best cannoli in Boston, go to Modern. If you've already been to Modern, and you want some more fun cannoli options, check out Boava's Bakery on Salem St. From lime-green colored pistachio cannolis to seasonal flavors like pumpkin cannolis, you're sure to find something fun!
Other great spots in the North End:
Monica's Mercato—A cute little Italian market in the North End, Monica's Mercato is noted for having some of the best Italian subs in the area. I stopped by to grab a loaf a bread, and even that was amazing, so I'm sure the rest is great!
Polcari's—This is more of an Italian market than it is a coffee shop, but they do sell coffee beans from all over the world. I definitely recommend trying Polcari's signature Italian roast.
Great spots in Seaport:
Cisco Brewers Seaport—This outdoor beer garden is the perfect addition to a summer in Boston. Cisco Brewers has a handful of vendors serving beer, wine, pizza and salads.
The Barking Crab—Situated on the water in Seaport, The Barking Crab is a super casual and fun restaurant. The lobster roll was out of this world, and the Camp Wannamango beer from Harpoon Brewery was an awesome addition.
Yankee Lobster—Slightly off the beaten path, Yankee Lobster makes a MEAN lobster roll. The place is rather small & casual with a wide variety of beers to pair with your roll!
Drink—The bar is much more unique and creative than the name insinuates. Located on Congress St. in Seaport, Drink is a dimly-lit, underground, lounge-type bar that creates specialty drinks especially for you and your taste palate. That's right! You tell them flavors and other drinks that you like, and they'll make something specifically for you.
The Best Restaurants in Downtown Boston:
Hobgoblin—A bit of a newer location, Hobgoblin had some stellar cocktail options and asian inspired food to compliment. I mean, If a bar has a cocktail with radish & cucumber infused gin, dill infused vermouth and rosemary & basil oil, you go there and you get it.
Yvonne's—A short alley-walk away from Hobglobin, Yvonne's is such a fun small-plate, celebratory dinner spot. This is another spot that takes spotlights to the cocktail menu—my drink had blanco tequila, grapefruit, pink and white peppercorn, strawberry campari, lime, egg white and tonic and it was delish.
