Boston’s North End Named ‘Best Little Italy Neighborhood in the US’

Whether your heart (and stomach) is at Bricco or Mama Maria, and whether you get your pastry fix from Mike's or Modern, one thing is sure: Boston's North End rules! We are so lucky to have such an amazing neighborhood bursting with flavor around every corner. It's a beautiful area with beautiful tastes seemingly behind every door. And one publication just gave the North End it's flowers.

Travel and Leisure just named Boston's North End as the #1 Best Little Italy Neighborhood in the U.S. They cited the neighborhood's abundant quality Italian restaurant options, the various Italian pastry shops serving up delicious cookies, cannolis, and desserts, and the rich history and celebrations - such as one that just recently passed, St. Anthony’s Feast which is celebrated the last Sunday in August.

Another New England neighborhood made the National Little Italy Top 5. Federal Hill in Providence took the third spot. Travel and Leisure singled out Scialo Brothers Bakery as a must-stop for a sfogliatella which is a traditional pastry from Naples.

For the rest of the Top 5 Best Little Italy Neighborhoods in the US, check out their full article RIGHT HERE.

I actually passed on moving into an apartment in the North End years ago because my love for all Italian foods is too strong, I wouldn't be able to resist a nightly chicken parm. There's so many great ones there! Now that you know my blood type is marinara, you can imagine how excited I was when I came across Tasting Table’s 2023 list of the 20 Best Italian Restaurants in the U.S. I was even more excited when I got that jolt of hometown pride when I saw that one of the 20 best in the country was right here in the good ol’ Bay State.

I’ll give you some Massachusetts honorable mentions, these are some Italian restaurants you should definitely check out if you haven’t already. Then we'll finish off with the North End restaurant that was named one of the Best Italian Restaurants in America!

The other day my daughter and I were talking about what our last meals would be if we could choose. (I know, a real positive father/daughter convo, huh?) We both decided that some good Italian is on our short lists. My love for Italian food is one of the reasons I never considered moving to or near Boston's North End. I love chicken parmesan too much. I fear what I'd look like after living there for six months of tiramisu for breakfast (because I would!).

Now that you know my blood type is marinara, you can imagine how excited I was when I came across Tasting Table's 2023 list of the 20 Best Italian Restaurants in the U.S. I was even more excited when I got that jolt of hometown pride when I saw that one of the 20 best in the country was right here in the good ol' Bay State.

There are currently over 60,000 Italian restaurants in the US, so being one of the Top 20 is a humongous accomplishment! And can we stop and drop our jaws in awe of that number? Over 60,000 Italian restaurants in America? That's over 1,200 per state!! Holy connoli!!

So grab your fork and your pasta twirler spoon and let's get to it - I'll give you some Massachusetts honorable mentions, these are some Italian restaurants you should definitely check out if you haven't already. We'll finish up with our Italian Restaurant Golden Child of Massachusetts (and I'll see you there this weekend - we'll be the ones there at 4pm to beat the rush, it's how we roll).

Where: Reading, MA
Standout Dish Not to Be Missed: chicken parm all day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KippUZKFnZY

Where: North End of Boston, MA
Standout Dish Not to Be Missed: Ahi Tuna Arrabbiata
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87rbZ2WJL0g

Where: Boston, MA
Standout Dish Not to Be Missed: the Bolognese
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqvWjpw2h5Y

Where: Dorchester, MA
Standout Dish Not to Be Missed: the pizzas are awesome!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziYRUSDIzCw

Where: Charlestown, MA
Standout Dish Not to Be Missed: the Spicy Picci.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQPVCHpHT48

Where: North End of Boston, MA
Standout Dish Not to Be Missed: Gnocci
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtNiXZdjngw

Where: Quincy, MA
Standout Dish Not to Be Missed: the atmosphere - take it in!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjnxIbmYTn4

Where: Gloucester, MA
Standout Dish Not to Be Missed: fresh pasta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivMY3Tt3ZhQ

Where: Amesbury, MA
Standout Dish Not to Be Missed: veal saltimbocca
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL4rGQqSJ9Y

Where: North End of Boston, MA
Standout Dish Not to Be Missed: lobster, clams, and mussels over linguine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_sev6pbEyM