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Name: Al Dente Restaurant
Address: 109 Salem St, Boston, MA, 02113
Telephone: (617) 523-0990
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.00

Al Dente Restaurant

109 Salem St, Boston, MA, 02113

(617) 523-0990
Store is closed

Al Dente Restaurant Menu

Appetizers

Bruschetta

Mussels Marinara

Shrimp Scampi

Lobster Ravioli

Broccoli Fritti

Vegetable Medley

Eggplant Rollatini

Stuffed Calamari

Shrimp Grand Mariner

Shrimp Cocktail
Salads

Minestrone

Homemade Italian Vegetable Soup

Italian Antipasto

Garden Salad

Caprese Salad

Caesar Salad

House Salad
Pasta

Bolognese

Arabiata

Pomodoro

A'matriciana

Alfredo

Vodka Sauce

Quattro Formagio

Pesto

Primavera

Carbonara

Puttanesca

Ravioli
Seafood

Mussels Marinara

Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp Penne Broccoli

Linguine Ala Vongole

Swordfish

Frutti Di Mare
Chicken

Chicken Marsala

Chicken Parmigiana

Chicken And Eggplant Parmigiana

Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken Milanese

Chicken Penne Broccoli
Veal

Veal Marsala

Veal Parmigiana

Veal And Eggplant Parmigiana

Veal Saltimbocca

Veal Valdostona

Veal Milanese

Veal Sorrentino
House Specialties

Al Dente Special

Gnocchi Al Dente

Veal Valentino

Chicken Buona Bocca

Sea Bass Al Dente

Pork Tenderloin

Chicken Venensia

Lobster Ravioli

Seafood Risotto

Shrimp And Scallops A La Vodka

Eggplant Parmigiana

Shrimp And Calamari Fra Diavolo

Healthy Meal suggestions for Al Dente Restaurant

Appetizers

Bruschetta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mussels Marinara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Scampi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Broccoli Fritti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetable Medley [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eggplant Rollatini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stuffed Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Grand Mariner [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

Minestrone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Homemade Italian Vegetable Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Italian Antipasto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garden Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caprese Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pasta

Bolognese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arabiata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pomodoro [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

A'matriciana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Alfredo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vodka Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quattro Formagio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pesto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Primavera [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carbonara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Puttanesca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Seafood

Mussels Marinara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Scampi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Penne Broccoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Linguine Ala Vongole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Swordfish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Frutti Di Mare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Chicken

Chicken Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken And Eggplant Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Cacciatore [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Milanese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Penne Broccoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Veal

Veal Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal And Eggplant Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Saltimbocca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Valdostona [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Milanese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Sorrentino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
House Specialties

Al Dente Special [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gnocchi Al Dente [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Valentino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Buona Bocca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sea Bass Al Dente [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Tenderloin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Venensia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Risotto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp And Scallops A La Vodka [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eggplant Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp And Calamari Fra Diavolo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

Boston Common Coffee Co. ( 97 Salem St )

Einstein Bros Bagels ( 725 Commonwealth Ave )

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

Einstein Bros Bagels ( 725 Commonwealth Ave )

Write An Anonymous Review

Nicole M.

As I'm sitting here indulging in my leftovers from this afternoon's lunch, I am just as in love with my dish as I was when I first ate it. Today, I walked out of the cold, and into Al Dente. I have been there once before, and remember being quite pleased. But today is a day I will never forget. My friend and I started the meal with fried calamari, which is often ruined by restaurants. But each piece I ate was moist and tender, and cooked to perfection. Served with a basic marinara sauce, and hot peppers, this is an appetizer that will never disappoint. As for the main course, I ordered the homemade gnocchi with vodka sauce. At first I thought something was a little off, but as I continued to eat and allowed the flavors to settle, I became overwhelmed with the flavors (in a good way). The gnocchi was fresh and delicious, and the sauce was something to be proud of. It was perfectly balanced and had chunks of garlic and onion, who could complain? The only drawback is the size of the restaurant. It's a tight squeeze if you're going during a busy time. This little restaurant is one that should not be overlooked.
(4)
Amanda S.

it's no secret that your italian options in the north end are abundant. however, when you have an insider italian friend whose aunt lives in the north end and swears this place is second to her cooking, you've found yourself a spot. the portions here are HUMASSIVE and satiating, right down to the very last bite. we started with the fried calamari, which could be a meal in itself. crisp breading on the outside and succulent squid on the inside, this classic antipasto is sure to whet your appetite for the amazingness that's yet to come. we also started with the eggplant rollatini, and the best way to describe it is..imagine eggplant cannolis with the creamiest ricotta. the sauce it sat in was ridiculously delicious, and we spent a good few minutes trying to sop up every bit of it with eggplant and bread. i had the chicken umberto, which was the special of the day. i really have no words for it. it was a huge piece of flattened chicken, breaded and lightly fried, sitting atop spinach and a bed of penne in a light, brothy sauce. everything about it was incredible. also, who would've thought that plain pasta in a light sauce could be so..sumptuous? because it was. it was unlike any pasta i've ever had and yet..it was so simple. my dining companion had the veal valentino and loved it. i had a bite, and it was tasty, but i'm just not a veal person. expect to walk out of here feeling like your nonna wanted to take good care of you and made sure you had enough to eat. i got back to dc still full yet simultaneously hungry for more al dente..quite the predicament. but not really..i took my leftovers back with me!
(4)
Mark K.

When I visit Boston once or twice a year, I usually try to eat in the North End, and am disappointed about half the time. It's not that I'm real fussy (I'm not), but too many of the places at which I've eated seem to want to move me in, give me a marginal dinner, then get me out. I picked Al Dente because of good Yelp reviews, and loved it. Server (Katie?) was terrific--warm, humorous and really efficient. Food was outstanding--every meal in our party of four seemed carefully prepared with jump-off-the-plate flavor. This was my Czech mother in law's last meal of her trip before flying home, and Al Dente made it great. I'd eat here again tomorrow.
(4)
Sze Yin Benjamin W.

I never have a great exposure to Italian food but I find my visit to Al Dente a delightful one. The ambiance is descent although it is a little cramped up. We had to squeeze into our table quite literally. But it is okay, I went there for the food and nothing else. I ordered the Pesto Fettuccine with Chicken and it was descent. The pesto sauce was rich, creamy and you could taste olive oil in every bite which is what I was looking for. It was a little heavy to my taste though, I was quite full after several bites into the dish. I think this is definitely one of those places where I would like to go back and explore the menu more. If you are feeling Italian food and do not know where to start, Al Dente is a pretty safe and standard choice . You can't really go wrong with it. Make sure you reserve a table beforehand! There is always a line and you don't want to wait for a long time especially during the summer time.
(3)
Kristyn L.

The food here is AMAZING. My friend made the recommendation that I try this place after some disappointing North End run-ins. It didn't disappoint! I made my reservation the day I went there, and I was actually a little late to say... Luckily, they had a table open for us since it was just two people. The portions were HUGE - what a great deal for delicious Italian food! We shared the pumpkin ravioli and it was SO great. My only complaint would be that it gets very crowded and REALLY loud. But I would go back in a heartbeat for their fantastic dishes.
(4)
Emily A.

The fact that this place has 4 stars just shows you the low caliber of restaurants in Boston-- especially Italian restaurants. I got the gnocchi and it was definitely not freshly made-- you can tell when gnocchi is freshly made, and this was probably frozen...It was okay but not worth the price. The bread was pretty poor quality too.
(3)
Jessica S.

small place. good bread. caprese salad and tortellini with vodka sauce was good. big portion of pasta.
(4)
Scott K.

I really enjoyed this place. Yes, it's a little cramped, but the food is great and they accommodate a gluten allergy, which is amazing. I really enjoyed the atmosphere, pasta, and the waitress was really nice. Would definitely go back!
(5)
Phil D.

Make a reservation it's the only way to go. The people were very friendly, our waitress was great with lots of personality. The food was wonderful - Try the sangria.
(4)
Meredith V.

A cute ma and pa restaurant located in Little Italy that makes fresh pasta and a variety of sauces. We were seriously hungover coming here for an early lunch and our waitress (I think was one of the owners) couldnt have been more hospitable and friendly, filling up waters numerous times after we chugged them. The portions were generous, the sauces were authentic, and atmosphere was relaxed. Definitely come here for a real piece of Italy in Boston.
(4)
Brenden L.

This is perhaps the best place in the North End for the old favorites of Italian food, The ravioli, lasagna, etc. are all mouth watering. The seating can get a little cramped but its the North End, seating gets cramped everywhere. I reccomend anything here with pesto as their pesto is pretty awesome.
(4)
J B.

I always recommend this spot when friends have a somewhat traditional, non-adventurous eater in their group --and that's not a bad thing. If you're looking for simple, traditional, and delicious Italian food, this is your spot. A consistent, dependable stand-by. Great pastas, including a tasty rigatoni alla vodka.
(4)
Stellina M.

Great Lunch place, cozy, very Italian. Order pasta and you'll be safe. There is no perfect kitchen in the North End, but you have to take risks in life, don't you?
(3)
Cassondra S.

SO LOUD I ALMOST LEFT. The atmosphere: I would have left, but we had been waiting for an hour even though we had reservations. I thought this better be the best meal ever. We were there with friends who had been before and thought it was great, so I waited. I wish I had left. It was so loud it almost hurt my ears and the light from the big flat screen tv was off putting. They crammed about thirty tables into a room the size of most hotel rooms, and I was sandwiched in two inches from my table unable to move in any way. The service: Our server was informative, friendly and very kind. The food: NOT REAL ITALIAN- It was AMERICAN ITALIAN. In the North end in an Italian neighborhood, I expected food a little closer to what you get in Italy, but instead it was a sauce heavy, cheese laden American version of Italian, which had I known, I would not have waited to long standing in the street for. That being said, it was not bad. I had the sausage cacciatorre which had big chunks of peppers, garlic and sausage in it. It tasted good, but required you to slice each bite with a knife because it was in huge chunks, and I neglected to notice that is came on a big bed of giant curly noodles. The other guests had the lasagna which was a huge sauce/ cheese square and a seafood pasta with vodka sauce, which he said he enjoyed. So, go there if you like American Italian and don't mind an extremely loud room. Don't go if you want real Italian, are a big person, or prefer a quiet dining experience.
(2)
Angela B.

Love, Love, Love the North End and Al Dente did not disappoint. This was a great recommendation from a local. I checked this place out with a group of colleagues and we had a wonderful experience. Very relaxed, cozy atmosphere, great service by a nice gal named Marge (Maaaage). The food was fresh and authentic. We had the mussel appetizer. The spicy red sauce was so delicious I wanted to lick the bowl clean. We also did the bruchetta and this battered shrimp dish with grand marnier that was heavenly. For my entree, I had the lobster ravioli and it was rich and delicious. We finished our meal with complimentary shots of lemoncello. Nice touch:)
(5)
Jennifer T.

I went to tonight with my husband and 7 year old son. The food was absolutely fantastic and the staff super nice and friendly. My son said the chicken was the best he ever had! I had the eggplant parm- and it was delicious and enough for a meal tomorrow. My Italian husband loved his homemade pasta dish as well. Both appetizers were also incredible (caprese salad and shrimp Grand Marnier (I think that was the name of it) Amazing...we will be back for sure the next time we are in Boston!!
(5)
Justin Gwailo H.

So far, the best Italian I've had in the whole North End! Not only that the food is authentic but they're also very generous with the portion. Staff was friendly and prices are reasonable too! I don't want to go to posh, stuffy places for Italian food... I think Al Dente was perfect!
(5)
Jennifer C.

My husband took me to Al Dente for our 2 year wedding anniversary. He had never been but found it online. He called and made reservations (thankfully!) for 8pm and the restaurant was completely packed. It is on the smaller side, so if you are looking for a more private place to talk or even a little leg room, this is not the place for you. We were seated next to the kitchen stairs and the table next to us was arm distance. We had a truly amazing pumpkin ravioli appetizer followed by our dinners. I had a eggplant lasagna, that though I liked it, I only found the sauce to be average. I have had better sauce at other places in the North End. The service was quick and our server was very nice and pleasant. I liked it, but with so many different offerings in the North End, I don't know that I'd recommend it.
(3)
James H.

Lobster Ravioli is awesome!
(5)
Patrick N.

My favorite restaurant in the North End. The food is fantastic.
(5)
Michael H.

Excellent service. Food was perfectly OK if not life changing.
(4)
H S.

Very yummy and affordable Italian in the heart of the North End. We strolled in for a late lunch without a reservation and were kindly let right in. Our waitress was great and I liked the cute, cozy atmosphere.
(4)
Jenny C.

The food was pretty good (better than most of the other North End area restaurants) and had HUGE portions. My husband had the frutti di mare and I had the lobster ravioli. Both were really tasty and we finished them off. The bread they brought us before dinner was pretty disappointing, especially for an Italian restaurant. We got stuck in really bad traffic on our way into the city and showed up an hour late for our reservation (we were grabbing a bite to eat before heading over to the Garden for a concert). Even though we were super late, they still got us in and sat us at a table within 5 minutes. The service was really quick and our waitress was a feisty older woman named Marge who kept things quick and straight to the point, which was much appreciated since we were in a rush to get out the door.
(4)
Maya S.

We decided to try out this place for a late lunch. We ordered one appetizer - spinach crepe and two entrees - the veggie lasagna and the pumpkin ravioli. Their bread basket with the lovely aromatic olive oil was divine. The crepe was A-mazing and the entrees were decent too. The server was quite attentive and friendly..not something that you find easily in the restaurants at North end! Definitely worth a try!
(4)
Jennifer K.

There has been no air conditioning for the past three weeks. I don't understand why we weren't told this when they confirmed our reservation this afternoon. We did stay for dinner and our waitress, Andrea, was fantastic. All the waitresses that worked there complained of the heat. Our dinner was delicious but really couldn't enjoy it because of the heat. We plan on going back again when there is air. We enjoyed our time due to our waitress and other staff members. Thank you Andrea!
(4)
Marcy K.

So, we killed two birds with one stone: We celebrated my birthday here and used a gift certificate that my SIL had given us last year. Al Dente is a small, very clean restaurant with terrible acoustics, but we managed to snag probably the best seat in the house: in the corner and next to the window, away from much of the noise. This was actually the SECOND table we had: The first was smack dab in the middle of the room, and even before we looked at the menu, I was elbowed 3x by passers-by. It was also really, really loud. The couple next to us was leaving, so I asked if we could take that spot. The waitress said yes, but the maÃ®tre d' said an adamant "no." Took me aback a little. He later explained that some "regulars" were expected, and that was their favorite table, which was fine. We were offered an even better seat, so we were happy. Our order included fried calamari and garlic bread, veal and eggplant parmesan, and linguini with white clam sauce, with homemade fusilli pasta. The calamari was tasty, but it could have been more crispy, and the linguini could have been spicier and could have used more clams. My veal dish was huge and very tasty (enough left for two more meals). Slices were thin and covered with a decent red sauce and an abundance of cheese. The garlic bread was good, but the "regular" bread that came with our meal wasn't impressive: I'm not Italian, but I think Italian bread should be crispy on the outside and soft in the middle, and it's best served warm. Actually, ANY bread is best served warm. The biggest disappointment was the homemade sangria. Guess I'm spoiled from having witnessed real sangria in Europe and South America, but this sangria ($6.50 per glass) was so-so. It did contain the lemons and oranges, but it was very watery. We were happy that we only ordered two glasses instead of the pitcher. The glasses of wine and the end-of-meal Lemoncello (gratis) were much better. All the servers were very pleasant, and our glasses were always filled. We were kind of surprised that we weren't asked if we wanted dessert (we were full and had plans to bring home stuff from Mike's anyhow), but I guess they decided we "ate enough." The waitress was very sweet and told us to come again and she'd give us the best seat in the house. I think we were already in it, but that's ok. Tip: I would not recommend this place for an intimate dinner for two because of the noise level.
(4)
Kirs P.

This is my favorite place in the North End. It doesn't get as much talk as some of the other places in the area, but I don't think you can find a better vodka sauce in all of Boston. It's a small place, so expect a wait, but there is a convenient little bar a few doors down that you can grab a drink at (then they'll call down there to let you know your table is ready). I really love coming in the winter- the windows are all steamed up, people are a;; smiles downing the bottles of wine, and it's so warm and cozy. The staff is always friendly. And the prices are excellent.
(5)
jim I.

Wow!!!! This place is unimpressive. The food is not cheap, but the quality certainly was. Nothing says fine dining quite like super-processed enriched white bread from the day old bin at Shaws. Save yourself the disappointment... go somewhere else. If the owners read this and object, please change your ways, post it, and I may give you another chance.
(1)
Christinymarini D.

Most importantly, I made a 7:30 reservation for a group of 3 on a Saturday night and got to Al Dente about 15 minutes before the reservation. When we arrived we were told that they were running about 20 minutes behind, which was fine so we stood outside and waited. At 8 pm we checked on the status of our table and were told it would be just a few more minutes. At the same time a group of 8 with a reservation at 8pm showed up and clearly knew the host. After waiting another 30 minutes we heard the group of 8 called to be seated, not sure about you, but I think seating an 8pm reservation before a 7:30 reservation is ridiculous. At this point, 8:30pm, we inquired about our table again and were told that a table was getting up and the next table was ours. Finally at 9:15pm (an hour and 45 minutes after our reservation) we were seated. If I had known that even with a reservation it would be 1hr and 45 min wait I would have gone to one of the other 100 restaurants in the North End or gone to Regina and taken pizza back to my cozy north end apartment. After waiting for that long we were still seated at a table that could really only accommodate 2 people but somehow we managed to juggle wine, bread and meals. The food at Al Dente was good, nothing spectacular or different from any of the other Italian restaurants in the area. The prices at are reasonable, possibly a little cheaper than many of the other North End Restaurants. All in all, I wouldn't go back.
(2)
Jacqueline P.

This restaurant was a huge disappointment for myself and my out of town guests. We had dinner reservations for 7:30 and when the hostess, Andrea, had not yet seated us by 8:50 because she was admitting people who knew her (or bribed her?) but did not have reservations, we realized it was too late to go anywhere else since we had theatre tickets. I will absolutely never return. As far as food goes, I cannot comment since we never got a table! By the time we left, the hostess was still telling us another 15 minutes, but we were on to their game at that point and left hungry. I don't think the food could have been worth it for the poor service we received.
(1)
Heather Q.

Excellent food, always a great pick when you've been wandering the North End and realize every place has the exact same menu. The prices and service are excellent. The food is fresh, simple, and delicious. For catering, talk to Joe. Joe is great. Ask him about his wife and kids (and at the time of this review, his new baby). Tell him how much you want to spend, how many you want to feed (you could get away with telling him half the number of people) and whether you want him to deliver, or if you'll pick up and return the hot box later. Joe will take care of you. If you use them for catering, the caprese salad will go faster than you think, as will the bruschetta. Ask for extra. The trays of pasta though, are nearly bottomless.
(5)
Dorian G.

--------UPDATED 4/9/07------------ my husband and i returned this weekend. suffice to say, it was the best meal i've had in a long-ass time. i had the caprese as an appetizer and the tomatoes and cheese couldn't have been in more perfect form. for dinner
(4)
Seth K.

Make sure to make reservation. You can do it on Open Table or call in. This is one of the best Italian restaurants in Little Italy in Boston. I had the Frutti de Mare and requested to have it made spicy. The seafood in it was fresh and had good portions. They used fettucine noodle which was also good. The fried calamari had a light batter and the bell pepper gave it a good flavor. I highly recommend this place if you want some good Italian good. The QIQ is 25 (Quality = 10, Inexpensive = 6, Quantity = 9)
(5)
Jessica D.

The streets are filled with small Italian restaurants, but I am glad that we ended up coming to Al Dente! We were greeted and seated quickly, although this may have been because we ate dinner around 5-6 pm. If you are interested in eating later, make sure to make a reservations because the seats do fill up quickly. The tables are rather close to each other and it can get loud, but the food and the overall experience is fantastic. We ordered the lobster ravioli appetizer and shrimp and scallops a la vodka. The serving sizes are perfect (we actually ended up taking some home), it is reasonably priced, and none of the menu items disappointed us.
(5)
Ricardo A.

This is our go-to spot for special occasions (anniversaries, Valentine's) because of the great food and intimate atmosphere. It is loud and cramped because of the small space but once you're in they provide great service. Definitely make a reservation. Even then there can be a wait. Their lobster ravioli is one of my favorite all-time dishes anywhere. My one complaint is the lack of drink options beyond a couple of beers and wines and the fact that you can't just go on a whim. Worth it if you can plan it in advance.
(5)
Noura M.

Cozy place, nice staff and delicious food! We ordered the Al Dente special and it was absolutely amazing! And we also ordered the Chicken milanese which was ok because it wasn't crunchy. Overall we were happy! Such a jewel in Little Italy
(4)
Tai F.

Even though this is not what we were initially hoping to have for lunch it was quite a lovely twist of fate that brought us here. Easter Sunday really limited our dining options and the famed lobster roll we were going to have for lunch was no longer available. Well fine, I wanted Italian food anyway. This is not actually true, as I'm not a huge fan of Italian but this place does it really well and we had an AWESOME lunch. The staff at this joint was super friendly and they chatted us up and always kept our water glasses full. Initially we were thinking about sharing (as pasta portions are usually huge) but I was set on having carbonara and CP wasn't feeling it (like a fool!). I added sausage to my carbonara and felt pretty good about that idea. CP had a more tomato based pasta. We didn't have to wait for long to find out that I was right, we should have shared. These pasta bowls were enormous. Like truly enormous. But you know what, we were pretty darn hungry. CP, gallantly ate every bite. He was basically a champion and he really loved it. I ate almost all of it. And I was stuffed but it was so very good. The only thing I wasn't crazy about, oddly, was the sausage. It was a little dry for my tastes and I wish that I had either gone for the chicken or just left it out all together. But the carbonara was to die for. literally I think I felt my arteries clogging and I didn't regret a single bite. So darn good. Al dente is a great place to get your Italian on. We loved our pasta and our service was impeccable. It was the perfect way to end a trip to Boston.
(4)
Francesca L.

We showed up just before 6 on a Saturday evening and they found a place for including our 1 year old son. The service was superb and the food was excellent. We were visiting from out of town and I wanted to show my husband what good Italian food really was as I haven't founf much at home. We were very happy to find this restaurant and will recommend it to friends.
(5)
Brian R.

First, if you're a pasta biz called "Al Dente"!your pasta shouldn't be over cooked. My linguine fra diavolo was not spicy. It was, in fact, quite bland and devoid of flavor. Little garlic. No spice. I had to dress it at the table to get it to better. The gnocchi was ok, but lacked bite too and canned button mushrooms? Please. A little less time boiling, capice? And service for a two top. We tip too.
(2)
Tom W.

Great dinner, very attentive staff, priced right Had the Veal Saltimboca-excellent My wife had a shrimp dish which was also excellent
(4)
Dani B.

This place really is as dank as it sounds! We were walking by looking for a place to have dinner for my friend's birthday and my friend Molly was like, "Al Dentes! I heard this place is dank!" When the two people outside smoking a cigarette told us that they worked here and it is the best place in the north end! We took their word for it and went in. Angela was our waitress and she was awesome. Super friendly and fun! She was helpful and recommended the Pesto sauce, which rocked. I got a classic chicken parm, which also rocked. Classic. Everyone was very attentive and seemed very happy to be working. People made sure we were satisfied but weren't annoying. It's a great, old school Italian crowd but also relatable and nice! They even brought out dessert for Scott's birthday. All in all, this place is the dankity dankest and I'll be back next time I'm in the North End!
(5)
Lane S.

I went here last week after the Boston Christmas Tree Lighting. We secured a reservation about an hour ahead of time using Open Table, and when we arrived early, we were seated right away! Service: Our waitress was great. She seemed like she had been working there a while because of her knowledge of the menu. All the employees seemed like they knew each other and were very personable with the patrons. Our food came out in a timely manner, not too fast, but we did not wait long. Food: I ordered the red pepper risotto with chicken. Overall, it was a tasty dish. My only real negative was that the rice used to make the risotto did not seem cooked down enough. My date ordered chicken and eggplant parmesan with spicy marinara, and she seemed very happy with her choice.
(4)
Nicole B.

I had an absolutely delicious pesto pasta dish here. A lot of the time I find North End restaurant food to be overly heavy and saucy (Italian food in general, really) but the pesto alfredo was perfect. The waitstaff were pleasant, constantly refilling water though borderline pushy when asking if we were ready to order. Small place, but not crowded when I went for a late lunch around 1:30pm on a Saturday.
(4)
Natalie F.

Maby I am just used to the good in NYC but this place seemed so hyped. It's a small cute little restaurant that you will definitely need reservations for. We ordered chicken parm that was so chewy it was gross, the sauce is bitter. The fusili is ok too doughey and too heavy. The side of meatballs were seriously DISGUSTING... DO NOT ORDER THEM!!! They are all gooey undercooked and all garlic they fall apart and taste GROSS. My favorite part of the meal was the bread (which was mediocre) ... Waste of money and time
(1)
Lily W.

Al Dente is a cozy restaurant with dim lighting, a large menu that doesn't boast of many items that you wouldn't be able to find in the sea of other restaurants in this neighborhood. Upon arrival, my companion and I were greeted promptly and given a basket of bread and butter. The bread is standard--it doesn't seem to be baked in house, which is perfectly fine. Our waitress had a beautifully grating Boston accent and seemed knowledgeable about the menu--I ordered the fig salad and my companion had linguine in vodka sauce. The salad was good--standard mixed greens with a few slices of proscuitto (would have liked to see more than three of them) and maybe four dates. I tried the pasta and the sauce was quite delicious!--my only complaint would be that contrary to the restaurant's name, it wasn't quite "al dente," it was most certainly a bit overcooked, but it may also have been because I tried it near the end of our meal and the heat may have just softened the pasta a bit. The portions are quite enormous, be ready for that and expect to take something home if you aren't sharing anything. Good solid meal--I just question whether Al Dente can distinguish itself among its many many competitors in the area.
(3)
S F.

I went to Al Dente while in Boston visiting colleges with my daughter. We were walking in the North End in the middle of the afternoon and found the restaurant after seeing other Yelp reviews. We didn't have a reservation but there were tables available. The staff was very friendly and allowed us to move away from the door when the weather was cold outside. We Californians can't stand too much wind and cold, you know. The entrees we each got were very good and flavorful. I had the eggplant lasagna and my daughter had tortellini alfready. Portions were quite large and the sauces were full of flavor. It was a very good meal after a long day of walking. I'd definitely go back next time in town.
(4)
Jennifer H.

The food was delicious...but my review is based solely on the horrible service that I experienced. But even though the food was great...there are plenty of other places to eat in the north end that are delicious with GOOD service. The restaurant is also extremely LOUD as well. My friends and I had to shout to talk to eachother. It was my 30th birthday and I was looking for a place in the north end to get some delicious italian food. This place is very affortable and got great reviews so I made reservations one month in advance for a party of 6. Four of us arrive on time at 7:00 pm and state that we were made reservations. The guy host was one of the rudest people I have ever met. He said that he couldn't seat us until our whole party arrived and if the remaining two people weren't there in 10 minutes he was giving our table away. So we had given him some push back on his comment saying that if we had known this we wouldn't have made the reservation or we would we have canceled. He then went on to talk down to us in a degrading way and said..."When you get older you will understand how reservations work in this world. etc. Then I asked him how old he thought we were and he said I don't know....21 or 22. Actually....we are all in our thirties. Once he realized that we were older and not a bunch of young twenty year olds...boy did his attitude change!!! He seated us right away...he gave us free dessert...he then went out of his way to be nice to us. So just a warning...if you are a girl in your young twenties...watch out for this guy because he will talk to you like you are a child.
(2)
Daren G.

Come hungry that's the best advice you will receive. Small restaurant but great food with a lively atmosphere. Not the place for a romantic dinner but if you appreciate good food and good service you can't go wrong.
(5)
E. P.

Loved the food and our server Ernestina! Tables and decor nothing fancy but food was delicious and reasonable. Would go back next time we are in town for sure.
(4)
Jenna C.

A great find - not super expensive, delicious food, and a large menu. Much better than the 'fancier' place we went to last time on Hanover street with its tiny menu and $15 appetizers. We had mussells, shrimp scampi, assorted pasta dishes - I had pesto gnocchi (so good and good portion), my parents had chicken Milanese (lemony deliciousness). I also had a side of eggplant rollatini- melt in your mouth eggplant that I can't wait to go back and have as eggplant Parmesan Highly recommend !
(5)
Mike B.

Finally tried this place after years of walking by and I would say that it was "ok". Compared to other North End restaurants there is nothing that really stood out either in a good or bad way. We had the bruschetta for an appetizer and I had the Gnocci for my meal. Again, both were decent, but I can think of other North End restaurants that do both better. So would I choose to go hear again? Probably not. I would not have any issues eating here again though if someone else I was with wanted to go there. In the end there are just other restaurants in the area that I like better.
(3)
Angela B.

We visited this restaurant as a result of all the yelp reviews that we read. We were greeted at the door by an older gentleman, who was trying his best to manage the crowd of people for seating. The atmosphere was busy, friendly family style, and the food and service were great. I would definitely go back
(4)
Whitney B.

I've been to Al Dente twice now and it's been great both times. It's small, cozy and the pasta is top notch. There's not much else on the menu besides the classics. So if you're looking for innovative Italian or Northern Italian, this isn't really it. But if you're looking for amazing pasta - this place is great. Favorites: Carbonara, Pumpkin Ravioli w/ Brown Butter Sauce and Sage, Minestrone Soup, Bolognese. Tip - they serve butter with the bread - ask them for olive oil. Our last waitress dressed up our olive oil with parmesan and balsamic - it was awesome.
(4)
Robert C.

Al Dente is a good Italian restaurant that opens late. For appetizer, I recommend getting their Bruschetta ($7.95) - Garlic Bread, Olive Oil, Tomatoes & Basil. Their Bruschetta's great! Trust me, this is coming from a person who dislikes tomatoes lol... For entree, I tried their Veal Parmigiana ($17.95) - Breaded cutlet enveloped with a light tomato sauce and baked with fresh mozzarella cheese. The veal tasted awesome; probably 1 of the best veal I've ever had. The portion's pretty big as well; this dish'll definitely fill you up. Conclusion: If you're hungry late at night and don't know where to go, hit Al Dente. You won't be disappointed!!!
(4)
Jason H.

So so so good. Highly recommend the shrimp and scallop a la vodka. Homemade pasta was the best I've ever had. Small place with an authentic atmosphere. Reservations are essential. Andrea was a delightful server. I can't recommend or complement her enough. She was so attentive and kind. We also enjoyed the the lobster ravioli as an appetizer. So tasty! A great time had by all!
(5)
Katie H.

We did some researching on yelp before picking al dente and I'm so glad we did. It was budget-friendly and absolutely delicious! The portions are more than enough, if we hadn't been leaving town the next day we would have taken them with us. It has a great selection and was very fresh. All of the staff was helpful and I liked the small cozy atmosphere. When back in Boston I will definitely go back!
(4)
AL R.

Long time North End resident who has tried many of the area restaurants. This place is delicious. The food tastes like a Nana from the old country of Italy is in the kitchen putting love and care into each and every dish. The marinara sauce is tangy yet sweet with perfect thickness. Favorite dishes include the chicken buona bocca and the lasagna is to die for. I love this place, friends and family that I have brought love it as well. The service is always fantastic and for the North End very reasonably priced.
(5)
Kelly K.

Al Dente does not deserve 5 stars...they deserve TEN stars!! The food and the service and the entire experience was absolutely fabulous. We made reservations for 5pm on a Thursday evening before we saw Cavalia. We didn't need the reservations because we were eating a little early, and when we arrived we were seated immediately. Our server was a jolly woman who was incredibly sweet and helpful. Not only did she make some awesome recommendations from the menu, she also learned that we were going to see the show and helped give us directions for getting there! The food was great. The Peroni beer was cold and delicious. The fresh Italian bread had a nice crust and a soft, pillowy white center. My hubs ordered pasta Amatriciana and I ordered gnocci bolognese at her recommendation. The gnocci was soft and pillow-like - the ridges in it held the thick sauce just like it was supposed to. The sauce was SO thick. It had a combination of veal, pork and beef and the tangy tomato flavor was there, but not overpowering. It was incredible. My husband really enjoyed his Amatriciana as well, although I think my dish was the best :) We were too full for dessert, but when she brought the bill our server also brought us over 2 complimentary shots of chilled Limoncello! Yum! I think Al Dente is one of the more authentic restaurants in the North End - they truly seem to love what they do, and I can't wait to visit Boston and have another meal there!
(5)
Alana M.

Highly recommend this restaurant. Al Dente had delicious food, friendly service, and huge portions (3 out of the 4 of us took half of our dish home). I got the Pasta A'Matriciana and loved it. The other 3 people in my party also greatly enjoyed their dishes (I believe someone got the lasagna and someone got the chicken buona bocca). It is a very small restaurant that can get a little loud, but the food is definitely worth it.
(5)
Dennis B.

This place is wonderful, and we will going back! Service was great and the food wonderful. My wife had the Lobster Ravioli and I had the fresh pasta farfalle in a carbonara sauce with veal. Recommend that you make a reservation.
(5)
Jeff M.

Service was incredible, food was even better. I had gnocchi, while my father had the vodka sauce. Truly an amazing meal. My stomach won't let me forget it!!! Authentic Boston Italian. The kind of place you see in movies that takes care of regulars.
(5)
John D.

My wife and I enjoyed an excellent lunch here today, thanks to yelp. With so many options in the North End, decisions with regard to where to dine can be difficult. Surprisingly, there were only a couple of other tables. The place is not especially large and I am sure dinner can produce a crowd. Started with the Shrimp Grand Marnier, which was absolutely delicious. Followed by gnocchi pomodoro with shrimp and pumpkin ravioli, which were also outstanding. Sangiovese by the glass was fine, but not memorable. Service was friendly, he even brought limoncello on the house with the check. Highly recommended. May have heard some yelling in the back of the house (common in this neighborhood) but given the quality of food and service, that was easy to ignore.
(4)
Tiffany B.

We did not have a reservation because when we tried to call in they unplugged their phone. We went to little italy so we dropped by to see which restaurant had a short wait time compared to a few other restaurants that we wanted to try. They said we would be seated at 8:30 maybe 8:45 we did not sit until 9:15-9:30. It is a small restaurant. I did not mind the wait that much it was more because it was freezing outside and its a small restaurant so you cant wait inside. The cheap parking for 3 dollars. My friends drove to the parking structure and ended up parking in the wrong one and we had to pay 11 on a saturday night. The man outside who gave us our table was very friendly, but there was a girl inside that was not our server, but was helping out that was rude. The food, lobster ravioli is to die for its delicious. We got the appetizer it came with four pieces and a few chunks of lobster. My favorite dish of the night. The appetizer was around 11 and the dish is about 20. I am not sure how much bigger the dinner plate is. We also go the Frutti Di Mare and Chicken Milanese which came with the pasta we chose fettuccini carbonera. Every dish was delicious. The sauce was made just right not too thick or too flavorful. Best italian food I have had. We went the an italian restaurant the next night and I would say Al dente is better and cheaper.
(4)
Adam S.

Can't say enough about how good the food was. However, if you are looking for a romantic spot for date night this would not be the place. It's an old row home converted into a restaurant so it's very tight and very loud. This would be a place for family/friends dinner. Prices are reasonable and again food was delicious. Just wish it was more intimate.
(4)
Larry A.

One of the best meals for the money in the North End. We go often and have sampled most of the better restaurants in this area. Al Dente makes terrific food, the service is outstanding, and the prices quite reasonable. The atmosphere is casual so maybe it's not the #1 romantic place, but if you are looking for excellent Italian food at great prices, do yourself a favor and give Al Dente a try.
(5)
Veronica V.

100% the best of the best in the north end. I took my parents here on a chance based of yelp reviews but I am so glad I did. The meatballs, the service, and the best part.. the pumpkin ravioli was outstanding despite it being out of season.. tucked away on a little street the atmosphere is busy and the tables are very close together but it does not take away from the excellent meal!
(5)
Josh W.

Al Dente is a great spot. Not too formal, so you can drop in while hanging downtown in casual attire. Several times the staff has gone out of their way to help accommodate large groups for me. Always friendly. Only complaint is the bread. Not quite what you would hope for in a great Italian spot. As for everything else ... Very strong. You won't regret the shrimp and scallops a la vodka. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Hain L.

Memorial day, walking around the North End, looking for a lunch spot, kind of starving; Neptune Oyster is closed for the holiday and Giacomo's doesn't open till Dinner; we seemed to remember there being a long line outside Al Dente from the night before and Yelp likes it so why not? The staff was friendly and prompt with lots of tips for us out-of-towners. The food on the other hand left me a bit puzzled about the long line from the night before. For a starter, my friend and I shared an appetizer sized pumpkin ravioli. Although there was a bit too much brown sugar, I was mostly content with the ravioli. The seafood risotto on the other hand was disappointing. The portion's huge - big enough for two people to share with an appetizer - but the rice was overcooked (doesn't risotto call for cooking rice to al dente? and what's the name of the restaurant again? oh, the irony....). I mean, it wasn't bad but I wasn't impressed either.
(3)
Dan C.

I really enjoyed this restaurant. It started when I received a call following booking a reservation for two. The person who called wanted to ensure I knew how to get to the restaurant and where to park. A very nice unexpected touch. We arrived an hour prior to our reservation and they were very accommodating. I was there on a business meeting so the intimate feel to the place was great. I ordered the soup special (wow the soup bowls were HUGE and yummy) and the lasagna. I cannot wait to return.
(5)
Chip C.

Doing this as we visit. Very welcoming. So authentic Italian. Angela our server was like my aunt. Informative and friendly. Wine was OK. Antipasto and eggplant rollatini were both wonderful. Order sea bass, 2 veal and chicken off the specials list. (BTW Go to the restroom so you can look in the kitchen). Waiting for the food it got pretty loud. Only 13 tables crammed together. So far, love the place and ambiance. Finishing. Food was all we expected and hoped for. Well worth the trip.
(4)
Brian D.

My folks were in town and we were looking for a dinner spot prior to their departure, so we walked down Salem, and Al Dente always has a huge line outside so we gave it a shot. Real nice, great atmosphere. Good food, reasonable prices, all-around a quality place to come for a meal. I cant recall exactly what I ordered at this point, but it was good. The fam shared a salad, and overall it was all delicious. Nobody at the table had a complaint, just an overall good meal.
(4)
Amy P.

Delicious!! We went this past Friday night and it was well worth it. We had a reservation but still had to wait about 15 minutes. It happened to be parents visiting day at many schools and also the Head of the Charles Regatta so the wait was to be expected. The guy at the door was friendly and joking and working very hard to get everyone seated and keep those waiting in line happy. The food was delicious. We had the mussel appetizer that we shared with the table and it was awesome. Great garlicky marinara, sort of a combo of white wine/garlic and marinara. All of the pasta dishes were fabulous. I highly recommend
(4)
Noah C.

Very good. Small, intimate location with a great staff and a wide variety of offerings (within the Italian spectrum, that is). I got the Gnocchi Al Dente with veal (very good, although the gnocchi was semi-bland, but the veal made up for it), and my date got the ravioli, which she said we also very good. Overall, the experience was great, but nothing mind-blowing like some of these reviews would lead you to believe.
(4)
Luap K.

Had lunch for the first time. Wifey had eggplant parm like Na use to make and I with the special fusilli with broccoli rabe and veal. Forgot to mention the homade dressing for the salad. Consistently delivers quality Italian food with a great atmosphere and friendly service. A true family gem in the north end, Angela we love you!
(5)
Karen P.

Had a reservation, got right in. That's a plus. Service was good, the waitress was nice and polite but it was a little bit rushed and it was a diner atmosphere. We had to scream across the table to talk - very loud. Food was OK - have had much better. Karen G
(2)
Jonathan N.

This place is fantastic. Most places in the North End can be rather inflexible when it comes to mixing and matching pastas and sauces, but at Al Dente they encourage you to do just that. Pick a pasta and a sauce and enjoy. Their homemade gnocchi is delicious.
(4)
Ken S.

Excellant food,excellant service. "Nuff said"!!
(5)
jeff b.

Went to Al Dente on a recent trip to Boston and really enjoyed it. A few nights earlier we had dinner at a much more expensive Italian restaurant and this was MUCH better. I have the veal parm., it was cooked perfectly and came out hot. The only draw back was the pasta was not AL Dente, a little too soft of my taste. I will definitely go back and ask for the pasta to be cooked a bit more AL Dente. Try it, you'll like it!
(4)
Steve H.

When in the North End last week we really wanted to eat at Neptunes, but my wife was famished and we didn't want to wait an hour in the mid afternoon for a table. We started walking down the block to look for other options. Not being from this area we were overwhelmed by the Italian options. Price ranges varied with each establishment. And we were not looking for an expensive meal in the middle of the afternoon. Al Dente was our choice just due to the owner being outside on the street talking with people as they walked down the block. We were seated immediately. The menu was great from our standpoint. Being from Texas, our true Italian options are few. The meal was great, the portions were large. Don't miss the salad with the roasted figs on top. Exceptional. Since my dad has a fig tree, we will definitely try this as a salad option at home during fig season. We left pleased with our choice.
(4)
Lisa P.

Skip this restaurant! It used to be great but has definitely gone downhill.Our group had reservations but still waited one hour to be seated.The family style salad consisted of about a pound of iceberg lettuce,topped with very little anything else. Our dinners had plenty of food but not very good! It used to be one of our favorites. I have now taken the number out of my phone!
(2)
Kelly S.

If you love quaint, authentic Italian, this place is for you. The pasta is so fresh, reasonably priced and you get a feast size portion. Highly recommended. Side note - the waitress Lisa is the sweetest! Request her if you can!
(5)
Debra G.

I have a love affair for the North End of Boston aka Little Italy. I have been to Boston several times but on this trip I was alone. With only 24hrs on my clock. That meant I needed to have dinner somewhere in Little Italy. As I walked around I remembered paces on Hanover that I have eaten at on past trips. So I walked on streets off Hanover and ask some locals what they recommended. Instead of telling me which restaurant they recommended they asked me what kind of Italian dishes did I love. I told them that I love gnocchi. Two of the people standing there, at the same time said Al Dente! They gave me direction to go over to Salem street, take a left and voila, there I was. This is not a fancy place but it was packed. The host sat me in the last seat in the house. It truly made me feel special. I had a wonderful waitress who made sure I knew she was there and made recognition even when she was too busy to help me. I ordered the gnocchi Al Dente with sausage. It was to die for. I will be recommending this place to all of my friends who travel to Boston in the future. It made my night and my 24 hour trip alone in Boston very special. FYI - My hubby was suppose to travel with me but he had to go on a business trip to Australia. It was disappointing but I still had a magical day in Bean Town! Thank Al Dente!
(5)
B D.

My experience here was just OK. I was really looking forward to this one, but some things were not that pleasant. This place is very loud and tiny. First, when we got seated, the bread and water were on the table already, which in a way is nice, but automatically gives you the feel you're being rushed. Bread was nothing more than just OK. Took us about 10 minutes to get drinks. The person with me got the wrong wine, and while the menu says "ask for our beers on tap", they don't have beers on tap, I believe they get it next door from another restaurant, and the server makes that clear "I can get it, but we don't have it". Just makes you feel like they're doing you a favor. Our server seemed very busy and all over the place. She also took a seat with us to take the order. Dinner was brought to us in a timely manner I would say, but our server spilled pasta and sauce on my shorts. She got me some soda water to clean it, but it didn't work. After that, when the dishes were taken away, they spilled pasta on me again! Overall just a bad experience for many factors. I realize some of it is visit-specific and may not happen to other people, but I couldn't recommend this place.
(3)
Kathleen C.

I was expecting to be blown away by Italian food in North End. This was the only restaurant I tried. Open table reservations available, though it didn't get too too busy on Memorial Day. Our server was very sweet, but very hard to understand. The place was loud and dim. Food: We started with Mussels. It was good. Good portion as well. My boyfriend got the lobster ravioli and I got pesto farfalle w/ shrimp. Portions are huge. Honestly, I probably only ate 1/4-1/3 of it. It wasn't bad, but it was heavy, and wasn't wowing. I was a little disappointed. Just expected it to be better. Prices: Very reasonable. I forget exactly how much, but for such huge portions, it's pretty cheap. I think our check may have been around $60? On travel. Too many meals to remember now.
(3)
Suzanne W.

Tucked away in North End, Al Dente is definitely a solid place for good, authentic pasta. We came here for lunch on a Saturday and there was no line whatsoever. We were promptly seated and a very friendly waitress named JoJo came to our table. The pasta servings here are quite large for lunch so we split each pasta dish between 2 people. I had the alfredo sauce ($15) with freshly made tortellini (an extra $3 for the fresh pastas, you can pick and choose the sauce and pasta you want) and was quite full! Ask for more bread to dip inside up the sauce. The sauce was soooo gooooood. This is all in all a great place for an authentic taste of North End's food offerings, especially if you don't want to battle the crowds of the more popular institutions!
(4)
Bob L.

My girlfriend and I stopped here on our way out of Boston for lunch and thought this place was pretty good. The bread they brought out was ok nothing too special. We split a Caesar salad for an appetizer and it was goos but could have used a bit more dressing to make it great. We both actually got the pasta with vodka sauce and that was really good and the portion was huge so I liked that for sure. Overall Al Dente is a place I would recommend going to buy may not be my absolute favorite Italian place in the world
(4)
S Y.

This is great pasta spot with no wait. Portions are huge and waitress was delightful. It made my experience at the north end more than I expected. Don't judge a book by its cover. The seafood and pasta is in par with the restaurants you need to wait in line for.
(5)
Ana L.

I had Italian cuisine for the 2nd time today, and even though the pasta wasn't amazing, I still ate most of it. I am very picky when it comes to pasta, so the fact that I almost cleared my plate means a lot. SUSAN was amazing. She stopped my friend from ordering something she would've hated. She helped me choose a perfect glass of wine for my meal, and she picked up her mistake before I mentioned it. Be sure to ask for the dip for the bread. It is amazing!
(4)
Andrea D.

This place was great. It's a little cramped, and you should DEFINITELY make reservations, but the food and service are phenomenal. It's a little pricey, but extremely reasonable for being in the north end and considering the portion sizes (ENORMOUS). Highly recommend. I'll be back for sure =)
(5)
Tiffany S.

Perfect place for Italian food if you're in the North End! Like the name suggests, the pasta is cooked to perfection and is delicious. A big group of us (16 people) called ahead for Wednesday night dinner and everyone really enjoyed their meals (I got the shrimp and calamari fra diavolo and it was so good)! The portions are HUGE and can easily be shared with a friend. On top of that, the prices are extremely reasonable. Service was great and the waitstaff and owner are also super nice; our waitress's name was Lisa and she was like that one aunt in the family that everyone loves. Definitely coming back here and bringing friends!
(5)
Sylvia C.

Solid great food and service without all the bells & whistle. Generous and fresh portions - with plenty of leftovers for a second meal. Favorite dishes to order mussels marinara and chicken marsala.
(4)
Sydney T.

My boyfriend and I are slowly making are way through every restaurant in the North End. Truth is, we've had better. This place was not disappointing - the food was still plentiful and pretty good. But there were definitely some aspects that were not up to par with the other restaurants in the area. First, the bread looked like it came from the clearance section of a chain grocery store's bakery. It wasn't soft and chewy. It had this look like it just came off an assembly line. It wasn't great, though I do like that they brought out a dish with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, cheese, and spices without being prompted. The food came out quickly, and was, as I said, pretty good. I got the pesto, which was mixed with alfredo, so it was creamy and cheesy. I enjoyed it a lot. My boyfriend got eggplant parm. Sauce was a bit bland, but it wasn't bad. Our waitress was nice and we got a complimentary shot of limoncello with our check. Overall, a good experience, but with all the great places in the North End, we likely won't be going back.
(3)
Natasha M.

I watched way too much food network this morning and needed to have some fra diavolo. Yelp brought me to Al Dente. We started off with a bread and butter basket, which I thought was odd given that it's an Italian restaurant. Where's the olive oil? I ordered the shrimp and calamari fra diavolo and the seafood was super rubbery :( I really wanted to enjoy it but couldn't get over the rubbery texture. Way too overcooked. The sauce was delicious though. Also, don't order sangria at an Italian restaurant. What was I thinking. My boyfriend had the lobster ravioli and he enjoyed it. The limoncello at the end was a nice touch though!
(2)
Sally C.

Tiny cramped old school awesome. We had a nice Nero d'Avola, a couple of solid dishes smothered in an authentic red sauce. The very friendly server with this textbook Boston accent knew the menu cold & made us feel like regulars. Will never forget it.
(4)
Robin O.

Al Dente is possibly the deciding factor in my inevitable move to Boston. Some of the best Italian food I've had in a long time and I'm an Italian American from New York. The wait staff is friendly, the place has a nice casual vibe but still polished. Would be a great date night spot! The food...oh man. First of all the portions are HUGE. We got the bruschetta appetizer and I was expecting a few pieces of cut Italian bread and a few spoons of tomatoes. No. A whole LOAF of bread practically and more tomatoes then I have ever seen on an appetizer in my life! I got the fettuccine carbonara which is my all time favorite dish. Perfection and HUGE 2 people could have easily shared it. We all left stuffed to capacity. This is a must visit spot!
(5)
Julia M.

Al Dente is my go-to restaurant in the North End. I have been to Al Dente on numerous occasions, & I have yet to receive a meal with which I was not fully satisfied. Their sauces are delicious, as is their homemade pasta. Prices are reasonable (pasta dishes range from ~$14-$16, with homemade pasta costing an additional $3). The staff is friendly, & service is generally prompt. The restaurant itself is rather small, & as it is a popular spot for dinner, I highly recommend making a reservation. Tidbits: -Try the bolognese sauce with the homemade fusilli.
(5)
Michelle G.

So my hubby, my son, and I were exploring little Italy and we could not resist all of the wonderful smells. We had skipped breakfast and were hoping to fill up at lunchtime. I utilized yelp to locate the perfect spot for lunch. We walked right in and were seated immediately. The waitress was friendly and fast. The bread and butter were devine, I could have eaten basket after basket. I ordered the chicken and broccoli over penne. It was served in a lemony, garlic, and butter sauce. It was incredible! My hubby had chicken parmesan over fresh pasta. My son had penne Bolognese. The wait staff were attentive and fast but we felt comfortable and not rushed. We all loved our dishes and can agree that this was our favorite meal of our trip to Boston.
(5)
Samantha L.

Al Dente is a small Italian restaurant in North End of Boston. There was a man at the door asking if people whether they had reservations or not. Even though our party had a reservation, we had to wait outside in the cold/damp weather until our whole party was present to be seated. The service was efficient and our server Jo Jo was knowledgeable about the food and wine at Al Dente. I don't know if it was the fact that we had the table next to the door and the window but we felt that it was chilly inside. If you tend to feel cold, I recommend that you wear extra layers. It was quite loud in the restaurant, making it hard to have conversations across the table. Our party ordered various glasses of white and red wines and eventually bought a bottle of Pinot Grigio. Since they didn't have Coca Cola products and Jo Jo was raving about the homemade lemonade, I had to get the lemonade and it was hands down the best lemonade I've had in a long time. The server brought us a basket of soft bread and prepackaged butter. For appetizers, we shared the Shrimp Grand Marnier, which consisted of five, large, egg battered and pan seared shrimp, surrounding an orange slice, in a Grand Marnier-Honey glaze. It was amazingly delicious. We hoped for the entrees to be just as delicious but it was rather bland. For entrees, we got Linguine Alla Vongole, Chicken Parmigiana in Fra Diavolo sauce, Swordfish, and Veal and Eggplant Parmigiana. The Swordfish consisted of a fresh swordfish, lightly egg-battered, pan-fried and baked. It was served onto a bed of fresh julienne vegetables in a lemon caper sauce and risotto. It wasn't the type of risotto I expected. The risotto was mushy, overcooked flavorless Arborio rice. The restaurant charges an additional $3 per dish for fresh pasta which is a bit crazy since most entrees are over $20. This is the first Italian restaurant that I've been to that doesn't serve desserts or coffee. Our server recommended us to check out Modern Pastry or The Living Room. We ended our meal with complimentary limoncello shots which tasted like lemon flavored cough syrup.
(3)
Amelia C.

Tucked into The North End of Boston is the best restaurant you could ever want to visit. The staff is energetic, friendly and efficent. The food is consistently amazing, the waitstaff is terrific, and the energy level in the place makes you feel like you are part of a huge Italian party. We come here for every family birthday dinner - which is quite something, since a few of the members live out of state. Al Dente is our favorite place in Boston!
(5)
Al I.

I travel to Boston often, and always make a stop here. Fun, friendly staff, good service, "neighborhood" feel. Their veil parmigiana with home made pasta is my favorite.
(4)
Sungeeta A.

Decent food, nice atmosphere, friendly service. We made reservations for Saturday night. When we showed up for our 8 pm reservation we were told that it would be a couple more minutes. A couple turned out to be ~ 20-25 more minutes waiting in the cold (because there was no space inside to wait). Once we got in they brought us bread right away, which was nice because I was starving. Our waitress was very friendly and took our drink order promptly. For an appetizer we split the bruschetta and an appetizer portion of the pumpkin ravioli. I enjoyed the bruschetta, which was served on thick, crusty bread. The pumpkin ravioli was amazing but quite sweet - I'm glad we shared an appetizer portion. For my entree I got the shrimp and scallops a la vodka, and it was good but not outstanding. The homemade fusilli was decent, but I found it to be a little too thick and mushy. My bf got the veal valdostona, and I have to say the marsala wine sauce was quite tasty. We used a gift certificate to pay for the meal. When you purchase gift certificates, Al Dente gives you $5 for every $25 you purchase. There is no mention on the website that you cannot use more than one of these $5 gift certificates at a time. It turns out you can only use one of these $5 gift certificates at a time, which we found out after we tried to use them. They did mention it in tiny writing in the back, but I'm fairly certain the person who bought the online gift certificate was not aware of this disclaimer. At the end of the day I thought Al Dente was good but I don't think it lived up to the hype. I will probably go back at some point, because we have several more $5 gift certificates to use. Well played, Al Dente!
(3)
Nicole O.

I have been here 3 times since moving to Boston last summer and every single experience I've had has been amazing! The waitresses have always been very nice and helpful, I've tried a majority of their menu and have yet to be disappointed with their selection. Their prices and portion size and quality just can't be beat in this area - and I've tried a LOT of the touristy restaurants in the area. Tips: This is a great restaurant in the North End, you will absolutely need to make a reservation or be okay with waiting. Definitely get one of the specials listed in the menu, they cook amazing Italian dishes, don't cheat your experience by getting red sauce and linguine.
(5)
Cristy Z.

Can I put a 4.5 rating? The only reason I'm not giving Al Dente a 5 is because I already have my fav in Boston but this is a close second! This is a small family run restaurant. We went without a reservation which was no problem, just had to wait a bit (which I was fine with on this night, and they were very true to the time which I appreciate as I knew what to expect, took my number in case something opened up earlier and remembered me when I got back a few minutes before the wait time was over). The food -AMAZING! I split the penne arrabiata with my sister and we could barely finish it. The pasta was fresh, the sauce was great and chunky and the spice was just right. The table also ordered two other dishes, the fra diavola and the fettuccine bolognese. Both were loved. We finished with complimentary limoncello. Not only did I love the thought but it was quite good. Creamier than I'm used to and with less of the tangy but you frequently find. The service - we were served by the owners sister. She was a true pleasure, talked to us about our home town, great service, great recommendations and was sweet to my sister who is just moving to Boston. Truly a gem!
(4)
Dmitri L.

We stopped here on a whim, following a series of positive reviews on Yelp, to get a taste of an authentic Italian kitchen after a day out on the city. The Atmosphere This restaurant, a few steps off the North End's main strip, is relatively quiet. The restaurant isn't spacious, though you do get your own table without butting elbows with those around you. I would say this is a comfortable, casual dinner destination for parties of two to four. The Service The service we received was very pleasant. There was a dedicated door man, thanks to whom we were able to be immediately seated. Our waiter was charming and energetic, she recommended wine pairings, which she even let us taste before committing. The staff is very attentive and pleasant to hold a conversation with. The Food We came in expecting an authentic Italian kitchen, and were satisfied with just that. Each table receives a basket of complimentary - yet unremarkable - bread and butter to start, quickly followed by the main courses. For the table, we chose the house special gnocchi with sausage and mussels, pictures attached. The portions were large, full of flavor, and paired well with the recommended wines.
(4)
Asher N.

The 5 star rating is for all things combined: Service: Waitress was friendly, helpful, not clingy (a pet peeve) and made us special dipping sauce from scratch. Enough said. Ambiance: Nothing mind-blowing, but homey, comfy, And but it didn't feel like so many restaurants can (like an italian yard sale). Prices: For the north end, and for the BIG portions (not the average 3 ravioli on a plate type place), cost is very reasonable. Food: The most important part. My friend had the fusilli (noticeably fresh and delicious) with their house vodka sauce, shrimps, and scallops which she said were perfectly cooked. My homemade gnocchi alfredo was among the top 3 pasta dishes I've ever had. It's not a place to impress business types, or have a massive group outing. But for a few friends in search of a big place of great pasta in the north end, this is one of my favorite places in Boston. Giacomo's and Al Dente are tied for food/price value. Pro Tip: You definitely need a reservation in advance.
(5)
Lauren S.

Very small place. The bread was served cold with butter packets. The Cesar salad was ordinary. However, the homemade pasta (I had the fusilli with Alfredo sauce) was incredible. If you are looking for a great pasta dish I recommend El Dente, otherwise I'd go somewhere with a better Ambiance and wait staff.
(3)
Matthew J.

Being gluten free, I was pumped to see that they had some options on the menu. However, I was disdained when my meal cost me an extra $5 and the gf "garlic bread" was a toasted gluten free pita. My Italian ancestors are rolling in their grave! Perhaps I cursed? Anyways, our waitress was extremely nice and did a great job taking care of us. Next time I will just stick to sushi or Mexican.
(2)
Tracy R.

I went with my husband last night and was not particularly happy with this place but I am willing to give them a 3 and chalk it up to us not ordering the best things. I am sensitive to it but the waitress was a heavy smoker so that put me off to start. The waitress serving a nearby table also bumped into ours about 10 times even though there were 3 open tables next to us that she easily could have walked between instead- not sure why she kept walking by the one occupied one and bumping it each time. Oh well. The food itself was okay, but nothing special. We had the bruschetta to start - waaaaaaay too much oil and garlic. We both ordered the ravioli with pesto sauce and while the raviolis themselves were delicious, the pesto was more of an Alfredo with a bit of basil. I don't mind a creamy pesto but it was hard to taste anything but the cream and cheese. My husband had a meatball on the side which came in red sauce and he loved it so I think we may have just ordered the wrong things. Next time we'll remember to ask what they recommend / specialize in. If you go, they validate parking at a nearby garage - call and ask the name / address - it's $1-$2 validated versus that main lot near Hay Market which cost us $29 and they don't validate for.
(3)
Stacy H.

Look, you know you've come to an authentic place when an Italian-American guy stands outside of the restaurant in a gold chain greeting people with a heavy Boston accent and a giant grin. All the servers I've had at Al Dente have been patient, friendly, and amazingly maternal/paternal. They don't judge you at all if you want more of their delicious free bread, and they'll put a hand on your shoulder to make sure you're eating enough. Oh, and will you eat enough - their servings are HUGE, and their home made pasta is absolutely wonderful. Though it does take longer, I'd highly recommend getting the gnocchi or the fusili, which are both made fresh in the restaurant. Make sure you're wearing pants with an elastic waist band, or better yet, a dress, since you're gonna want to make room ;)
(5)
Andy O.

After missing the cut at seating early for Giacomos, where we were rudely pushed out of the restaurant saying "no more tables"! We found this spot on Salem that was equally packed but much more accommodating. Nothing fancy inside but that's ok. Started with Mussels Marinara which was VERY good. I had the Shrimp and Scallop Ala Vodka, my wife had Tortelini pesto. Both were great! My sons had Lobster Ravioli and Linguine with Clams, not just clam sauce but real clams in shells as well. Both delicious. Even had a kids menu where my youngest ordered a cheese pizza that was from sister restaurant next door. It was huge and he and his brothers help finish it. Great authentic north End service with nice touch of limoncello shots for the parents to end meal. Would highly recommend.
(4)
Steve F.

Great Food, Service & Personality. Do yourself a favor and don't miss this place...and don't be a weirdo and order something other than pasta.
(5)
Matt D.

Simply delicious! My family is Italian and I grew up eating Italian food, and I can say with 100% confidence that Al Dente's is authentic homemade Italian food. I had the Veal Valentino and it was phenomenal. This is definitely one of my favorites in the North End!
(5)
Emily D.

Ended up here because it was the only restaurant that didn't have a line. The servings were huge but the food was just ok. Place is too small for the numbers of tables they tried to cram in, so servers kept bumping into my chair, and I kept bumping into the chair of the person behind me. Cramped rather than homely is how I would describe it.
(2)
Big S.

great place in the north end, we were very happy! our waitress was super nice and make the place a lot better! we came here on a Saturday night and it was packed, glad we made a reservation. We got the bruschetta and fried calamari, both were very good. Fried calamari was really good! for main dishes, we got gluten free pasta, veal/egglant parm, bbq pulled pork pizza, pasta/clams and veal with mushrooms. everything was very good, we were all very happy with our meals. i would come back. it is small inside and loud, but its authentic.
(4)
Heather S.

We ate here over the weekend and the food was delicious. The prices are very reasonable - most entrees are in the teens. You can't beat that in the North End. They take reservations, so be sure to make them b/c the place was packed! It can be a bit loud and crowded, but that's part of the charm. They had a pumpkin ravioli special which we had as an appetizer. It was amazing. I had the chicken milanese which was delicious. The portions are huge. This had 3 large pieces of chicken on a bed of pasta. Its really a great deal. Also, they gave everyone free lemoncello shots for dessert. Yum! The only downside was the bread. its meh, but not a deal breaker. We'll go back for sure. The servers and the manager are very nice.
(4)
Alia Z.

Homey food in a cozy setting. The sauces are so delicious!
(4)
Francisco S.

amazing food!!!!!!! it was a pleasure, we ate here two consecutives days we didn't went fot a third, cause we left boston, dishes are huge and very tasty, also they put a lot of the main ingredient whith their pasta or rissoto, the seafood rissoto had a huge mountain of seafood on top and the flavors rule, it will be very difficult for us to go italian again, 'cause this the best italian restaurant ever Francisco
(5)
Colleen M.

We made reservations at Al Dente at 9pm on a Friday. That was our first smart move. If you're going here, make reservations. Then calm down. I cannot tell you how many people were losing their heads waiting for tables outside of this place. Calm down, people. We showed up 15mn before 9pm and gave our name to the hostess. We were seated by 8:55. Here's what you need to know: it is cramped, it is loud, it is not a romantic Italian restaurant. You will be shouting to be heard. If you enter with the right expectations, you're going to leave very full and very happy. The bread we were given when we sat down was nothing amazing, but the bruschetta made up for it. The bread was tasty, with a nice crust and the half loaf was overflowing with tomatoes and basil. I ordered the pesto linguine with sausage and the Mister ordered the chicken parm with house-made fussili pasta. I'll admit it: he out-ordered me that night. The pesto was fantastic and the linguine was perfectly cooked... al dente, (Groan.) But the fussily... oh, wow! It may be the best pasta I've ever had. I would have preferred the sausage in my dish a little spicier - but it wasn't advertised as hot Italian sausage. The chicken in the chicken parm was very tasty, still moist and the breading was crispy. The down side was that we weren't able to finish our meals and had no fridge at the hotel. Everyone was taking leftovers home - I didn't see anyone clean their plate. Prices were reasonable. It was about 60$ for an appetizer, two entrees and sparkling water. They don't do coffee or dessert; the waitress recommended and I second Victoria's for that. They want you in and out, so they can get more soon-to-be-expanding butts in those seats. If you're looking for red sauce Italian in the North End, you can do a lot worse than Al Dente.
(5)
Alexis W.

Phenomenal food with an incredible atmosphere! There is not one bad thing I have to say about Al dente. As my family and I have been dining here since 2009, Al Dente has truly become my favorite place to eat in the North End of Boston. The staff is exceptionally friendly, as if you are a part of their family! Our favorite server is Angela, who makes it a point to ask how we are doing each time we go there. The food is well worth the wait, freshly prepared and truly authentic to Italy!
(5)
Kris C.

My husband and I chose this restaurant "sight unseen" from Philadelphia to host a birthday dinner for him while visiting family in Boston. It was just a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend it. The staff was kind when we were planning the party over the phone. When we arrived a little early, they greeted us and told us to come in, even though they were still setting up our table for 23!! They offered us wine and beer as we waited for family to arrive. Oh and the food--every course was just amazing. The waitresses were so cordial and made the luncheon even more fun. One of the managers kept coming by and giving us the "thumbs up." Everything we chose was just delicious and family members were taking leftovers home left and right! Thank you, Al Dente, for making this occasion so special. Bostonians, please patronize this wonderful place!
(5)
Alex M.

Good home made food in an intimate setting. This was my first visit to the North End and I was not disappointed. I took some friends from England who were thrilled with their authentic North End experience. Highly recommended.
(4)
Jennifer M.

Only place packed on Salem St. the night I went - which I figured was a good sign. The place is small but they make the best with what they have, and the staff is very good about getting people seated promptly, and once inside the restaurant I didn't feel rushed. I tried the lobster ravioli since that's what they're known for - and I can definitely see why they're known for it. It was really delicious, in basically a creamy vodka sauce, and the portion was very generous. Only complaint is that the raviolis were very large and dense, the sauce heavy and thick and the portion large, making for a very heavy dish. Other than that, no real complaints. The pasta and ingredients tasted pretty fresh, the wait staff was friendly, and the atmosphere was enjoyable.
(4)
Pete L.

Heavenly pasta, chewy bread, and good service in this classy little restaurant. One of the best Italian dinners I have ever had. Great job!
(5)
Pilar B.

Chicken Marsala was super tender. Long wait to sit but the staff were all very friendly.
(4)
Ian W.

We decided to have Sunday lunch (brunch) at Al Dente Restaurant in the North End based on the good reviews. We arrived here at 11:30 AM as the place was opening. My friend and I decided to sit in the front of the cozy dining room near the window and front door. We could still smell the odor of "pine sol" as the floors were just mopped. For starters, we shared an Antipasto ($12.95), which was a platter piled high with prosciutto, salami, provolone cheese, red peppers, artichoke hearts, cucumbers, tomato slices, red onions over plenty of fresh romaine & iceberg lettuce, tangy dressing on the side. The basket of Italian bread with Cabot butter was served cold, soft inside and chewy outside. For the meals, we shared a Lobster Ravioli ($10.95-Appetizer Size), which were good sized raviolis filled with a cheee/lobster mix in a very rich tomato, cheese, and cream sauce with chewy shrimp in the mix. We used some of the bread to dip in the tasty sauce. Also, the Linguine Ala Vongole ($16.95) which had plenty of tender clams and 7 little necks (in shell) in red clam sauce over a bed of linguine cooked just right. The broth of the clam sauce was really good, almost like a soup, which had a slightly sweet taste. The portions of food were good sized for the price and we decided to pack up some of the food to go. The service was good, prompt, and accommodating. My friend wanted a coffee, but they do not have coffee on the menu. The waitress offered to brew a cup Dunkin Donuts coffee ($1.75) for my friend. I was content with house water. The food arrived in timely order, the entrees arrived as we finished the antipasto and we were offered and given fresh grated cheese on the entrees. Overall, we were very satisfied with the delicious food and good service at Al Dente Restaurant. We would definitely stop in here again for another Italian meal. (4.5/5.0 stars)
(5)
Mel C.

One of the better spots in the North End. It's definitely very dark inside, but the ambiance is actually quite relaxed. The food has a home-made feel to it, and of course, the portions are ginormous. The lobster ravioli is great, as an appetizer. I'm not sure I would quite enjoy it as an entree. The menu is pretty North End standard, but the flavors are a lot more developed and the pasta is, as promised, al dente.
(5)
Kayley P.

Small, neighborhood style place. The service is always top notch and the food is just delicious. Large, fresh portions and a decent wine list for such a small place. My most recent visit was when I came here for my graduation lunch with a larger group. This was no problem for the waitress and we even escaped with a graduation shot on the house. They make you feel at home. Why would you go anywhere else?
(5)
Ruthia C.

I came here without a reservation at around 6pm on a Thursday evening and was seated right away by the "fountain" (painting of a fountain). I ordered the pasta primavera and also had the calamari and lobster ravioli (appetizer). The food was really good and the portions were really big. I had to take my food home even though I usually finish everything at restaurants. This place is not as good as Giacomo's, but it's a good place for hearty Italian pasta.
(5)
Mia D.

Excellent food and a great staff. Everyone is friendly and it's very loud. Typical true Italian atmosphere.
(4)
Amy C.

We chose Al Dente because it was #2 on Yelp for restaurants in the North End, but having been there, I am not sure why. I had checked the menu online before we went and saw they serve lunch which was what we wanted as we didn't want a big meal. Turns out on weekends they only serve dinner. Wanting a small meal, I ordered the grilled fig salad. It was huge, but it wasn't great. There were three figs and I am not sure what was grilled about them. My husband had the antipasto which was also huge, but the meats were hiding a lot of lettuce. The most disappointing aspect of Al Dente was that they don't serve desserts or any hot drinks. It happened to be a cold day and our party was looking forward to coffee or tea. Not at Al Dente! Our guests would have liked dessert, too, but we couldn't get it there. We will not be returning to Al Dente. I suspect there are many nicer places in the North End with fewer rules.
(2)
Ira L.

we got the following advice before we left for our weekend in boston. 1. you must visit the north end for authentic italian food 2. Stray a block or so off Hanover street and pick out a smaller restaurant for a more cozy dinner. We ended up at Al Dente and it was wonderful. We did make a reservation for sunday night at 7PM on open table and were seat about 5 mins after 7. The service was prompt and friendly and the food was amazing. I had Veal Sorrentino which had veal, eggplant, mushrooms, proscuito on top of angel hair pasta. It was really good. Warning, the portions are huge, so don't fill up on bread and in my opinion, salad is not needed. There was no room for dessert!
(5)
Carol P.

We have visited many restaurants in the North End and this is by far the best! After many visits we have decided this is our favorite. We are always greeted by Mike at the door and he is engaging and personable. Al dente is always very busy and we are treated special each time we arrive. Our servers have been Andrea and Angela and both are fabulous. It is not uncommon for them to give you a hug and welcome you back. Homemade fusilli is outstanding. No matter which dish I pick I always order the fusilli and am never disappointed. We have recommended this restaurant to many out of town visitors and no one has ever been disapointed. If you are there on a Friday or Saturday you need a reservation and request Andrea or Angela, you will not be disappointed. Food quality is excellent, portions, huge, and atmosphere is pure Boston, North End!!
(5)
Ryan G.

Straight to the point: for the price you pay I expected better food quality. The restaurant has huge portions, but the quality is definitely lacking. I ordered the lobster ravioli and experienced better dishes in the immediate area. This place is definitely good, but for being in the north end, it did not meet expectations.
(3)
Bhanu R.

I was very disappointed by the food here. Looking at the four star average reviews i had expected more from this place. I ended up leaving 80% of my portion.
(1)
Andy S.

Big fan of the food and the people who run this place. It's a bit on the small side but since its off the beaten track in the North End it more often attracts locals (a good sign). It can be cramped, and on cold nights the chill that comes in when the door opens can really hit you! But we have always loved the food (Pumpkin ravioli = super) and the staff has been great (they will even grab your kids a pizza from next store - very cool and some really good pizza). Highly reccomended.
(4)
C M.

This place was amazing. We booked the reservation through open table on a Tuesday night shortly before arriving. I went with two girl friends. They sat us right away. The host (man with grey hair who someone said was "rude") was very polite. Our waitress, JoJo was super friendly and knowledgeable. She made us an olive oil mixture that was amazing. I ordered mussels with homemade pasta- to die for. Service was very prompt. Prices are excellent and portions are big so you can share or take home half :) Atmosphere was casual, and clean. I can't wait to take my husband here!
(5)
Michael R.

I can't say I live in the North End, or even that I frequently dine there, but I can tell you this: if you're looking to save a few bucks but still get that talk-of-the-town Italian fix, then you definitely want to consider Al Dente. It's not the best meal I've even had in the area, and there's nothing truly overwhelming about the place, but you're not going to leave disappointed. And by that I mean you'll be full and your pasta cravings will be sufficiently satisfied. First, the waitstaff is accommodating and friendly. That was a nice surprise right off the bat. It felt like my party and I were in an Italian family kitchen -- fresh outta Italy. Our meals were solid too, though not quite up at the level of similar North End eateries. But hey, they prices are cheaper, so you get what you pay for. But to save a few bucks and still get a solid meal is A-OK in my book. For my meal, I had the Bruschetta and the Chicken Venensia. The Bruschetta was pretty average, just bread with a tomato-basil spread, nothing fancy about it. The Chicken Venensia was pretty solid as well, plus I can't complain about the massive portion size. Pretty solid overall. Add this place to your list if you're a North End junky looking to save a few bucks but still get in some great authentic Italian carbo-loading.
(3)
Marissa H.

Absolutely one of my favorite restaurant experiences. I took my wife there on her first trip to Boston -- we went on a random afternoon in the week, without a reservation, and it was not a problem, but to be fair it was a random time. It was fairly empty but the staff was very attentive and very friendly! The food was fantastic -- we shared an appetizer (an eggplant dish) and then had an amazing plate of pasta (I believe it was the chicken and broccoli penne) to split as an entree. It was a huge portion and so very delicious! Definitely felt like authentic Italian food and we thought the prices were very reasonable for the portions and quality of the food.
(5)
Abel J.

My friend and I showed up not knowing anything about Cafe Al Dente and absolutely loved it!!!!! Lasagna was great! Wine was great! Jacqueline and Leonard made us feel like we were family. We Didn't even expect to have dinner, but the company was so great, we had to... This will be our new hangout. Mainly since we just hooked up with some previous friends that we now know they live in the same building. Can't wait to go back...
(4)
Frank L.

The portions are sinfully big, flavors are bland and it is too crowded. There are so many better options. Breading on calamari was not good. Very average food. We ended up wasting half of our meals.
(2)
Jordan S.

When our Bostonian friends learned I'd never had authentic Italian food, they made reservations for the four of us that night at Al Dente. It was our first night in Boston and Al Dente made it wonderful. We walked from our hotel through the North End, which was a lovely experience at dusk in itself. We got to Al Dente before our friends so they seated us and got us a bottle of wine. The waitress was so lovely, she just sat and chatted with us despite being only one of two servers that night. She really made the meal a notch above. When our friends, and a second bottle of wine, arrived I ordered the lobster ravioli and my partner got the Al Dente special. (Our friends ordered the Shrimp and Calamari Fra Diavolo and the Shrimp and Scallops a la Vodka.) All four of us raved about our dishes! My ravioli was easily the best Italian dish of my life. The pasta was the perfect thickness, the balance of lobster to cheese stuffing was spot on, and there was just the right amount of marinara. Great dish! The reason it lost a star was really just the size. It's not like they can do anything about expanding (not an option) but it probably only seats 30-ish people tops. I was sandwiched in up against the next table but it wasn't too bad as long as I didn't move my chair. Luckily we had reservations but I saw people waiting our whole meal and we were the last table to leave. The small size and brick walls also increases the noise level so you do have to talk loud as well. I would go back though, even with these in mind.
(4)
Brittany P.

Came here for lunch on a beautiful weekday afternoon with the girlfriend. It was quiet but our server was attentive and knowledgable about the menu! My girl got farfalle and vodka sauce which she said was delicious. I ordered the lasagna special with a meatball and it was amazing! The best lasagna I've ever eaten at a restaurant. The portion was huge and I have enough for dinner tonight and maybe even lunch tomorrow. My only complaint was the price of the lasagna, at $17 I felt like I was being charged for the dinner portion. Which is ok, just would have liked to know in advance. But besides that I would recommend this place to everyone visiting the north end!
(4)
Linda T.

Great restaurant in the North End! Fantastic food and fantastic service! All food is made to order! Small intimate restaurant without the frills of some restaurants in the area, but all of the charm! Took family from out of town there and everyone raved about it the rest of the weekend! Even my 4 year old nephew loved it! The kids cheese pizza is great and large portion to keep the little ones busy! The staff were extremely helpful in making recommendations. Can't wait to visit again soon!
(5)
Rima C.

I wish I could give Al Dente a better review, but 3 stars is absolutely the highest I can go. We came here for my birthday this weekend as a group totaling 17 people. I'll start with the cons: - The restaurant advertises being able to handle large groups. Although we had a reservation for a month and our party arrived early, we were left waiting 30 minutes in the cold *after* our reservation time. North End restaurants are small and I understand the need to accommodate smaller groups while a larger group waits, but.... - After all that waiting, my party didn't even get to sit together. Two tables, one behind the other, were what we got. Why didn't they give us the table beside us do that we could sit together? It didn't make sense. - Bringing your own cake? Be careful. There's a $2.50 cutting fee per person! We asked if they would budge on this, and after some negotiating, they charged us a total of $25. To cut. A. Cake. We aren't argumentative, and we just wanted to have a nice time, so we thanked them for reducing the cost to $25 and went on with the meal. - Food was just ok. The marinara was good, but the pasta was overcooked and the eggplant was flavorless. However, I think others in the party liked what they got. I can't speak for them. The pros: - Waitstaff was nice and attentive, save for the guy who kept saying "five more minutes" and who seated us away from each other. - Food came out quickly. No long waits, even with a packed restaurant! This might explain the mushy pasta, though--I suspect it sits in hot water until people order it. Most people wouldn't give this place 3 stars after all of this, but I really liked some of the waitstaff and understand that a large group is tricky. I just wish they wouldn't advertise large group accommodation on their site.
(3)
H L.

My rating for this place is 3.5 out of 5. We entered North End, with a list of places to visit, recommended by yelp,com. As locals, going to North End expecting to eat like North Enders, was probably too much. But, this humble restaurant was good enough to invite us in at first. But the door guys were souless. But, we were greeted by friendly older waitresses, who would recommend some authentic foods, I have not experienced before in this neighborhood. The seating is quite tight and of typical low-key diner style. The big crowd sitting next to us, from NYC, wwa drunk and extremely loud. Their intimate conversation was transferred to the opposite sides, where we sat and many got upset to ear them, but the server did not notice how loud and vulgar the groups sounded to the rest of us. The foods were interesting when they arrived hot. And, the portions were huge! Bigger than Cheese Cake Factory portions, which is quite big. And, at first the taste was just like wholesome homemade dinner plates. But, when our stomachs got full halfway, they tasted just average. So, hot and smaller portions would do better than the big cold plates in my opinion. We talked about "Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen nightmare's restaurant 101s." The huge portion is almost like a "give away" approach. We don't need to carry around the doggy bags. They should work on right ambience and the right food experience would be enough to entice us. No bargain hunting was expected, especially with the authentic Italian foods. But, our experience was just a mediocre diner kind. Nothing special.
(3)
D W.

Lobster ravioli is amazing!! My friend and I were a little disappointed in the wine selection. The fried broccoli appetizer wasn't my favorite. I think I was expecting a different batter--my fault. Service was fabulous. Andrea was attentive and welcoming. The restaurant was small with tables close together. It didn't take away from the experience.
(4)
Bill B.

This is a small place that packs a big punch. The service was outstanding as was their food. The eggplant rollatini was very good with fresh ricotta. The Caprese salad was great depsite the fact they were not using roma tomatoes. The gnocchi was excellent as was the sausage that came with it. The only odd thing was their beer service. The waitress had to go outside and next door to get my beer. I did ask the waitress what beers they had and she replied "everything". I asked for a Dogfish and she said that she never heard of it and didn't have it. There goes the "everything" statement.
(4)
Hayley H.

The Lobster ravioli is definitely where it's at. The sauce made the dish. My kids all had the chicken off the children's menu and was great, tender and juicy. The dish also came with a huge bowl of pasta with marinara; the sauce, again, great despite the simplicity. The portions for the kids were just as big if not bigger than the adults. We also ordered the gnocchi in vodka sauce which just didn't hit the mark for us. I didn't care for the large pieces of onion and typically I love onion. The staff was great and we'd definitely go back. At the end of the meal they treated us to a limoncello taste and when our baby knocked it out of my husband's hand they were extra kind to give him another.
(4)
Trae H.

I have never been disappointed with this North End eatery. The staff has always been friendly and the food has been terrific. The service is excellent, but a bit slow due to the volume that they do.
(5)
James W.

I chose this restaurant because of the reviews on yelp. I wasn't dissapointed. The food was very good, service was great, price was great. We went to the Bruin's playoff game at 7:30. Had reservations at 6 and made it to the game no problem.
(4)
Dave A.

Holy $#&% - if you're in Boston - GO! Stay off Hanover and walk over one block to this place - wow! Spinach Crepes and Grand Marnier Shrimp - with bread to sop the juice up - NICE! And those are just the appetizers - the entrees are huge! Make a reservation if you can! The staff - amazing - like you are family!
(5)
Audrey C.

Great food, large portions, cool hole-in-the-wall sort of place. Suggestion: Make a reservation! It's a small space that seemed to get crowded pretty quickly.
(4)
Donald R.

Ok, so this place is awesome. Fresh pasta, and all homemade sauces. This is the real deal as if you were at grandma's for Friday night dinner. Those who did not care for the taste of certain items probably think Ragu is the best sauce.
(5)
Jessica B.

I went here based on many rave reviews I had heard from coworkers. Upon arrival I saw the specials board out front boasting Pumpkin Ravioli, which I ordered practically the moment I sat down. My husband ordered the chicken parmesan. The food was enjoyable, but I think you can do better in the North End for authentic Italian food. Unfortunately the most memorable portion of the evening were the drinks. My husband, a whiskey enthusiast, ordered his usual manhattan. The waitress informed us that the only whiskey they had on the bar was Honey Jack Daniel's. He said he did want that in his drink, only if they had regular Jack Daniel's. She said she was sure they could find some. She came back with the drink and said they found some regular JD for him. When the waitress walked away my husband took a sip and knew right away that it was made with the Honey Jack that he specifically did not want. When she returned to ask how everything was my husband asked if Honey Jack was in his drink. The waitress giggled and said that in fact it was, as they were unable to located any Jack Daniel's, but she insisted that the drink was better this way. The server not only ignored a request, but blatantly brought something that not wanted. We would not go back there again based on this incident. We would however, go to the restaurant next door, Benevento, which oddly enough is where the bar is housed for Al Dente, so all in all it's the same owners, but Benevento is a much better experience overall.
(2)
Gregory C.

Made a reservation for 3 people for 7:30 pm. I walked in at 7:28 pm and was told I would have to wait 15-30 minutes because a group of 8 people were sitting at our table that was not ready. He asked us to stand outside in the rain. The point of reserving a table is that it is ready when you arrive. I told him that we would not be eating there and we left. If this was any indication of how the rest of the night at this place was going to go- I'm better off at the nicer restaurant two doors down where I was sat immediately.
(1)
James H.

The mussels were delectable, and the gnocchi just right. I would take away half a star for the so-so bread and noise level, but I add a half for the personable server and the enjoyable Malbec. A fun North End alternative to the big restaurants with a family feel and tasty food.
(3)
Don W.

Three of us went to Al Dente for dinner last night and we had a really good meal with a fun server. The restaurant had all the atmosphere that you'd expect from the North End: a loud place with amazing smells coming from every direction and a level of controlled chaos that's oddly reassuring. But as much as I liked it, I was a little disappointed by the Linguine ala Vongole. It was delicious and I was mopping up the plate with my bread, but the clams were overcooked just enough to be chewy, the dish was a bit too salty, and the linguine was cooked far beyond al dente. Given that the restaurant is named "Al Dente", I thought this was especially odd. But I can only take off a little bit for this because everything else was terrific and I enjoyed every bite of my chewy clams. Our server Andrea did a really good job and didn't stop moving for the entire time we were in there. I would go back in a heartbeat but I'd probably try a different entree.
(4)
Steven C.

I went here recently on a Friday night and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Originally, I made a reservation through OpenTable for 7:30. A couple of hours before our reservation time, I pushed it up to 8:00, again through OpenTable. At about 7:45, my dinner companion was running late, so I walked up the restaurant to push the reservation time further once again, this time to 8:30. Standing outside the restaurant was a gentleman who was managing the whole reservation process. Al Dente's reservation process is still a little manual, so he hadn't yet been informed that I had changed the reservation to 8:00. Keep this in mind when making reservations online. Despite the fact we were late and had to request a later reservation, and the large crowd of diners beginning to gather outside the restaurant, this gentleman was accommodating and knew how to work the crowd and keep things moving and keep people happy. Once we were seated inside, we had two very nice ladies serving us. The service was casual and friendly, but not over the top. Perfect. Both my dinner companion and I thoroughly enjoyed our generous sized meals. I got the Chicken Buona Bocca, which is boneless chicken breast layered with prosciutto, mozzarella, spinach, mushrooms, and sage with a generous amount of white wine butter sauce. In fact, a little bit of the sauce got splattered on my clothes when a piece of chicken fell off my fork, but that's nothing the dry cleaner can't take care of. The meal was delicious. Along with her meal, my friend ordered a mojito. Ordering alcohol from Al Dente is a little different because they don't have their own bar. Rather, what they do is partner with the establishment next door, so if you want a drink, they go next door to get it for you. We both enjoyed the mojito, as it had just the right amount of sweetness, wasn't overpowering, and had a nice, fresh, minty flavor and aroma. My friend was also thoroughly pleased with her meal, and she mentioned that she'd like to come again, to which I concur. It's a small little restaurant, but that adds to its appeal. If you want good home cooking in the North End, Al Dente is definitely a winner!
(5)
Alison B.

Super friendly. Fast service. The pumpkin ravioli is to die for! Highly recommend it. Lisa our server was great
(5)
Marianne S.

Great food huge portions and friendly staff. Great family place or date night. Nice family atmosphere - the owner was hands on and we felt welcomed as soon as we arrived . I got the roasted veggies and it was an appetizer - however a meal for me. My husband ordered pasta it was huge and he loved it- we will be back!!!
(5)
Michel F.

Excellent food! Their pasta is fantastic - cooked and sauced to perfection. The pumpkin ravioli was a particular standout. The fig salad was excellent as well and the bacon wrapped scallops, oh my. I could have had more of those!
(5)
Colleen W.

What a great little Italian restaurant off the main street in Little Italy. It was pouring down rain and I was invited in from the street by the hostess. She sat me down so that I could look at a menu inside instead of outside. + 1 star for being nice (and a good salesperson). I felt like I was in my Grandmother's living room with a soap opera playing on the TV in the corner. My server came out to greet me and she was the cutest older woman. I think her name was Maria or Marge? Anyway, she offered her suggestions and got into a little conversation about where I was from, etc. (It was a slow day, but I appreciated it as I was dining alone) The menu is basically this: pick your pasta, pick your sauce...with some other standard dishes in there. It costs extra for hand-made pasta, but it's worth it. I ordered a bowl of minestrone soup and the fresh cheese tortellini with vodka sauce. You get some boring bread and olive oil to eat while you wait but at least it's something. The bowl of minestrone was giant! I had been warned, but it was literally the size of a plate. I barely ate a quarter of it and wasn't impressed by it, other than it's size. Seriously...enormous. I wish you could order soup here by the cup, instead. The minestrone was a bit too ordinary without much variety in the vegetables. However, the tortellini dish was one of the richest, most (caloric) delicious pasta meals I've ever had! The fresh tortellini was so fresh and delicate and the vodka sauce was absolutely spot on. I wished I had the appetite to finish it, but my waist thanked me for stopping halfway. Again, the portion was huge. Maria/Marge did as my Grandma would and wouldn't let me leave without packaging the meal up for me (even though I explained that I was headed to the airport). She also invited me to stay and hang around in the restaurant until I had to be at the airport in a few hours so I wouldn't have to wander in the rain. Lady M made this review a 4 star one. I'd gladly recommend this place to someone looking for some home-style red sauce Italian food with great service.
(4)
dave r.

Located right next to Bacco but with a much more modest sign, I attended this Italian eaterie with a swarm of gay men and a single, stalwart straight guy (who incidentally was the reason that we were here; he had been there a number of times before and was acquainted with the owner). The table shared bruscetta and calamari. The meat-eaters were appreciative of the latter. I ended up using the spiced tomatoes from the former to add flavor to the grilled fig salad I ordered, of which I think there were maybe four (cold?) figs. The ravioli were fairly massive and quite tasty. Others at the table ordered different sauce-covered pastas and meats, all portions were large and all flavors were satisfactory (although somewhat straightforward). Our server was a bit of a riot, definitely attentive and friendly. The owner made some overly descriptive comments about the assets of some potential lady conquests he had spied out for us, whom we directed to the friend responsible for us being there. They were very generous with their limoncello-inspired spots, although considering the price of them, that seemed about right. The taste didn't suit me but everyone else at the table loved them. In short, a solid experience that could be improved with less machismo and a more adventurous menu.
(3)
S S.

Excellent food and grand portions! The noise level is a bit high so it's not a place for your first romantic date. In fact, the noise level is the ONLY reason I'm not giving 5 stars. The creamy limoncello shot is the perfect ending. I would definitely go back on my next trip to Boston.
(4)
Kenna B.

Excellent food and service! We arrived 15 min early for our 530 reservation and they were able to seat our party of four right away. The delicious smells of garlic and oil waft into your nose when you step into the restaurant. Our waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable about questions that we had about the menu. This is our second time choosing Al Dente for a special night out and we would definitely come back again.
(5)
Charlotte S.

Excellent choice! Located in the famed North End of Boston this felt we were stepping into a bit of Italy. The place is relatively small and full of activity. The waitstaff is friendly and helpful. We had the Al Dente Special which was delicious: chicken, veal, shrimp, artichoke hearts, and more over your choice of pasta. A complimentary cream lemoncello arrived with the bill. We will return.
(5)
C A.

Guys, this place is awful. How are people giving it good reviews? The atmosphere is not what you (or maybe it's just me?) expect from the North End. It reminded me of a dinky, hole in the wall greasy diner. The tables were so close together that you have to coordinate when and how to get up with your fellow diners. The waitresses are all grumpy older ladies who are in your way everywhere you turn in this jam-packed establishment. They also use their bodies to serve the food in ways that make you question how sanitary the food you are about to be consuming really is: I saw 2 plates of food stacked on top of each other with the bottom of the top plate resting IN the food of the bottom plate. Which wouldn't really matter in the end because the food is horrible. Wait, I should start with the bread. Cold, stale white bread with plastic butter packets. No fresh, warm bread. No olive oil. They actually refused to warm it up when I specifically asked for it. The eggplant rollatini was decent but the portion size was so small. I got the chicken parm, I thought, how could you go wrong with that? When the chicken is a thin slice of rubbery chicken triple coated in breadcrumbs that are so thick they are just falling off the chicken in huge clumps, and there is one thin slice of cheese barely melted on top...THAT's how you go wrong with chicken parm. My friend got the pasta with "vodka sauce" which, heads up: IS NOT VODKA SAUCE. Not sure what sauce that was....she also asked to add meatballs to her dish and it came with ONE TINY meatball. It felt like this was their standard meal, so nothing seemed amiss, which is why I do not understand why anyone would ever go to this place. Bertucci's would have been better.
(1)
Michael A.

Just got back from eating here. Place was recommended by our instructor. I expected more. I was planning on going to my favorite placed (wont name here) but went to this place on the recommendation. Big portions of food. But I was not really impressed with the sauces. Nothing realliy stood out to me. I did get the waitress to make me her own special italian dressing to put on my salad.. that was good. Also the calamari was good. But my pasta was so average. Italian sausage was tasteless. I have some here in my room and before I wrote this review, I tasted the pasta again to be fair.. and again.. not great.. kind of taste-less. My mother who is full blood scillian makes a better sauce. Meatball was also bland. I dont get what the hype is about. Staff very friendly. I will give them that. Very average. You Might want to go somewhere else if you have a choice.
(2)
Jaryd T.

Portion of food served was HUGE. Received advice from the waitress and shared one entree and a salad. Had the homemade fusilli with scallops and shimp. Loved the red vodka sauce and the kick of spice. We arrived at dinner a little early, probably around 6pm and just beat the rush. No reservations but it was a Monday night.
(4)
Phil O.

We went to Al Dente to celebrate a 50th birthday for a dear friend. To be fair, the restaurant is small and cramped and there is a line outside the door. However, a reservation was made in ample time for a party of 12. When we arrived, we were provided with not one - but 2 tables, with a gap in between so that people could walk through. These tables were situated right next to the door where the owner stood and hovered; never once asking us how our dinner was - but continually glaring as though all he wanted was for us to eat and leave. After being served dessert, we were there for approximately 15 minutes finishing our wine. However, the look from the owner became so intense that we felt compelled to leave, with many of us having not even finished our wine. As we were leaving, I said, "you couldn't wait for us to leave" - and his response was "yeah, about a half hour ago!". Then as another friend was leaving, the owner said to him, "Make sure you take the women with you - referring to the second table ". As some of the women left, they also mentioned to the owner that they felt he wanted us to leave, and his response was "yeah, about an hour ago". This was not a case of excessive lingering at all, but an owner who wanted to turn tables quickly. But the nerve of the owner, I won't go back! Go to Limoncello where they know how to treat a customer.
(1)
Andrew B.

A nice Italian meal. Not the best Italian food I've tasted but I was definitely didn't regret spending my calories on this place. My favorite part of the meal was our server Marge. It felt like I was at an Italian friends house having a nice meal cooked by a nice Italian mother.
(4)
Maria P.

Absolutely wonderful! Authentic Italian Restaurant. There is not one thing on this plate that isn't good!! The staff is very friendly & attentive. A MUST while visiting Boston.
(5)
Jeremy D.

Great place! The waitress we had was awesome! One member of our party asked if they had pizza on their menu. She said, we'll order one for you from next door and they did. The bruschetta was spectacular and the chicken marsala was very good.
(4)
Alex B.

I love chicken marsala, and this place has delivered on multiple occasions. The first time I went here it was in the evening and the place was packed I had a great server that recommended a great wine that I had never tried before. The next two times I went there with my now fiancee we had the same waitress she was amazing! Always polite and attentive, she never seemed in a rush and looked happy to be there. The quality of the food is amazing. It is somewhere I would be more than happy to bring my friends in that are visiting from out of town or for a great special occasion.
(5)
Steve C.

Went for lunch today. I had the shrimp scampi which was great, lots of garlic. It was served with fusilli which seemed a bit heavy, I would have preferred linguine or fettuccine with it. My wife has shrimp and scallops al dente, which was also served with fusilli with a vodka sauce, she said it was delicious. When we arrived there were only 2 tables occupied but right after that it started to fill up with a large group coming in, also. The staff stayed cheerful and welcoming even with the sudden influx of customers.
(4)
Sina E.

There is no question that the North End will give you all the choices for Italian food. Well, you can't really go wrong when choosing this place. After a night of improv comedy, this was the perfect place to cure ones hunger. The staff was friendly, and seated our big group right away. The portion sizes here are huge. I mean I came in hungry, but man, I had trouble finishing my dish. I had the Chicken Buona Bocca; the chicken was tender, sauce was creamy, and it was just a solid choice. I also tasted the vodka sauce, and that was also a great choice. I recommend that you get it with the fettucini as the pasta choice, but can't really go wrong with the other choices. The interior is a little small and cramped, but waitress was friendly and helpful. This place is a winner.
(4)
Nick K.

Killer food. Killer service.
(5)
Mike R.

Seafood Risoto, Tenderloin Risoto, Bacon wrapped scallops ....damn great service. My wife's second time running the Boston Marathon and we visted Al Dente in 2012 as well. We will plan on being here in 2014 and will have the start of a great tradition and a great restaurant!
(5)
Joe M.

Excellent food. Had the Veal Valentino. Every bite was delicious. Very good service.
(4)
Jamie S.

Think chicken marsala, eggplant / chicken parm, pork tenderloin with spinach and mashed. The prices are on the lower end of some of the other places in the North End, they validate parking and Mikes pastry is right around the corner.
(3)
Bob N.

Food is delicious. Staff is very engaging and delightful to talk to. Only complaint is the noise level. Pretty noisy.
(4)
Julia H.

They accommodated our large party of nine and the owner personally checked on us twice. Food was incredible as was the wine and the service. When choosing between all of the little Italian restaurants in the north end definitely give Al Dente a chance. i had the eggplant rollatini appetizer as my main course because the portions are huge, and it was so good. Tomato sauce was amazing. I will definitely go back!
(5)
Tom H.

Read some of the other reviews, as they also have salient comments. There were two of us, Monday night after a big holiday weekend. No wine, please, coffee. Coffee was a chore. Had lobster ravioli as an appetizer; average. The sauce seemed leftover, and I could detect some added wine. The lobster was chewy, as were the shrimp that are in the dish. The entre was linguini with white clam sauce. A specialty of this place is gluten-free pasta. I'll have to say that with a name like al dente, you would expect perfect pasta-- to the tooth is the literal translation. Not here. It was slightly overdone, but not soggy. There were added chopped clams, and perhaps seven-eight nice juicy ones. The clam broth was good and garlicky, but otherwise unremarkable. My associate had veal parmasen, and he said zero about it, and took some home for lunch leftovers. There were no desserts. None. The bill, for two, was $58 without tip (I'm missing one appetizer in my description, a bowl of minestrone) that included two appetizers and two entres, and two cups of coffee. There is nothing superlative or even above average, but the staff is friendly. You probably won't be vastly disappointed, but you're very unlikely to rave about Al Dente. This is a trattoria..... and I've sadly found more flavor at chains.
(2)
David P.

We arrived early and it's a good thing we did. The host was very busy with lots of people that had reservations or wanted a table. He managed to seat us a few minutes late which was okay because after we sat we couldn't have been happier. There was fresh bread and water at the table already. Our waitress was Lisa, she was fantastic. We were hungry and it helped that our salads we out within 5 minutes, they were fantastic. Our meals followed but it wasn't rushed. The three of us had Chicken Parmesan with ziti, Lasagna with eggplant, and mussels marinara over angle hair. Each meal was fantastic. We skipped dessert because we had no more room. The only downside was the noise level, this place was very loud. If it wasn't for that this would have been a 5 start rating. I don't think there is anything the management could do about it and maybe they shouldn't. If you mind the noise find a quiet place where the food isn't top notch!
(4)
David L.

This place is a keeper! I took my family (5 of us) to dinner there last night (on a Wednesday night) for my wife and daughter's birthdays. We made a reservation on Open Table, and the restaurant called us to confirm the reservation (which made me feel good knowing that they received it). We were running a little late for our 8:00 pm reservation, so I called to let them know. They couldn't have been nicer, and said they were running a bit of a wait anyway, and to just get there as soon as possible. We arrived at about 8:20 and were seated within 10 minutes. We had the nicest waitress we could have hoped for(Marge, you're the best!). We ordered the fried calamari as an appetizer, which a buddy of mine had told me was the best in New England. I would concur-it was cut into small pieces, in a nice light breading, and piping hot from the kitchen. The Caesar salad for two was enough for all five of us (5 adults) to have a generous portion, and was also quite delicious. Everyone's meals came out nice and hot, and everyone seemed to love what they had (AL Dente special, Shrimp Scampi, Chicken Venezia, Chicken with Bowtie Pasta, Sausage over Pasta with red sauce). The portions were absolutely huge-easily another meal out of most of them. Absolutely delicious. I would highly recommend this place for a an authentic, moderately priced, delicious Italian meal!
(5)
Melissa S.

There's no excuse for eating here given the huge number of good Italian restaurants in the neighborhood. Just say no. I was wavering between 1 star and 2 stars, but decided to go with 1 given that most other reviews have erred wildly on the side of too many stars. First, let's talk about the noise. The "very loud" rating is no joke. This was one of the loudest places I've ever been in, to the point that conversation was impossible. I would not recommend it for children or older folks for that reason. In fact, I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone at all, but that's because the food and service need work. As another reviewer mentioned, the portions here are indeed massive. However, having giant portions of bad food is not a good thing. I would much rather have a modest portion of good food. To be fair, their food is far from the very worst I've ever had. My experience is that it was just edible enough to have enough bites so that we didn't walk away starving. Their allegedly home-made pasta is a bad joke. I have no idea what the point of making your own pasta is if you're going to make it so poorly. I've had excellent fresh pasta at home and in many restaurants, and I've never had such thick and doughy ickiness. We started with lobster ravioli. Sadly, the dough was extremely thick and unappetizing. My companion had the veal marsala, and I had the veal saltimbocca, and we both ordered the fusili. The pasta was still thick and doughy, and we were also dismayed that both dishes had the exact same sauce. I am not a professional chef, but it seemed lazy for both dishes to have the same exact sauce (which, by the way, was too salty). Service was poor to mediocre. My final complaint could also be seen as a back-handed compliment: they have no dessert menu, which seems like an odd choice, but in this case was a blessing because we could get out of there without even thinking about dessert.
(1)
Lyndsay C.

My parents were visiting from out of town and my dad was in search of some really good tortellini. As locals my husband and I like to find a spot we love and stick to it! Al Dente has been added to our list of go to places in the North End. We made a last minute reservation on open table and they were easily able to accommodate us, our oversized stroller, and sleeping 2 month old. The restaurant is pretty small but we didn't expect and thing different in the North End. Marge was our server and she was great! My husband and I ordered two of the daily specials--eggplant lasagna and ricotta lasagna both served with a meatball. Dad had the Al Dente Special with tortellini and mom had one of their Chicken Buona Bocca. Everything was really delicious! We even got a little taste of Limoncello on the house! We will definitely stop by again. It was a great experience without the stuffiness of some other No End restaurants and they were happy to accommodate a family with a little one too!
(5)
Melissa F.

Hands down the best restaurant in the North End. Italian restaurants in that area are a dime a dozen, so it can be difficult to distinguish between the authentic ones and the tourist traps. Everything is made from scratch and is so fresh. It makes a HUGE difference. The place is small so I would recommend making a reservation. The service was excellent and best of all, we were able to take our time without being rushed.
(5)
Paul L.

This is a wonderful, family-owned eatery in the North End. Their pastas are fresh and their sangria is deliciously strong.
(4)
Kathleen F.

We absolutely loved the food and intimate ambiance and the service was great. Potion sizes are incredibly overwhelming but there are definitely options for any taste. The lobster raviolli was a favorite at our table but I found it to be too fishy.
(4)
David G.

Just went today for an early dinner. The food,service and atmosphere are amazing. They staff is so sweet and make you feel like a regular within minutes. We had seafood risotto which was to die for. We also had lasagna which was so delicate and delicious as well. We also had minestrone soup and chicken vegetable soup which was amazing. This place is great and I know I will come back over and over
(5)
Cindy W.

We came here for a friend's birthday and I fell in love with their chicken marsala and decided to come again with another friend for his birthday. I'm a big fan of the North End as it is, so every time I hit up Little Italy of Boston, it's always for a special reason. The food is delicious, point blank. It's fresh, homemade and it hits the spot. I also like that it's a rather cozy place and not this big restaurant full of pretentious people. However, I am not giving this place 5 stars because one of my friends had hair in his food, long blonde strands and it could have been the waitress's hair, but either way, we were totally grossed out. She was nice about it and got us another dish, the thing was, we all waited for his dish to come out (he's the birthday boy, we have to wait!) and by then, our food was lukewarm.
(4)
Erica S.

Great find! Al dente has become my new go to restaurant in the North End! Everything that we ate was delicious. We started with the pumpkin ravioli special which was out of this world! My mom had the lasagna special that had eggplant in it. It was light and full of flavor. The red sauce was just like moms and the meatball was just as good as my Grampa's, which is a huge compliment. I had the chicken venensia and as other yelpers suggested I substituted the homemade fusilli for the risotto. Excellent choice! Pasta was al dente and the chicken was moist and flavorful. I would definitely get that again (for the third time!). Waitstaff, Lisa imparticular were friendly and attentive. Brian at the front door couldn't have been nicer and gave me directions to the parcel 7 garage, which I always seem to miss. Overall a great experience. I can not wait to go back again!
(5)
Evelyn B.

So enjoyed our first dining experience at Al Dente on Friday, 4/26/2013. We actually had a reservation at a different North End Italian eatery however my boyfriend changed the reservation and announced we would be going to Al Dente instead. GOLD STAR for him for choosing this cozy establishment. The food was spot on, it was excellent. And the service was by far the BEST SERVICE we have had in Boston. ANDREA our waitress was out of sight! She was attentive, gave awesome menu item recommendatoins and just put the cherry on top of our already great experience. Thanks to the food and ANDREA we will definitely be back! Thanks, Al Dente!
(4)
Shiyi Z.

I went there twice n my friend loves their mussel linguine
(4)
Ann W.

I would have given this 4 stars if the food had arrived hot. We had sausage cacciatore and a lasagna with eggplant (which was a special) and both were tasty, but I had to ask for the sausage dish to be reheated and if we hadn't already cut up the lasagna, I would have done the same for it. The ceasar salad we started with was pretty mundane for $11.95--for that, I thought it would be made tableside or at least fresh. It was decent but had been refrigerated since earlier in the day. The wine selection was pretty decent and pricing was surprisingly reasonable.
(3)
Gary B.

Can we talk inventive for a moment? Let's talk Pumpkin Ravioli for a moment. Does that sound odd to you? No, don't let it sound that way... it's incredible. The filling is so tasty, so well put together. Seems like it would be heavy, but it makes the perfect appetizer, with plenty of room for food. And their seafood is perfectly cooked; moist and flavorful. The risotto is absolutely delicious as well, managing to be both creamy and not too salty. Fantastic atmosphere, although definitely bustling and a little louder. Make a reservation because I'm not the only one who realized how great this place is - it's WORTH the wait if you have to, though!
(5)
Melissa M.

Food and service were great! We arrived 15 minutes early for our reservation and they had our table ready. Good idea to have reservations because it was a busy place. Everyone was great with our son who had just turned a year old. Can't wait to return to Boston to visit Al Dente again!
(5)
Jake T.

Decided to come here on a cold evening with my girlfriend. seated by shady guys in trench coats...The place was really packed, but we were seated really quick. it was nice, dimmed, and cozy. We decided on the Lobster RaveoIi for our appetizers; it was delicious. Also, I ordered the A Matriciana, and my girlfriend ordered another dish, and it came out really fast. The portion was bigger than I expected! Food was alright, I thought it was a bit salty. But I was half full so I can't really judge... Our waitress was a very kind lady that treated me like her own son. It was really cute but anyways, I would try itagain but it's pretty $$..
(4)
James H.

This place is awesome! I had some friends from out of town visiting and they wanted to have a fun night out. What's better then dinner and a comedy show, right? So I went on open table and this place popped up. The menu looked good and affordable for everyone. We got there and were seated promptly. Our server Jojo was awesome. She guided my friend through the menu of some of her favorites. We split a large salad with figs, goat cheese, fresh house dressing, and mixed greens. We all got pasta and the portions were large, I was the only one to finish. I can't wait to go back. I promise you'll enjoy it!
(5)
Aaditya S.

Good food!!
(4)
Irissa N.

We came here on a Yelp review and it was perfect. The owner was very chatty and greeted us at the door. We waited 5 minutes for a table. It is a perfect family owned restaurant that makes you feel at home. The dishes are huge and the prices are low. I would recommend this to anyone wanting true authentic food.
(5)
Amar M.

Definitely some of the best Italian food I've had. Not overly heavy, more authentic tasting, and awesomely delicious. The service was top notch, the lady taking care of my party that night was like a family member...like the cool aunt or grandma whose house you always want to go to because she is so much cooler than your own family. Restaurant is pretty small, pretty loud, and pretty busy, so it's good for smaller groups w/reservations. I had the shrimp and scallops a la vodka with the homemade pasta, it was so good. Scallops cooked perfectly, homemade fusilli was soft but had a great bite, and the sauce was delicious. Tried others' food too, all good. Prices are decent, portions are huge, and I eat a lot. Highly recommend this place!
(5)
Cami V.

This restaurant is tiny--be prepared for clausterphobia! Nevertheless, I intend to return again and again because the lobster ravioli may be one of the best things I have ever tasted. A must order!
(5)
Gwen H.

I love Italian food but gluten intolerance has made it tough to eat at delicious Italian restaurants and not just be envious of everyone who is able to have the pasta. Well, I tried the gluten free pasta at al dente, after planning to get an antipasti dish or salad as usual. I had a shrimp and cream sauce dish ( they will make any dish on the menu gluten free for you) And thought while i waited "why am i trying gluten free pasta agakn? its always terrible." When it came I had a bite and thought 'man, this is good. They screwed up and gave me real pasta' I asked the waitress and she said 'yes it's gluten free' so I had another bite. I thought "No way, it's actually pasta. Gluten free pasta is always terrible." I asked a different waitress, she went to the kitchen to check again. Definitely gluten free. She laughed and said, "its good isnt it! we eat it all the time!" So then I are the whole plate and made myself more full than I've been in a really long time. Then I did it again a couple weeks later. So, all you gluten people in the north end, this is the place. The sauce is amazing too but whatever they do to that gluten free pasta, I feel like I can enjoy Italian food again. Also the service is wonderful- friendly and attentive but not too attentive. Highly recommended and worth whatever wait you have if you show up without reservations before a celtics game on a Friday.
(5)
Alyssa O.

Came here for a staff holiday party---the food was INCREDIBLE!!! Apps were great and my entree (pumpkin ravoli with brown sage butter) was amazing.
(5)
Ashley H.

Took a group visiting Boston, we had a party of 8 and had wait about a half hour on a Tuesday for our table I had reserved. The other large party before us was lingering. I was irritated, but knew it'd be worth it. Everyone in our group LOVED their food, service was great, and the bottles of wine affordable. This will be my go to place from now on to take out of towners. I have not been disappointed and this is by far my favorite place in the North End because of portion, price, service and ambiance. LOVE IT!
(5)
rose n.

I love Al Dente. I, personally, adore everything I eat here, and I adore the day after I eat here even more because I have leftovers! I love their pesto sauce, but every time I go someone gets the alfredo and I really want it. So I went here earlier this month and I finally tried it! It was amazing, not unique, but amazing. Their potato gnocchi is also great! They lose one star because my dad had the worst meal last time he came here. Based on the specials, it sounded like beef, vegetables, and potatoes in a thin pasta shell, but it ended up as tubes of meat paste. Maybe we weren't familiar with that food, but it was subpar. My other issue is that once, when I had reservations for 8, they made us wait over 30 minutes past our reservation. They couldn't control the other parties but I was very disappointed. Every other time I've gone, I haven't had a problem and I'm usually seated right away. The staff is wonderful and I think it's very clean and cozy. The bus-person was trying to drown us with water though last time and topped off our glasses every five minutes... A little silly, but it's better than being thirsty!
(4)
Andrew P.

Food and Service were top notch. Our waitress Margie was so nice. Felt like eating at a family member's house. This restaurant is now one of my favorite in the North End. One caution to you...the portion sizes are ridiculously large. Skip the bread. :-)
(5)
Rob C.

Was walking around the North End, and got a big craving for some good old fashioned red sauce & pasta Italian. Never been to this place before, just kind of stumbled upon it. First, the waitress was very friendly, and after I asked if they had beer on tap, she offered to go next door to their sister restaurant to get me a draft beer, since they don't have them there...wow, thanks for the offer, but I just opted for a bottle. Got a simple dish, bolognese with fusilli. The pasta tasted homemade fresh, and the sauce was absolutely amazing. It was exactly what I was craving, and seriously may have been the best pasta & sauce dish I've ever had. Just awesome, and big portion too. Yes, it's a small place, and I can see how it could be loud on a weekend night like I read from some of the other reviews...but maybe none of these people complaining about the restaurant being loud have been to many places in the North End. If you're looking for something quaint & quiet, there's not a ton of places that fit that bill.
(5)
Ben B.

Went here a few weeks ago for a lunch with a group of people. The restaurant was packed and was very hard for us to fit as a bigger group. Felt crammed into a corner and was not very comfortable during our entire meal. It was also very hard to hear people from across the table as there was a great deal of noise because the place was jam packed. The food was pretty good my appetizer was better than my entree. I ordered a homemade pasta which was decent but I am sorry to say I have definitely had better. Other people I was with didn't enjoy their meals as well. Seems to me this place may be hit or miss but I have only been there once. Coming from NYC and having so many excellent Italian places I just wasn't impressed.
(2)
Kate F.

Yummy!! A real normal, neighborhoody place ... nothing fancy about it, just good food. Highly recommend sharing, especially at lunch ... our Shrimp and Scallop a la Vodka (which was SO good!) could easily feed 3 people.
(4)
Kristen F.

I came here for a celebratory dinner with my family after graduation and it could not have been much better. I made reservations through OpenTable but we ended up being about 20 min early and they had no problem seating all 7 of us before the reservation. Service was super friendly, almost everyone working in the restaurant came over to congratulate me and talk to the group. As for food: I had the Scallops and Shrimp a la Vodka and it was Amazing. It was tossed in with delicious homemade pasta and the portion was large enough for me to have FOUR meals! (and it was still fabulous the next day in the microwave). We had a bottle of malbec which i liked and was not to expensive (~$30). Other notable dishes were the Pumpkin Raviolli which was a special and the only appropriately portioned dish at the table. And Eggplant Parm which is kind of a boring choice with all these options but was still well made. At the end of the dinner the waitress brought over complementary homemade limoncello shots to celebrate! And my dad says the best part was getting the bill because almost every dish was under $20. All in all a great meal in a fun and friendly setting! I will be back soon for more vodka sauce :) ps. park in Parcel 7 across Surface road for less than 3 hours and it only costs ONE DOLLAR!
(5)
Kelsey C.

Would you like to feel like a guest star on Jersey Shore? Would you like to release your inner bad-ass by asking the hostess to make sure there are no cops walking by and then running down the street holding two full glasses and a half-full bottle of wine? If you answered yes to the above questions, Al Dente is the place for you! Just make sure to show up very early for your reservation so that the host can send you to the bar of Benevento's (next door) to wait. The hostess there gives you the most enlightening advice: "If there are no seats, you can stand." Then, you can order a bottle of wine from the J-Wow look-alike bartender who will uncork the bottle and pour it into what looks like two small beer glasses. Let's pause to convey some sympathy for my suffocating Chianti...poor wine never got a chance to breathe! The good news is, after the rather bizarre experience at Benevento, our table at Al Dente was ready so we quickly and discreetly ran over with our bottle of wine and almost full glasses (but we had to pay for the wine there!). This is where the bizarre turns into a lovely dinner. Our table was ready exactly on time, and our server was the cutest, most pleasant Italian grandma-like lady ever. She immediately transferred our hypoxic (or is it hypoxemic?) wine into proper wine glasses. The gnocchi was perfectly cooked - the tomato sauce was good but nothing special but it's hard to make gnocchi so well so the sauce hardly mattered. The pesto is for picky eaters who can't handle real pesto but don't want to be scorned for requesting alfredo. 3 stars for the food. The thing that earned this place an extra star was the service. Although we lost track of time and stayed at the restaurant way past closing time, our server didn't bring us the check until we asked. Everyone was wonderfully friendly and pleasant and no one made us feel rushed or like we needed to leave. Bottom line: Really fun date place, but make sure your date has a working knowledge of Jersey Shore...and open container laws.
(4)
Jon G.

Really loved this place, and I'm generally wary of North End restaurants. (So many times we've been too hungry to wait at a place we know and end up getting a lousy meal at a nearby restaurant with an open table.) The shrimp and scallops in vodka sauce, with fresh homemade pasta, was just phenomenal. Prices were fair, atmosphere is 100% Italian -- not fancy, but not dingy or anything either. Like the Billy Joel song really. Service was great, too. If you're stuck in line at Giacomo's right now, try walking around the corner to this little gem.
(5)
Aaron N.

Incredible staff. Our server was great, the table tender was on the spot filling waters, bread, and clearing tables. Even the guy grating cheese had a personality. The food was phenomenal! We were expecting more of a fine dining setting (which really isn't our style). It was lively, but offers the opportunity for romance at the same time. I have been in restaurants my entire life and you rarely come across a place that offers a "dining experience". Al Dente does just that. Beyond impressed! Great job!
(5)
Insanomania A.

I love the North End and love the restaurants in that area. However, this one is not part of the good North End experience so I would recommend avoiding it and trying something better. Prices: not bad ($19-24) We ordered veal and chicken platters and both were full of rice mostly and a LOT OF tomato sauce and the meats really did not have any flavor. I am not sure how a plate that looked THAT messy was lacking this much flavor. the service was good though I have to admit.
(2)
Francesco L.

Another one of my north end go tos when were talking food quality. Although a bit pricey, the food and service will not let you down.
(5)
William H.

My expectations were high after reading the reviews and I must say, this place was great! The staff were very welcoming and multiple people checked on us through the evening. The food was truly fantastic...fresh pasta, fresh seafood and sauce that tasted home made. Prices are reasonable and a must visit in the north end.
(5)
Keith R.

went for lunch on a friday and there was no wait. our waitress took her time to take our food order but other than that the service was good. i got the veal parm with homemade pasta and it was really good. my gf got the Al Dente sandwich and it was better than my meal. it is a really good sandwich and perfect for lunch
(4)
Dan B.

This is the second time I have eaten here. This time we did take out and I walked over to pick it up. (20 minute walk from my place in the west end). The food was just being put in the bags when I arrived so perfect timing. The place was hopping, and full. I ordered the broccoli rabe with sausage and home made fusillini pasta. (which is not on the menu but you should order it for sure! ) For some reason I have become addicted to the fusillini. After the first time I had this dish on our first visit, I had thought about it often.. how tasty and perfectly cooked that pasta was. After walking back home the food was actually still hot.. and I sat down and.... omg... it was just as good.. and just as perfectly cooked as the first time. even after the 20 minute walk home. don't worry about anything else.. this food is just freakin good.
(5)
Ashley D.

This place is definitely my favorite Italian spot in the North End. I've only sat down and had dinner her few times, but it's always been great with great service. I usually just call in my order on my way home (since I live down the street). Either way the food is great. You have to try their cheese raviolis their my favorite.
(5)
Karen C.

Called and made a reservation for 8:30 on a Saturday night for a party of six. I had gone to this restaurant three weeks earlier with a party of eight. Got there early and let the doorman know. He said it would be 15 minutes. Fifteen minutes later he said the same thing. (Wait! "Another fifteen minutes!?") Hey wait, this is what happened three weeks earlier. We got "another 15 minutes" three times...JUST LIKE THREE WEEKS BEFORE. So basically, they took our reservation and did nothing with it. As we stood there waiting we discovered while chatting up two other groups (six person group and a seven person group) that they were treated the same; reservation taken, waited almost an hour. There is no bar to wait at, there are no seats outside; you stand on the sidewalk between the storefront and cars parked at the curb. Pedestrians bump into you as they walk by you on the small crowded sidewalk. One of my friends had requested a business card from the doorman earlier. After waiting about 45 minutes he gave it back to the doorman and said, "There's no way I can bring a client here and let them get treated like this." Finally seated next to the kitchen with our table so close to the next table that the waitress took their order while standing at our table. I noticed chairs were carried about the small room above the waiter's head almost hitting the lighting, there was simple no space in the room to carry a chair in front of you. I am thinking, "FIRE TRAP". Ladies Room door has a sign, "Lock Broken, Please Knock Loudly". Didn't like that much either. Not a hard lock to fix, which is really important for us, ladies. Again, six of us ordered. Five got a plate of food, one person in my group order was either not taken or lost in the process. Sad, he was the hungriest, having just arrived from Logan Airport. Another person in our group ordered veal with their dish, got chicken. Just a sad experience all around. Here's what I learned. Go to Catina Italiana, they take, AND KEEP reservations. You can sit at a bar and wait for your table. They have Valet parking. They don't over-crowd you. Their food is the same or better than Al Dente's. I am a sad-sad customer of Al Dente's.
(1)
Reyne R.

Amazing Linguine al Vongole and delicious Fettucine Carbonara too. Service was wonderful and we got everything we wanted quickly and with a smile.
(5)
erin s.

Terrible service, they were to busy focusing on getting people in and out rather than providing quality to those inside dining. I know it's a business but what we experienced was down right rude .food was decent but the poor service ensured I won't be going back.
(1)
Danielle K.

Al Dente's food never disappoints. The portions are enough for me to make 3 meals out of one dish. The pricing is on the lower side, for the North End. The restaurant is tiny, but worth a wait. The wait staff is wonderful and they remember you if you visit often. I'm very sentimental about this restaurant. My fiance brought me to Al Dente (we had our 1st date there) the night he proposed and the whole restaurant clapped for us.
(4)
Joe G.

Food is delicious and they don't cheat you on the portions. It's clear that the money goes toward the food and not the ambiance. Waiters know their stuff. Bring a family member and big parties here. Affordable.
(4)
Nicole S.

Our server Lisa was AMAZING! She was very considerate and attentive, making it feel as though we were having Sunday dinner at my mom's house. We were very satisfied with the Frutti Di Mare and the after dinner liquor. Al Dente is definitely going to become a staple during my tour of Boston for all of my out of town friends and family. Just absolutely Terrific!!!
(5)
Mel L.

Our first experience was on a quiet Sunday evening -had the place to ourselves! We ordered the Chicken & Eggplant Parmigiana, and Mussels Marinara. Both tasted absolutely fantastic, were largely portioned, and very reasonably priced. Service was flawless. We're looking forward to our next visit to the North End! **Update: Been back a few more times. The Pumpkin Ravioli is to die for!
(4)
Lisa R.

A friend and I came here for dinner last night after exploring the North End. The service simply could not have been more efficient or friendly. Everyone here was just amazing, as was the food! My friend and I each ordered an appetizer - she had some type of spinach crepes that looked really good, and I had the Eggplant Rollatini. I'm so glad we just got appetizers, because with just that and one piece of bread I was stuffed! I had a glass of sangria, which was excellent! I would definitely come here again. Their menu is just wonderful, and I want to try their lobster ravioli next time!
(5)
Sonny F.

Learn it bitches...this place is the best in town for awesome Italian and affordable prices...i would recommend reservations though as they are tiny and can get a bit busy. Check it out
(5)
Shannon E.

The sheer volume of italian restaurants in the North End is overwhelming... which one to choose? My husband and I were visiting Boston for the first time and we'd just come into town. We weren't in the mood for a huge line situation (like Giacomo's), or anything really expensive or fancy. But I still wanted a real North End Boston dining experience. I think it was the handwritten board outside and the charming grey-haired Italian guy (owner?) who seated us, that drew me in at first. But once in, we were quickly given bread (dry and not special) and water. The service here, as others mention, really is great. I loved the mellow atmosphere and the grainy Sinatra in the background. I'm cheesy like that, what can I say? The gnocci and canelloni were obviously housemade. The kind of dishes you can eat slowly, and savor with each bite. My husband was crazy about both dishes. Overall it strikes me as a no-frills type of place, and I liked that. If you're in the mood for a romantic authentic italian place, and you don't want to wait in line or spend a ton, I say it's a solid choice.
(4)
Evan M.

Large and hearty pasta dishes are definitely the best way to get your money's worth here. I tried the lobster ravioli and their handmade tortellini. They have top quality ingredients and a very good tomato base for the red sauces that the pasta was heavily coated in. Solid north end Italian.
(3)
David S.

Hands down best Italian restaurant in a neighborhood of the best of the best Italian food. Year after year i always get impressed that my food is above excellent.
(5)
Erik J.

Not the best looking in the north end, but one of my personal favorites. Inexpensive, consistent, good service. You won't go wrong here if you want a nice casual experience
(5)
Stephen C.

Some great food but our long wait left a bad taste from the start. We had a 1:30 reservation for 8 after my sister's graduation so we knew the restaurant would be busy and we may have to wait. When we arrived right on time, the host apologized that our table would not be ready for maybe 20 min. Fine. After waiting outside for 20 min, the host informed us that a table was available at the restaurant next door, Benevente, also owned by the al Dente family. We had eaten there before and their food is also great so we we seated at a table downstairs. No sooner had all our napkins hit our laps, the host again informed us there was a miscommunication and there was another group that had a reservation at that restaurant so we had to leave. Confused, annoyed and starving, we went back outside and waited another 30 min for a makeshift 8-top to open up at al Dente and we were finally seated. The chef set out two delicious apps right away to satiate our cranky crew. From there the food and drink were excellent. The best entree at our table was the chicken buona bocca off the daily specials. The bruschetta was also delicious, as was the gnocchi, made in-house. By this time the dining room was half empty so our waitress was very attentive and personable. If it wasn't for the experience before we were finally seated, al Dente would have definitely gotten 5 stars. I would recommend this or Benevente for excellent authentic Italian in North End.
(3)
Ricky S.

Just a block away from the famous Hannover st in North End, Al Dente is very standard compared to other big dogs along the Hannover street. There is nothing special about the food unless you are a huge fan of homemade pasta. My coworkers and I ordered veal saltimbocca, chicken cacciatore and veal valentino and none of them are especially memorable. One good thing is that they have a decent wine list with good pricing on them. Other than that, this place is pretty much passable.
(2)
Alex A.

Went there for lunch. Had eggplant parmigiana with farfalle and daughter asked for cavatappi with chicken and pesto sauce. Food was very tasty and great portion for price. Our waiter was very helpful and the overall atmosphere was very authentic.
(4)
Jennifer M.

We arrived before our reserved time but were seated right away. Service was very friendly. Food, however, was frankly not very good. I had read reviews about the lobster ravioli so we got them as an app. Definitely store bought -- pasta was thick and lobster was fishy. Portions of the main dishes were huge, but again just not very good. Pasta was not homemade. When I go to an Italian place in the North End what I'm wanting is the right amount of delicious homemade pasta, not huge amounts of mediocre store-bought pasta. We were disappointed and won't go back (despite the very nice service).
(2)
Ami S.

I LOVE AL DENTE! I have been here on quite a few occasions, all of which have been fantastic. One must have, is the spinach crepes. They are hard to find on the menu. I'm pretty sure they are listed on the back for some reason, but anyways a little bird told me to try them so I am passing this knowledge off to my fellow yelpers. They are delish. You get two decent sized crepes (remember it's an appetizer, larger parties order more than one). The crepes are loaded with spinach and are topped with a delish cream sauce and sliced almonds. MUST TRY! For dinner I have sampled many items. Gnocchi, veal parm, chicken parm and shrimp scampi are all delightful. Basic italian dishes that Al Dente does very well. Usually Al Dente has seasonal specials. Pumpkin Ravioli for example. These are usually offered in smaller appetizer sized portions if your table is interested in sampling something different without ordering them as your meal. Great idea... you get to try new things and still get your favorite for dinner with out being too full. Lastly... MAKE A RESERVATION. This place is busy, especially on the weekend. It's also tiny, so you'll be waiting outside. They do their best to seat you as close to your reservation time. I have never waited more than 15 minutes. Remember people... they don't know how long other diners are going to stay. Be patient. You'll get your seat and be fat and happy in no time.
(5)
Brian M.

Once again, I have to thank my fellow Yelpers, because you didn't let me down; you steered me to this gem in the North End for some fine Italian food. This was my first meal out in Boston ever, and it was incredible. While others call the restaurant "dank," think it's more just "small, dark and intimate." The server was incredibly friendly and made jokes with us all night. She made us feel like family, which made the evening more fun. The food was impeccable. I can't remember the name of what I had, but it was some sort of special chicken dish ("chicken al dente," maybe?) that melded all the flavors together perfectly. Service was also pretty quick, but not overly so. We ate dinner at a leisurely pace but were always checked on when we needed to. I feel like I got the true Italian North End experience. I'll be back.
(5)
Meredith S.

I lived in the North End for 3 years and only just now visited El Dente and wish I had went sooner. As everyone else noted, it's a small restaurant with outdated decor but it's true original Italian dining with extremely reasonable prices. We had the chicken parm, a shrimp and broccoli pasta dish and 4 glasses of Prosecco (we were thirsty that night!) all for $75 which is a STEAL in the North End as it would cost you well over $100 at a place like Fiore. Our waitress was very helpful with recommendations and even cracked some jokes. Although I did see other tables wait some time until a server finally came over who was not apologetic. Definitely get there early or be prepared to wait. We went on a Monday night at 5:45 and there was already a wait by 6:30. Based off my one experience here, I would recommend trying El Dente especially if you're looking to emjoy decent quality food and a few drinks without breaking the bank.
(4)
Kaity M.

Absolutely fantastic & worth the wait! We had a group of seven, and each appetizer and entree ordered we would definitely order again (although, the menu is so large it would be a shame not to explore it!). You can't believe the prices here ($19 for lobster ravioli--which can definitely cost upwards of $30 around here) and the fact that they validate parking for $3 is a huge plus. Portions are large and service was outstanding! While the Caesar salads were delicious but nothing special, I'd definitely recommend the house salad ($6) as it is topped with the works and the balsamic vinaigrette complimented it so well. What we ordered: Lobster Ravioli (two appetizers and one entree): perfectly plump and topped with top-quality shrimp Seafood Risotto: the white wine sauce was light and buttery Chicken Venensia Lasagna Shrimp & Scallops in Vodka Sauce Al Dente Special House salad Three Ceasar salads Our bill came to $330 including the tip and TWO bottles of Pino Noir.
(5)
Alexx B.

This is a must stop spot in Boston. The entire staff was very kind and helpful. My group if four all ordered something very different and each meal was amazing. They make their own noodles and sauces. I would recommend this establishment to anyone. Next time I am back in Boston this will be the first stop for Dinner.
(5)
Manuli T.

This an average Italian place in the North End and are super pricey. We had to wait for 30min to get in for dinner plus food is pretty bland. Not very cheesy but very very expensive. We came to this place and got a table for 6. Per person we ended up paying 60 bucks which include 2 cocktails, one piece app and 1 entree. All in all very cramped up place, average food, pricey menu and poor customer service. Not recommended for groups may be a couple good manage.
(3)
Catherine A.

Delicious Pomodoro and MEATBALLS!! The server was friendly and doing a great job serving the whole restaurant by herself (Blonde lady). Do yourself a favor and eat here!
(5)
Yma T.

The bf and I were in Boston for vacation. Al Dente was the first restaurant we went to in Boston. The place is small and quaint. There was a hostess standing in the front of the restaurant trying to get more patrons in. We were there around 3pm for a late lunch. We shared the lobster ravioli appetizer and shrimp scampi. (Read the reviews about their large portions and didn't want to over-order since we were staying at a hotel and didn't have a fridge to store left-overs.) OMG the lobster ravioli is the best I've ever had. We wish we would've came back to the restaurant during our trip.
(5)
Carol S.

What a fun place to eat! The waitress was so much fun that it was like being at her house instead of in a restaurant. There were 5 of us in our party, and we all loved our plates. It was very busy, but worth the wait.
(5)
Kimberly H.

One of my favorite spots for dinner in the North End! Like many of the best restaurants in the area, space is VERY limited, so expect a wait (it's worth it!) or make reservations in advance. My first recommendation is to start with something small or split an appetizer with your group. No matter how hungry you think you are, you will still leave stuffed with leftovers to take home. Oh, you just ran a marathon? Oh, you've been in hibernation all Winter? Doesn't matter, you still won't finish that plate of pasta! On my last visit, the two other's in my group didn't take my advice and started with a "bowl" of soup. I actually laughed out loud when I saw the size of the dishes they came out in. They both raved about the Minestrone and Lentil Soups, but were definitely not prepared for the size. For my main course I typically order the cheese tortellini with bolognaise or pesto sauce. I really wish there was a half and half option, because I struggle way too much to choose each and every time. On my last visit I gave in and ordered the pesto, but added a meatball with marinara on the side, genius. The service is prompt, friendly and knowledgeable. If you are reading this review before lunch, trust me, skip lunch and make dinner plans at Al Dente instead!
(4)
Jacqui P.

We had an amazing lunch. Not only is the food delicious but the service is exceptional. Lisa is knowledgable and a great waitress
(5)
Peter K.

Very good Italian in the heart of Boston's North End. I like the very light batter they use on the fried calamari served atop of jalapenos adding just a hint of spice. They have a very good marinara red sauce. Also the staff banter could be entertaining so you may get dinner and a show.
(4)
Jennifer M.

Beware: uncooked chicken. I ordered the Chicken Umberto and was horrified to cut into the middle and see flubbery, gelatinous, raw chicken. Our waitress was less than apologetic, and returned the same dish 10 minutes later after it had been simply microwaved. We were charged full price for the uncooked/microwaved meal. We also waited 20 minutes past the time of our reservation and found the room to be cold and noisy. Al Dente came highly recommended, but I will never return to a restaurant that can't figure out how to cook a piece of chicken.
(1)
Amy T.

Wonderful classic Italian place that holds it's own in the north end. Small place (20ish tables), friendly staff, open kitchen, good prices ($12-25 for dinner entree) and generous portions. Basic Italian bread on the table (I would have liked to see something a bit more flavorful) but overall it was a great experience. I had the chicken marsala and it was fantastic.
(4)
J B.

Summary: Terrible food quality, generous portion sizes, untrained service staff. Far better options for Italian are available in the North End. I think high star Yelp reviews are partly due to excitement of being in the historic North End and people in general having a poor idea of what good Italian should taste like. My girlfriend took me out to dinner here as this is one of her favorite spots in the north end and has been coming here since she went to high school. I was very excited to try this place out. By far the best part of the experience of Al Dente was leaving (and not getting food poisoning). You'll notice that most of the Yelp reviews generously describe the food as "good" - not great. They also mention lack of flavor - I couldn't agree more. I think this place gets return business due to a) location, b) lack of customer knowledge on what Italian should taste like and c) portion size. Yeah it's big, but it's awful. Service from the owner - 1 star. Zero customer service skills, I've felt more welcome at a McDonalds drive through. Service from the staff - they mean well but are rough around the edges. Food Bruschetta Appetizer - can of diced tomatoes dumped on a baguette with olive oil and fresh garlic. So many tomatoes that we had a pile of them next to the bread because it was impossible to eat without them spilling everywhere. Gnocci Al Dente with Chicken - The difference between the description of the dish, and what arrives in front of you is mind-blowing. Without a doubt one of the most bland dishes I have ever had in my life. Menu description: Fresh potato gnocchi tossed in a plum tomato sauce with sundried tomatoes, mushrooms, capers, basil, pecorino romano cheese and parmesan cheese, mushrooms and white wine. Reality: Potato gnocchi covered in something close to Hunt's Tomato Sauce. No sundried tomatoes. I think I spotted a couple capers. The cheeses / wine were also non-existent. Mushrooms were in abundance but also without flavor and with poor texture. Overcooked chicken. Shrimp & Scallops in Vodka Sauce - Vodka sauce was ok. Buy a nice jar at a grocery store and experience the same flavor. The fusilli was good, the highlight of the entire meal. I ended up spending $100 for a bottle of wine and the dishes mentioned above. You can get such a better meal in Boston - don't waste your money here.
(2)
Noelle D.

Service and pumpkin ravioli were amazing! Pizza from the sister restaurant was very good as well. Chicken parm was just ok.
(4)
Grace L.

When you're in the North End you got to eat some Italian food! We came on a whim and decided to give this place a try. The bread basket was nothing to rave about and the restaurant was pretty crowded. We ordered the lobster ravioli (4 for 12.95$, the entree is 6 for 19.95$) and the Farfalle with vodka sauce. Both was delicious! The lobster ravioli were huge with a tomato based sauce and there was some crawfish sprinkled on top. The vodka sauce was one of the best I've tasted - very rich in flavor which I believe came from the entire two onions there seemed to be in our dish. The portion for the pasta entree was enormous. The appetizer and one entree was enough for two. The waitress was really friendly and I'm very glad we for to come here!
(4)
Lesley W.

Food was good, service was great. Just a little tight space wise though. But I'll come again!
(4)
John C.

A fun, boisterous place in the heart of Boston's North End Italian enclave. Like most of the similar restaurants in this neighborhood, the tables are packed tightly, and the service on a busy weekend night is quite attentive to turn the table over quickly. The portions are plentiful, but the quality is just okay. On two visits the pastas were consistently overcooked, and the sauces were heavy, lacking finesse. For starters, the calamari in marinara sauce was tender and flavorful, but don't bother with the bruschetta. Still, it's a good value and fun for a group.
(3)
301 S.

I was searching for an authentic Italian restaurant on yelp prior to my visit. Sure enough, I agreed on Al Dente, and I was satisfy with the choice. The waitress were very attentive and provide unlimited warm delicious bread rolls with butter. I ordered the tri-color tortellini Alfredo and was in heaven the moment the tortellini tingled my taste buds. Overall, great restaurant, decent prices.
(4)
Charity A.

CLIFF NOTES VERSION: I would never eat here again and I suggest you do not either. Don't make the same mistakes I did. NARRATIVE: I read the mixed reviews on Yelp and didn't listen to the negative reviews-first mistake. There was 4 of us and we had a reservation for 8:00 through open table, we were early and were not seated until 8:40. Waiting outside for almost an hour while walk ups without reservations were seated-second mistake. We were all in a good mood because we were celebrating so it was easy to overlook the long wait.We waited close to 10 minutes for menu's and had to continually ask to order throughout the meal (third mistake), but I am getting a little ahead of myself. I ordered a bottle of wine and the waitress left the table without taking the 3 other people's drink orders. After she poured 2 glasses of wine she left again WITHOUT taking the rest of the table's drink orders. We eventually got her attention to order our appetizers. Both appetizers were the best part of the meal which is setting the bar extremely low. When our main courses arrived it was hardly worth the wait. Every plate was dreadful, a little salt would have gone a long way. Every plate lacked flavor, dull, bland, $25+ a plate food. I informed one of the wait staff that the chef should be told that the food is really bland. She just smiled as she removed my plate. There was not an offer to make it better, a visit from the manager, or even an apology. The service was poor, the food was the worst Italian food I have ever eaten-sentiments shared by most in our group. In summary, Al Dente is the GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING. My night ended by getting physically sick from dinner. I will spare you the details.
(1)
Caitlin M.

My fiance, a friend, and I tried to Al Dente based on reviews and their prices. From looking around online the prices are lower than other places in the North End. Our waitress was very personable. I had the chicken and broccoli penne, which was really good. My fiance didn't love his meal, but I forget what he got. We would definitely go back and try other menu items. With three entrees and a bottle of wine we spent $85 before tip. The place is really small so I definitely recommend making reservations, which you can do through Open Table.
(4)
Natalie J.

I live in the North End, and I've passed by Al Dente many times, but finally had the opportunity to stop in for dinner with a friend. We didn't have a reservation, but the "host" at the door was very nice and accommodating. This place is very casual in comparison to many of the white-tablecloth type places in the North End. The vibe is relaxed and the prices are reasonable. We each selected a glass of wine and a pasta entree, skipping over the appetizers. The waitress was so nice and friendly! It was just the kindest service, and the way the service staff interacted with one another had a nice family vibe to it. The portions were enormous! I ordered a pesto linguine, and it was literally big enough for two meals. Everything was very fresh. My only critique is that the pesto was way too oily. Literally, there was a pool of oil at the bottom of my plate. There goes all of my calories for the week... I probably wouldn't order this sauce again, but I really liked the restaurant overall, and I'm glad I only live a few blocks away, so I can come back!
(4)
Brenna A.

Went here this past Friday, and of course it was jammed but luckily I had made a reservation (definitely make a reservation). When we arrived, the gentleman running the reservations was very considerate & was trying to move everyone along so we could be seated. He even went in and cleared the table we were going to be sitting at. Very nice of him. The place itself is very small, only tables for 2 but can be pushed together for parties more than 2. Although it was small, it was cozy and very Italian-esque. Our waitress was very nice and friendly, and the service was prompt. For an app, we ordered the bruschetta. DELICIOUS! Definitely recommend it. For entrees, I got the farfalle pasta with pesto sauce & chicken, and my boyfriend got chicken parm. Mine was very good; the only con I would say was the pesto sauce was very oily. When I moved some of the pasta aside, there was at least a 1/2 inch thick "puddle" of oil at the bottom of the bowl. Besides that, it was very good. The chicken parm was also very good. Overall, I would definitely recommend Al Dente and the dishes we got. Will be coming back soon.
(5)
Jessie L.

I have to start out by saying I made my reservations for this restaurant on my yelp app super easy!!! The had my name at the door and took me in right on time. The ambiance here is key. It's a small little place right in the middle of the north end . You really get that family feel here. Our waitress Margie was so cute I just wanted to give her a hug at the end of our meal My food was ok. My boyfriend and I ordered the tortellini and shared it was huge!! And a salad also huge!!. The bonus here was you could choose your type of hand made pasta and then your sauce and I LOVE that! Over all I would come back but it wouldn't be my first choice. Cheers and Happy Eating
(3)
John D.

Great traditional Italian.
(4)
Kerri O.

We made a reservation and when we got there we were immediately seated as promised. There was already bread and butter with water on the table when we were seated (they did it right before we sat down - they were on top of things!). Our waitress Andrea was super nice and attentive. She even suggested dishes and wine! We tried what she recommended and it was delicious! The food was soooooo good and reasonably priced. We would definitely go back! :)
(5)
Lisa S.

Delicious, fresh, home made pasta, great sauce, great service, nice and cozy....love the Nawth End!! I ordered the pasta L'Amatriciana (pancetta, onion, romano cheese) which I loved. I ordered it with the homemade pasta for the extra charge, worth it....my daughter at the Primavera...she ate hers and took mine home with her. Its a huge portion. The service was great, a super friendly server who practically sat down with us and wanted to hear "our story" along with taking our order. A very nice lady. There was a guy at the door when we first walked in who was telling us about some recent awards the restaurant had won....he was good at getting our attention first since I am not one to listen to the "guy at the door". When he opened the door it smelled good inside so that's how we first decided to head in there and quickly read some reviews before ordering as well :)
(4)
Joe A.

After wandering around, overwhelmed by all the Italian restaurants nearby, I settled on this place and am so glad I did! Friendly wait staff, authentic food, and cold beer. Small, busy, and noisy - it's like being in Florence. I had the gnocchi in Alfredo sauce (awesome) and the Caesar (anchovies!). As others have said, skip the bland bread on the table, but don't skip this restaurant.
(5)
Matt L.

I visited Al Dente during a trip to Boston and I am very glad I decided to try it. This was by far one of the best Italian restaurants I have ever been to. I got the cavatappi pomodoro with chicken and my girlfriend got the shrimp scampi. Both we very excellent and served in large portions. My only recommendation: be sure to make reservations. It is a small place and it can be pretty loud, but the wait staff is incredibly friendly and helpful. And of course the food is unforgettable.
(5)
Toni H.

We have been to Al Dente several times in the past with exceptional service and food, however on this occasion our experience was horrendous. From the moment we walked in we felt ignored. There was no one there at the time and our waitress proceeded to ignore us for 15 minutes and then walked by and said I'll be right back. She went to the kitchen and chatted with the cooks for another 15 minutes and finally came over and asked if we were ready to order. We stated we'd like to start with a drink first and she said ok. After another 10 minutes the drink order came and we ordered fried calamari. 20 minutes later it came. I asked is there a reason it took so long and she stated I just bring it out! As I stated no one was there. We had to ask for another drink and ordered our food. The food took another 20 minutes to come out and was overcooked and much smaller portion than ever before. As I stated no one was there. A few more people came in and there service was just as bad as ours. In 1 hr. and 20 min. the only food that came out was calamari and our dinner. Our waitress's name was Marie and I would never want her to serve us again. She was too busy chatting with the cooks or other people from the neighborhood. We were so disappointed with our visit we may not ever go there again. Such a shame how one waitress can put such a sour taste in our mouths!
(1)
Celena C.

Potentially my favorite restaurant in Boston. I go every time I come here. Staff are friendly, the atmosphere is great and the food is even better. A real taste of Italy! I wish this place was bigger and I wish there was one in LA just like it !
(5)
Tom H.

We ordered the Cannelloni and Linguini Vongole. The food was average, not what I was expecting from the hyped up reviews from this place. The bread they serve prior to the meal was not warm, pretty standard fare. The portions were generous but we were not inspired to stuff out ourselves. The services was average also. The restaurant was old, but not nostalgic. More like run-down and uninspiring. I gave this place an average rating only because I'm comparing it to other restaurants in general. If I was to compare it to the other Italian restaurants in the north end of Boston it would be below average. My recommendation is to skip this place.
(3)
Michelle P.

I made a reservation via open table for 3 people at 8pm for Saturday 8/23 and had zero issues. We arrived about 10 minutes early and were immediately seated. I HIGHLY recommend making reservations as there was a line when we got there. It's small inside and LOUD, so probably not a good location for a romantic date, but we were there as a family, so who cares! The food was delicious. Like seriously so. Appetizers were enjoyed all the way around and were huge portions. Entrees were equally as huge and tasty. I got the gnocchi in the Quattro Formaggio sauce, Dad got the homemade cheese ravioli with a side of sausage and my Mom ordered the cannelloni, which was stuffed with a mixture of cheese, beef, carrots (ground up into a pate type consistency). I would not hesitate to dine here again. They cap you off with a shot of limoncello as well. Yes, it's loud, but the service was friendly, food delicious and portions huge. I would suggest you take public transportation as it's super cramped in the North End, but they do have a place to park if needed.
(4)
Pooja R.

My friend and I came here on Memorial day at around 7PM. There was no wait and we were kindly seated immediately. Our waitress was a very sweet lady who seemed a little stressed out though. The atmosphere in the restaurant was very hustlin' and bustlin' as the waiters were trying to navigate the restaurant in a timely manner. My friend and I both ordered pasta dishes (I went with the classic pomodoro sauce with penne pasta. It came out in a timely manner and I was impressed with the serving size - it was humongous! We kept eating but it looked like we never made a dent in the pasta. We took the pasta home and it fed us for another 3 meals. It ended up being $40 plus tip total for two pasta bowls. However, it was worth it as the meals ended up lasting for many more days. Overall, the place was very delicious! The wait staff just made us a little uncomfortable.
(4)
Joseph S.

Incredible! My wife and I are spending some time in Boston over the holiday and wanted to get some incredible Italian food and were pointed to Al Dente, and what a wonderful place! We didn't have reservations but the bouncer let us in, got us a table and we were served quickly. The waitress was very nice and brought out probably the best Chicken Parmesan I have ever had! We highly recommend this place!
(5)
Mark F.

A family affair...to remember. Reservation on Opentable for 9:00 PM Walked into a almost empty room. Slow night and rain won't stop me from trying al Dente. Margie, our server was a hoot and sweet to boot. Made some recommendations but I spy with my eye the Veal Valdostona with a side of gnocchi. Partner went with the lobster ravioli. A few beers later the hot plates arrived. Holy moly that's allot of food but we both received the clean plate award. I was stuffed but it was worth it. Joe, the owner, came by and met the tables. A real family feel, the real deal. Takes credit cards but no desert or coffee. No matter, the food was delish.
(4)
Jay C.

If you are lucky enough to have Bonnie as your server you will be in for a treat. Even if you don't, though, this is a great place in the north end. Fresh tomatoes on the bruschetta, amazing fusilli (generous portions!) made on premises and a good basic wine list make this a place to which I will return.
(5)
Brian H.

We started with the lobster ravioli was awesome. My girlfriend got Quattro Farmaggiao which was really good. I got the carbonara with chicken. I would have chosen a different type of pasta. overall, not too bad at all. Oh, and Jo-Jo the server was really great. She was nice and friendly.
(4)
Autumn Y.

This is REAL Italian food done right!!! Walk into the North End and you will find this little gem. Great food for a decent price. True to Italian tradition, the portions are huge! I ordered the shrimp and calamari in spicy marinara with bowie pasta- delicious! I really have high expectations when a restaurant claims to have spicy sauce and this place definitely delivered! The sauce was a perfect blend of spice. The shrimp and calamari were fresh and cooked just right. My boyfriend ordered the shrimp and scallops a la vodka- to DIE FOR! The homemade pasta in this dish and vodka sauce are absurd- amazing! Melts in your mouth. The place is pretty small so it is not very intimate for a diner date but the service was great. Plus you can see into the kitchen and it is all Italians cooking back there- which is always a sure sign the food is authentic! Highly recommend if you're in the area and in the mood for Italian.
(4)
Jase K.

This place is one of many great options for Italian eating in the North End, but what drew me there was the offering of homemade pasta! I ordered the Quattro Formagio with the homemade Fussilli, which added on a few extra bucks but was well worth it. The bread they give you prior to ordering is great too but careful how much you eat because most their portions are pretty big.
(5)
D T.

Very good Italian food. We love the smell of garlic over hot oil! This is my first trip to Boston, and my wife and I found this great restaurant on Sunday evening - Mother's Day. So, we decided to comeback today (Monday evening). We did not have reservations, but they seated us quickly. My wife's plate of shrimp (good sized shrimp) penne pasta was hands down the best she's ever had. I had their wonderful chicken milanese. Very friendly staff. We highly recommend this restaurant if you're looking for good home cooking Italian.
(5)
Joelle K.

I have no idea how this place is so highly rated! Do not go here when you have so many tasty options for food in the North End. My husband and I went and had gnocchi and seafood risotto. Both were extremely tasteless.
(1)
Susie B.

We found this place on yelp! It was the pic & review of the lobster ravioli that really made me want to try the place. So, I did, ordered the lobster ravioli and I was not disappointed! It was cooked perfectly, large portion, with big pieces of lobster in the sauce! My boyfriend ordered the chicken parm and it was also very good. The waitress, Andrea, was pleasant and made us feel comfortable. The place is small but we went for an early lunch and was seated immediately. I would recommend this place.
(4)
Raul G.

Let me start by saying I have not had great success in the North End for what I consider classic Italian food. I'm a NY'er and in my opinion it doesn't get better than that unless you go to Italy. Now, Al Dente is not on Hanover St, which is kind of nice. It's on a smaller street with some other restaurants. Like other places in the North End its small. It is also casual, which is great when you don't feel like getting dressed up, and the prices are good for what you get. As for the food, I was wow'ed. My wife had the lasagna, I had the frutti di marre, and friends had the lobster ravioli and gnocci. We all REALLY enjoyed our meals. The pasta was good, red sauce was great (on the sweeter side), the portions were big, and the wait staff made you feel like family. Even the dipping sauce for the bread was great. I highly recommend if you're looking for the good stuff. I know we'll definitely be returning.
(5)
Emily N.

First off, let me say that the food is amazing. I definitely felt like I was having authentic Italian food! The service...eh. I had a reservation for 3 people and when we got there, there were zero tables available and a long line of people waiting. Why take reservations if youre not going to keep them?? The man at the door who checked us in was very rude. He made us wait outside (in 20 degree weather) and, no joke, basically pushed us out the door, My bag go caught because he literally closed the door ON us. I almost left right then in there. When we finally got seated the waitress was very nice and the food was excellent. I'm glad we waited it out but they definitely need to work on their customer service
(4)
Christie B.

Just ok. The menu items looked fancier in description than the dishes in reality actually were. I was sort of disappointed in my sausage and vegetable dish, as it wasn't as flavorful and fresh as I had hoped. The red and green bell peppers had that sourish taste that indicated they weren't fresh and the sausage was just meh. The bread basket was delicious though and my dining companions really enjoyed their dishes, so maybe I just chose the wrong thing? I really wonder if waitstaff are instructed to place groups consisting of young, good looking people at the front of the restaurant near the window. There were tons of tables near the front, including a nice windowside table, but the receptionist took us all the way to the back near the restroom. I politely asked if we could sit by the window and he acted Iike he was surprised that we would want to sit there. As we were neither young nor good looking (and had just spent the day at the beach so we were covered with sunscreen and had hat hair) perhaps my theory is right.
(3)
Craig B.

fantastic meal, recommended by a friend originally from just outside Boston we arrived w/a reservation I made earlier that morning on the web, good thing I did because there was a line outside the small intimate restaurant to get in the small intimate restaurant mussels, ossobuco, soup, wine friend had handmade frisilli scampi Great meal, atmosphere, service walking distance to get a cannoli afterwards
(4)
Christina Y.

I was very excited to try this restaurant and made an 8:30 reservation through Open Table for three this past Saturday. We got there around 8:32 and the place had a little crowd outside the door. Great, looks like I chose a great spot. I went in to check in with the host and waitress, they claimed they couldn't find my reservation and there was no way there are so many 8:30 reservations. Uh oh. I showed them my confirmation email and the waitress went to the back to check again and said it was there. Jackpot, I don't mind waiting for a few minutes for some amazing Italian cooking. We wait outside for ten minutes and the host jokes around and tells the crowd outside he is trying to get the waitress to get people packing...funny (but I wouldn't want to be the ones rushed). Ten more minutes past by and finally a table leaves. To my disappointment, not my reservation. The host comes out again and tells us again he is trying to get things moving. Ten minutes later, two tables leave. Again...not us, again...disappointed. More people checks in for a 9 o'clock reservation and the host adds them to the list. After another fifteen, the host finally tells us our table is clearing up and he will seat us as soon as possible... So for my 8:30 reservation, we were seated at 9:20... They did not tell us that we would have to wait such a long time and we never got an apology for having to wait 50 mins for our reservation. Our waitress was nice and our food was good. However, this is not a place I would have waited so long to get a table.
(3)
Trevor S.

Friends of ours in Toronto recommended Al Dente, so we made a reservation for a Saturday night. We were not disappointed! Our experience started at the door with Michael. We arrived quite early and our table wasn't ready until well after our reservation time but Michael kept us entertained. We loved his sense of humour and his attentiveness! Michael is Al Dente!! Inside, our server Andrea was top notch and we loved hearing about her growing up in North End Boston and how the neighborhood has changed over the years. She introduced us to Margie who is the senior waitress at the restaurant and in her own words, was a waitress at the Last Supper! The whole experience at Al Dente is something we will never forget and we will definitely go back on our next trip to Boston. Don't think about making a reservation, just do it! You will not regret it!! One of Boston's best!!
(5)
Tara G.

I would give this place 5 stars if they didn't put on such a production about getting a table. We made a reservation and still had to wait outside. 5 stars for the food - it was delicious! I had fresh pasta and it was amazing. The wine selection is not great, but pretty reasonable prices. Service was great too - fast and polite (much more polite than the host). If I were back in Boston, I may try a different place in the North End because I'm sure they are all good, but I could see coming back here for the food alone.
(4)
Kelly C.

I really enjoyed my authentic Italian experience in the famous North Boston neighborhood. The restaurant is fairly small as it is an old block so I would highly recommend getting reservations. The waitstaff was very very nice but not extraordinarily speedy. The food was excellent as you can imagine I highly recommend the lobster ravioli.
(4)
Virginie C.

Food was mediocre, I had the chicken parmigiana and it did not meet my expectations at all. Olive Garden and Buca do a better job at making this classic dish. Our waitress also wasn't very polite and respectful. However, there was another waitress who was extremely pleasant...wish she had been serving our table!
(2)
Kimberly K.

Excellent service, but no open summer seating. My lasagne noodles were overcooked, so it was all a tad mushy. But the flavor was great. Good meatball. He ate the linguine bolognese. It was excellent. Bread was so so and prices reasonable.
(4)
Melinda B.

Delicious food, great service, no complaints! The chicken parm was perfect and everyone at the table enjoyed fresh mussels. The drinks were tall and the lemoncello shots at the end of the meal were creamy and delicious!
(5)
S M.

Food was pretty good but the service was awful we even had a reservation but they only had one server for the entire restaurant lunch crowd. In my opinion it was overpriced even for Boston at lunch. Try Lucia's instead
(3)
Ryan G.

I first visited Al Dente over the summer before a concert at Fenway. We checked reviews of restaurants in the North End and Yelp had Al Dente ranked high on that list. I am from Providence and my favorite food is Italian so I have high standards when its comes to Italian food. I forgot what I had the first time, but it was very tasty and the portions were very generous. Me and my girlfriend went back to Boston this past weekend and we were going to try a different restaurant but we decided to just go back here. Well needless to say the food here is amazing one of my favorite places in New England. The carbonara with homeade pasta was probably the best I ever had and they give you alot of food. If you are in Boston and want authentic italian food you need to eat here. Reservations are recommended.
(5)
Justin M.

Visited Al Dente in December around the holiday and called about an hour before we arrived. They were able to seat us without a reservation which was great! The staff was very friendly, outgoing and helped with the selection of our meals. Al Dente is not a big space but that is the norm in the North End. I wasn't a big fan of the fried calamari but my veal was delicious and my girlfriend's pasta dish was so big it lasted an additional few days for leftovers. Also, we were one of the last tables in the restaurant and they didn't even try to rush us to leave. Overall, good atmosphere in the restaurant, food is delicious and very friendly wait staff. Recommend to anyone looking for an authentic Italian cuisine!
(4)
Cassandra C.

Good size for a good price. They're definitely solid dishes, but they won't blow your socks off. I was surrounded by a lot of families on a Friday night, so feel free to bring your kids!
(4)
Danielle L.

Great, small place. Been here a couple times and can't say enough good things. Every restaurant in the North End is better than the last! Throw them in a hat and pull one out, it'll be great!
(4)
Elliott B.

First of all, I love the location. Al Dente is on Salem Street, which is a lot quieter than the bustling Hanover Street one block over. Yet, the North End ambiance is still alive and well. We booked a reservation through OpenTable for 7:30, and arrived around 7:15. Upon arrival, the manager/owner told us it would be about ten minutes, and we stepped outside to the street and waited. And waited. And waited some more. At 7:50, just as we were about to jump ship for the restaurant across the street, we were seated. Well almost. We were ushered into the restaurant at which point the manager/owner dissapeared. So we waited for several more minutes, at which point he came back, pointed to a table that was open, at which point we finally sat down. What saves this restaurant is the food. My beef tenderloin wrapped in prosciutto with four-cheese risotto was amazing. Perfectly cooked and just the right amount of meat that I was full but not stuffed. Service was fast and the server was friendly. All in all, this was a great place to get the "North End" ambiance on a Friday night.
(3)
Emily G.

Yelp helped me find this place and did not disappoint! I needed a North End restaurant that accepted reservations and was able to host a group of 10 for a Saturday lunch. We had a wonderful experience! We were seated right on time for our reservation. Everyone loved their food-- although a word of caution, the portions are very large! Our waitress was spectacular, and made us all feel right at home. They do not serve dessert, unless there is a special occasion in your party (ex. birthday). With Mike's and Modern right around the corner I thought this made a lot of sense. I will definitely be back again soon, whether with a big group or small.
(4)
Derek M.

Family run kind of place, good service and good drinks. I ended up getting the chicken parm and wasn't impressed. Decent favors but I shouldn't struggle to cut through the chicken. Very tough.
(3)
Jon B.

This place is very authentic, great Italian atmosphere. The ceased salad was fantastic, aswell as the the lobster ravioli. The chicken parm was also good. The prices were reasonable, overall one of the best Italian restaurants I've been to.
(5)
Julie T.

Luckily was able to call early in the day and get a reservation for 4 the same night. Mike the host was very accommodating and our waitress Angela was friendly, offered suggestions and provided great service. This is not a swanky place but a nice casual neighborhood spot with great food and decent prices. As mentioned in other reviews the appetizer spinach crepes were fantastic. Would definitely dine here again.
(4)
Chelsea L.

I went here with my mom when she visited Boston because I felt as if it would be criminal to have her in town and not have dinner in the North End. With so many highly-reviewed restaurants in the area, I made a reservation for Al Dente and prepared my stomach for some carb overload. We arrived and were seated promptly. The bread basket came out first, and I was actually a bit disappointed at the quality. It was a bit stale, but hey, it's free bread, so I dipped it in the olive oil to give it some moisture and gobbled it up. One of the waitresses then came over and recited the specials for the day in great detail, which made my mouth water immediately. We both decided on the lobster ravioli appetizer and my mom got the dish that had BOTH chicken and eggplant parmesan (with spaghetti) while I got the eggplant lasagna (one of the specials...as you can see we both love eggplant). Food came out pretty quickly, the lobster ravioli was AMAZING! They weren't skimpy on the lobster and we kept on dipping the free bread into the sauce because it was so delicious. My eggplant lasagna was perfect as well, with the eggplant not being too mushy or tough, and although I could only take about three bites because I was already so full, I enjoyed every one. I also tried some of my mom's chicken/eggplant parm, and it too was an A+. We sat at a small middle table for 2 so space-wise it was very limited, but the food definitely makes up for it. The ambiance was very nice and authentic, yet casual so I don't suggest coming here for a dressy date. Portions were on point, and I had a lot of leftovers for lunch the next day. (My mom and) I approve.
(4)
Jessica A.

Went recently and had great meals! Polite service, large portions and delicious food! It's a little cramped but the ambiance is nice and lived up to the nice reviews! Wished we'd known about the discounted parking before we came but next time...
(4)
Michael D.

OH EM GEE, this place is PHENOMENAL. Came here after waiting an hour at giacomo's only to realize that we werent gonna get seated in time. Greeter in front was hilarious, made the time pass by really quickly. What I LOVE about this place is that it's truly italian. The waiters, waitresses, and doorman were all yellin at each other and hugging and kissing and ahh! I felt just like family here. NOT TO MENTION the food was amazzinggg! They offer a butt ton of sauces, so you can customize your meal! I got the tortellini carbonara ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pOEHâ€¦ ) and my brother got the shrimps and scallops a la vodka ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pOEHâ€¦ ). Tortellini was fresh and the carbonara sauce was CREAMY and TASTY although I wouldve preferred a little more pancetta... the shrimps and scallops were cooked to the perfect tenderness and served over perfectly-al dente fusili and vodka sauce to die for. OH, and TRY THEIR PARMESAN. SUPER SHARP, SUPER INTENSE, and SUPER TASTY... I had to ask em for extra just so i could nibble on it on the side!
(4)
Andy S.

What a disappointment. Made a reservation in advance, arrived on time and I had to wait 25 minutes for a table. The door greeter was highly insulting - all he did was play with his cell phone and even left the restaurant to chat with some friends down the street, making other guests walk in and talk to the already busy waitresses. The place is tiny, loud and packed which is okay, except that it had no air conditioner, and was sweltering hot. Maybe the AC broke. The food was odd. The lobster ravioli was pre-made, a bit tough, and had a fishy flavor. The veal was well cooked over a sauce that destroyed it- salty, watery. Below average. The waitresses are friendly but super-stressed out. It seems like the management is terrible at this place. Not recommended.
(1)
Jeremy L.

Fantastic Italian food. Cool atmosphere. Would highly recommend if you're in Boston.
(5)
Brad B.

One of the many in the North End but one of the few to go old, old school. There is not a posh pasta noodle in this place but everything as you would expect is made as you order and cooked Al Dente. Other "Italian" restaurants try but usually bring over cooked pasta that can be borderline too soft these guys get it right. Thanks for a great job and great meal.
(5)
Alexis K.

AMAZING! I love this place and wish I could eat here every night! With the North End it can be a little bit of a crab shoot as some places can be total tourist traps but this place is delicious. I had their homemade Fussilli pasta with A'Matriciana sauce (A mixture of pancetta (Italian ham), onion, pecorino romano and tomato sauce). It was so fresh and perfectly cooked and the portions are huge. I had enough for three meals. When you go you pick from a variety of pastas and then pick the sauce you want to go with it. YUM! Also my friend and I couldn't decide on a bottle of wine so they brought us samples of both. We also stayed at our table for a good two hours and way past closing. They never hurried us or asked us to leave (such a rarity in the North End). We got to enjoy our amazing meal at a leisurely pace. I will definitely be going back and I would recommend it to anyone!
(5)
Darlene L.

I didn't choose any stars, we made an 8:30 reservation using opentable. We arrived promptly & checked in. As we were in line we were told they were just seating the 7-7:30 reservations. We left & had a lovely dinner at La Familgia
(1)
Steven S.

On a hot and humid day, and hungry from following the Freedom Trail, we stopped in here based upon a quick search on the smartphone. Started with the mussels marinara - I've eaten mussels many times, but their mussels marinara was superb. Then I couldn't decide between the lobster ravioli and the veal milanese. The waiter suggested getting the lobster ravioli appetizer (4 raviolis) and the veal milanese as an entree. The lobster ravioli was phenomenal. Also the best I've ever tried. My daughter ordered chicken parmagiana. Both her dish and my veal milanese were excellent (I liked mine better). With fettucine noodles were out of this world. Service was excellent. Despite eating this meal at an odd time (3:30 pm) the restaurant was lively and staff very attentive.
(5)
Shari J.

Food was fine this time. But the waitress took our orders, didn't bring the wine, and when we started wondering where the heck she was (this place is tiny, you can't just disappear), we were told by another server, that she "stepped out for a few minutes and had an issue". Umm, yea, great, but you never got us our drinks and didn't put our orders in! No apologies from the manager or the server (when she got back from her "issues") and obviously, nothing taken off the check to compensate for our wait. Sure, it's a Saturday night, but we had been waiting quite a while (reservation at 8, got seated at 8:45pm) just to get in, and the server disappearing without warning just added insult to injury. I really like this place (have spent many a birthday/anniversary celebration there), but I'm really going to think twice about going back now, unfortunately.
(2)
Hana M.

Came here on a visit into town. The food was fabulous and fresh. The service was OK. Our waitress failed to tell us about the specials which I overheard another waitress telling her table about, and I thought it was tacky that she gave out three checks to tables adjacent to each other at the same time and gave everyone a free small dessert but us(although we were way too stuffed--just the principal). She was older and was perfectly nice, but I was underwhelmed by that. Our bus boy was actually fantastic. Fast, attentive and super helpful when we were making our main dish choices. Also the man outside seating people was very sweet and on top of everything--so that was all very pleasant. The lobster ravioli was to die for.
(4)
D L.

LOVE this place! Went twice in one week, all the way from L.A. It is dark, but like an old fashioned living room. Very very friendly service and they do make you feel right at home. The food is just outstanding. THe first night, my hubby and I shared the shrimp and scallop vodka pasta. DELISH. The homemade pasta is great but it is a bit thick, so if you prefer thinner noodles, skip the homemade and get the linguine. The second time, we had the shrimp scampi with linguine. Just outstanding. The Ceasar salad for 2 feeds the whole family, and each dish feeds at least 2 people. You can't go wrong here!
(5)
Liz L.

Incredible food! Fresh pasta! &the scampi is to die for! You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Maya L.

Decided to try a new place in the north end, as we didn't feel like spending an hour in line to get in Giacomo. We loved absolutely everything about this place! The food was perfect! Worth mentioning is the the lobster ravioli in an amazing rose sauce, and the stuffed veal with risotto from their specialty menu. The atmosphere is completely authentic (also thanks to a few very Italian characters that were dining around us), and the service is outstanding! They do not have deserts or coffee, but the waitress recommended a cafe around the corner for that.
(5)
Mama Z.

Che molto bene! With an out of town guest, 1 and 3 year old daughters, packed in like sardines, they accommodated with everything we needed- sippy cups, to dairy free options...all food made fresh to order, right there! You can look right into the kitchen and see whats cooking [needs a good scrubbing, but it is good fare!]
(4)
Matthew A.

Been here twice now and I must say I love it!! this place has some amazing pasta!! The carbonara fusilli is to die for as well as the pasta with vodka sauce. its a classic north end italian restaurant. small place so get ready to sit next to some strangers. Nice people and freaking great pasta. Plus you wont have to wait 2 hours like some of the more popular places (aka giacomos sp). Also they validate parcel 7 parking! Prices avg from 12-16 $ per plate. But i can almost promise you wont finish it! The portions are huge!
(5)
Sawyer E.

Went to Al Dente with a group of my buddies and it was the essential North End dining spot. The food was really good! I ended up having ziti cabonara (egg sauce, which if you've never tried, you should give it a shot) and it was cooked to perfection. The bread was the only minor downside, a bit hard but once you dip it in that oil who cares anyway. The Reason to Go Back: ANGELA, out waitress was one of the best I have ever had in Boston. We showed up to the restaurant in suits, and she noticed we were all having messy dishes so she made make-shift bibs and put them around our neck. I managed to get a little of my sauce on my collar and off she went to get the "stain stick" and got it right out. That is service you cannot buy, she had to learn her hospitality from years of hardwork and pleasing customers. Al Dente was great! Thanks!
(4)
Allison B.

Perfect pasta (homemade) and reasonably priced. I can't wait to go back here. The service is definitely brusque, but very fitting for the North End. I think the waiters and waitresses all have a ton of personality, even if they aren't syrupy-sweet like most Americans might be used to for service personnel. They treat you like family here and are really invested in you having the best possible meal. The servers are eager to offer suggestions/recommendations for dishes, and they even end your meal with complementary shots of Limoncello.
(5)
Steph F.

A solid Italian meal. We visited on a Wednesday night. The atmosphere was casual and was a little loud and "cozy", but not anymore so than the other places we have visited in the North End. Part of the experience :) Venturing off Hanover St, we got the feeling a lot of the patrons were locals. Try the homemade fusilli - truly delicious. My husband got a fusilli special with broccoli rabe and chicken, I ordered tri-color linguine with the pomodoro sauce, and we shared both. I like the mix and match format of the pasta menu (pick your pasta and pick your sauce) though some may find the explicit extra $3 for homemade pasta to be off-putting. We did receive complimentary (creamy?) limoncello at the end of our meal. All in all, a satisfying choice for a casual weeknight date.
(4)
Harry T.

A very good friend recommended this restaurant to me on my visit to Boston. He had been at the restaurant a short time before my planned vacation. He knew I wanted to hang out in the North End. What can I say? If you have any friends that are of Italian descent, this restaurant is like going to their home for a dinner. Everything is so Italian and so wonderful. The veal, the chicken, the pasta. And if they have made the limoncello do get some and then ask for more. My first visit here but it will not be my last. Andrea is the lady from the wait staff to ask for to handle your table. Place is small and you are packed in but don't let that stop you. My fiancÃ©e and I were not from the neighborhood and not from Boston but even the regulars from the area treated us as friends. We enjoyed our meal and drinks and really did not want to leave. But we felt we needed to clear our table for some other lucky souls who wanted to get in. The place is small, as stated, and there is not even a bar. But do make a visit if in Boston and if you live there I am sure this is a regular stop for some great Italian food and atmosphere.
(4)
Cath M.

Boss and I came to the "North End" to get some Mike's Pastry but once we stepped out of the cab... the array of good food smell was just too intoxicating that we both decided that we're hungry after all! Since most restaurants were packed already... we ended up here from good reviews from our coworkers (they had dinner here a few days earlier) and thankfully, we managed to get a table for two ( opentable.com ) and seated within 15 minutes of our arrival. We ended up chatting with the host outside... funny guy... solid sales man... We bypassed getting appetizers since we were still full from our early happy hour session... I ordered the Al Dente Special which consisted of Saute' scallopini of veal, chicken, and shrimp, fresh broccoli florets, mushrooms, red and yellow vinegar peppers, artichoke hearts in a white wine garlic butter sauce. OMG... first look... first bite: amazing! The pasta (it says on their menu that it's made fresh and man oh man... did it taste fresh... hell yah!) The portion was huge... packed with all the goodies stated on the menu and I didn't even get to do any real damage to my entree... I got full after a couple of bites! The seasoning... the freshness of the ingredients... were all just good. I so wanted to take it home but for some reason... Sheraton decided NOT to have a mini fridge in my room... great! Staff was friendly and prompt. Definitely worth checking out folks! Though just remember you'll get nice and cozy with other folks since the place is tiny!
(5)
Andy S.

Host (gentleman with grey hair) was terrible. We had a 7:30pm reservation for 6, we showed up at 7:30pm, the host told us it would be 10-15 minutes so we didn't mind waiting. It took them over 50 minutes to seat us. Food was great. Gnocchi with Pomodoro sauce was very good. My girlfriend really liked the mussels. Everyone else enjoyed their entrees. Our waitress Lisa was exceptional! The host really put a damper on the night. All the host had to do was tell us it would be 50 minutes and we would have gone next door for a drink and come back for dinner. If it wasn't for the host I would have given Al Dente 5 stars. (29-MAY-2013)
(2)
David L.

This is the first restaurant we have tried in the north end since moving here. For starters parking is not the easiest thing so if you plan on driving call the day before and ask where to park. After stressing out about parking we finally made it to the restaurant and it was a little overwhelming. They try to shove as many people in the restaurant as possible. If you are looking for a romantic night this would not be the best choice. However, if you are looking for wonderfully made Italian food this is the place to be! Out family of 5 left with smiles on our face and memories for a life time. I cannot wait to go back and work my way through the whole menu.
(4)
Sierra S.

Friendly service, bustling atmosphere. Mediocre wine & food, on first visit. The linguini with meat sauce was watery. Either the pasta was not adequately drained or the sauce was just too runny. Might have been more flavorful if not so soupy. Not being from the area, it was impossible to find the validated parking lot. All other parking in area is $25-30.
(3)
Yvonne S.

Had dinner here last night, soooooo good ! The people there are beyond nice, make you feel like family and Angela our server really funny and helpful!
(5)
Cameron B.

Unbelievably negative experience. We made a reservation well in advance. We confirmed by phone, and we arrived on-time. The host informed us that they were "running at least 45 minutes behind". When we asked we they didn't call, he cursed at us...amazing. There are so many good options in the area. I'll withhold further comment.
(3)
Kevin T.

What good food and service. Portions were ginormous and tasty. Their sauce was perfectly made to taste. If you go as a couple just order salad for two and one entree. It will Be plenty for both persons. One thing I'd like to see is fresh(er) bread.
(4)
Kylie H.

Vodka sauce is delicious and had a great experience and atmosphere! Angela was one of the best servers I have ever had! Ask for her!
(5)
Annalisa D.

I think the good reviews are all coming from people who don't really know Italian food. As an Italian I can tell you that none of the dishes we had (party of 6) had anything to do with what one would eat at a real Italian restaurant. The waitress was nice and the restaurant is cute, but the food is pretty bad.
(1)
Katie S.

Feel bad leaving this review as the waitresses were friendly and the food was decent but I just didn't think the dinner was any different from what I could get at my local pizza place. I was expecting more from a restaurant in the North End. There was also a lack of atmosphere, with there being too many tables and a rush to turn tables.
(2)
Laura W.

Al Dente is a good, not great place to eat dinner if you are careful in what you choose. Despite the screaming title that this is an Italian restaurant, the pasta itself was thick, not delicate for the lobster ravioli. Drowned in a dark red tomato sauce, the taste of the lobster in the ravioli just got lost. Sad, however it did not taste bad. It wasn't necessary to have such a huge plate full of this since every ravioli just sank to the bottom of my stomach. Fortunately my grilled fig salad was a light dish which counter acted the effects of this heavy ravioli. I want to acknowledge the sweet waitress. She was a standout in my dinner here! I love it when the staff is funny and attentive, but not over bearing, intimidating, or rude. She made us feel welcomed and comfortable. Despite our original booking, we had to wait 15 minutes. Being such a small petite place, you need to give this place some slack in the reservation time. The restaurant business is rough trying to move customers who want to linger. That is out of the control of the restaurant and besides how would you like if someone told you it is time to leave while you are eating too slow.
(3)
Charlie B.

My pasta was perfection, i had chicken broccoli ziti. Which I've had in many places but this definitely took the crown. Service was great. No wait. We got lucky though, as soon as we were getting ready to leave they got mobbed. Would definitely come here again.
(4)
Jordan S.

Good value for the money, fusilli pasta was fresh, meat needed some spice, would recommend it overall for good-valued American Italian
(4)
Rishab G.

First off, we were seated quite promptly ... 5 minutes before our reservation began ... on a friday night...in the North End! 1.5 stars! Our waitress was very nice, navigating through the tight spaces between tables with ease and managing to smile while clarifying my wife's queries about the vegetarian-ness of various items in the menu. +1 star. That is where the good news ends. We got the eggplant rollatini which despite waitress' repeated clarifications as being vegetarian smelled quite strongly of seafood! I guess it was cooked in a pan that was used for seafood and improperly cleaned. The entree portions were huge but my wife's pasta was bland and the gorgonzola cream sauce in the chicken venenzia - a house special mind you - tasted of raw milk. The chicken was overcooked and hard. Negative 0.5 Stars for the food. Sorry but it was that bad :( And considering the high standards of restaurants in the north end, it made for a disappointing evening. It is possible that we caught them on a bad night but in any case, I'd definitely not recommend it if you have vegetarian/vegan company.
(2)
Traveling S.

April 25, 2014: Quaint little place but the food was outstanding. I had veal piccata and the crispy texture on top of linguine was fantastic. Our little waitress, a distinguished lady about 70 was not only good with the service, but she was quick with the wit as well.
(4)
Marie P.

I was very pleased with my overall experience at Al Dente. The marinara sauce was AMAZING and I am extremely picky with my sauce. We started with the pumpkin ravioli which was mouthwatering. I got the eggplant parm which was average but the sauce took it up about 5 notches in my book. My boyfriend got the shrimp scampi which he absolutely loved. Our waitress was very nice and attentive. The only complaint per say that I had was the host literally got right in my face when asking if I had a reservation. I found it odd but humorous. This was the best dining experience I have had in the North End in quite a while.
(4)
Seth H.

Andrea deserves a raise. She made me a special concoction to dip my bread in and it was delicious. I got the lasagna and meat ball special and it was perfect. The north end is so much prettier than when I used to go there with my lady back in the mid-90s and you had to walk under the scary overpass in the dark. With no fear of being murdered on your way there, you should go to Al Dente at least once a week, it rules.
(5)
Chris C.

A weekend trip resulted in a stop at Al Dente. Great food, nice ambience. Staff was friendly and helpful. Food was plentiful. My girlfriend and I would gladly come back next time we are in Boston!
(5)
Jocelyn K.

Visited Al Dente for the first time just before the Red Sox/Yankees game. Let me just start by saying, the waitstaff here is SECOND TO NONE!!!! Absolutely LOVELY people that want to ensure that you have a good time. DEFINITELY call ahead for reservations as the place is tiny, but once you walk in the door, you are greeted and treated like family. My partner and I started with Martinis. Our waitress also played the roll of bartender, and she wanted to be sure they were perfect, and they were! Our appetizer selection was the Eggplant Rollatini. ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!! I could have licked the plate! :-) For an entrÃ©e, I ordered the Shrimp and Scallop a la Vodka. I chose to change the sauce to Quattro Fromagio, and they did so without hesitation. The seafood was cooked perfectly, as well as the pasta and sauce. MMMMM. My partner ordered the Homemade Gnocci with Quattro Fromagio and a homemade meatball. ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS as well!! Please visit this place, as this is one of the nicest and tastiest restaurants I have visited in a LONG TIME!!
(5)
John M.

Order a simple cheese pizza and it tasted great! However, it was hard to eat it after seeing the cleanliness of the staff. The waitresses would pinch some spices and then sprinkle on the pasta dishes ... after cleaning tables and handling money. Also observe one the cooks using his phone and snacking off the topping trays in between tossing pizzas.
(3)
Corey S.

I'll give it 4 stars because I come here often and the food is great. However, there is always a long wait even with a reservation. Last time had a reservation for 4 people, 3 of us were there on time and they told us we could not be seated before our 4th person got there, and were given a bit of an attitude. Now I know this is common at busy restaurants, so no problem, right? Well, I wouldn't have had a problem, except another group came after me with a later reservation time and they were also waiting for their 4th person, but the waitress seated them instead even though our entire group was there at that point. I don't know if it was because I was with a group of Japanese friends and they seat their fellow Italians first or what, but doing that for them right after refusing to do it for us, and right in front of us, was rude. Waited one hour after my reservation time which is absolutely insane. Other than the wait times, the food is good quality and the atmosphere is nice.
(4)
Dulce G.

I was pleasantly surprised to know that I had made a reservation in a place I had previously dined in 4 years ago. Al Dente has such an awesome atmosphere. People are happy and chatting and laughing. The service my friends and I received was amazing, friendly and welcoming. THE FOOD WAS AMAZING! I had the shrimp and calamari pasta and it was divine! I was celebrating my birthday and they brought me dessert and sang happy birthday for me. I want to come back and take everyone to this wonderful place!
(5)
Benjamin L.

I need to start by saying that if this review was based solely on the quality of the food, I'd give it 5 stars--easily! However the service from the host (older guy with a slight paunch) was terrible. The three of us made a reservation for 6 and arrived at 6 and (foolishly) tried to stroll in, only to be scolded and told to wait by the guy talking on a phone outside (there was no indication that he worked there, aside from standing outside the entrance). Then after waiting for a few minutes, the paunchy guy ended his call, pointed at a table for two and said "grab it while you can". So he seated the three of us (my parents & myself) at a table for two. A tiny table for two. My father and I are both large guys and we were uncomfortably jammed together at this tiny little table. We tried to laugh it off but it detracted from the experience, especially after another group of three came in and were seated at a proper sized table (two of the little ones pushed together). This wouldn't have been nearly as frustrating if they'd acknowledged it in some way...maybe by saying, hey, we're sorry but we're crazy busy tonight, etc. Customer service is an important part of any business, especially a restaurant. Al Dente should get a hint, because the food itself was excellent. I wish the quality of the meal stood out, rather than the abysmal quality of the host.
(2)
Vicente F.

After reading so many good reviews about the food, I decided to take my girlfriend there for valentines day. We had the srimp scampi for appetizer. The srimp was a good size, and the garlic with lemon sauce was just on point. Great for dipping your bread into. I had the lobster ravioli. I was impressed with how good the sauce was, great balance of sweet tomato sauce and wine. Wait staff was super friendly. I just wished they had dessert and coffee, but there are pastries near by.
(4)
Robin Y.

My favorite Italian restaurant of all time. I came here twice with my fiance and loved it enough to bring my family and friends here for a celebration dinner when I graduated from college. Everyone loved their food and just had a great time. It can be a little cramped and noisy during peak hours, but the service is always fantastic- we've had the same waitress every time, and she's incredibly sweet. This place is just very genuine and the food is high quality. Definitely worth the price (which isn't ridiculously high), and I will continue to come here every time I'm in the North End.
(5)
Jenny S.

3.5 stars! my boyfriend is convinced this is one of the best restaurants on the north end WITHOUT THE HUUUGE wait! (its hidden towards the back away from the touristy main street) food was good but not amazing: ---tortellini w/ carbonara sauce: INDULGENCE CENTRAL, its very rich w/ nice cubes of panchetta ---eggplant lasagna (one of the specials that night): the lasagna pasta was a bit soggy, not "al dente," but the MARINARA was really yummy & the one meatball was good too ---complimentary bread to start! ask them to make you the mix of parmesan, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic, & fresh basil for dipping! mmm grated pecorino parm NOTE: specials of the day are given VERBALLY W/ PRICES too (no surprises here!)
(3)
Brian L.

I'm a woefully inexperienced Italian eater, so we hit up this place after a Celtics game after finding Giacomo's too crowded... Brags (+): The first time I've ever had veal with my order of veal parmigiana. Pretty good I'd say, although eating just the penne with the sauce wasn't quite as satisfying as chowing down on cow; they give you a huge portion, too. Also, I loved the bread... it was soft, and they were eager to refill it. Speaking of which, very friendly wait staff that checked in on us a good number of times and served us nicely. Beats (-): Pretty tight quarters, seating was a bit uncomfortable. Also perhaps not the classiest ambiance (see variance). Also the water cups are really tiny and mostly filled with ice, meaning I would finish a cup in about 5 seconds. Variance (~): Lakers-Heat game on in the background.
(4)
Liz O.

Susan and Brian were amazing. My best friend and I are from milwaukee, WI and found the restaurant on yelp. Good prices, great staff, awesome food! They were very helpful with not only lunch choices but what we should do while in Boston. Would definitely recommend!
(5)
Boris L.

The food here is really phenomenal and the waitstaff is very friendly. I've gotten the ravioli and the gnocchi here before and both were great. The waiters/waitresses I have had always have taken a moment to talk with you and make you feel welcome. They also bring a complimentary limoncello shot at the end of the meal which is a nice gesture. It's a very small restaurant and the seating is close together so it does get loud at times. Also the portion sizes are just too big. I'm normally a fan of bringing home leftovers, but if I'm in the North End I'm probably going out somewhere around the downtown area after dinner and I don't want to have to carry a bag of food around with me. I would definitely recommend giving this place a try.
(4)
Thuy L.

Next to Giacomo's...this might be my 2nd favorite Italian spot in Boston. It's intimate and cozy (and they do what they can to get you in there). Our waitress was no-nonsense, hilarious, and super helpful. You in the mood for some Lasagna? You might want to think about bringing 3 of your friends to work at the portion and the GARGANTUAL meatball is definitely a plus. And you'll still take a doggy bag home. I had the pumpkin ravioli with brown butter sage sauce. I think I might have licked my plate clean. That sauce was amazing. If you want pizza, you order it with them and they just go next door and bring it over to you since the owner owns both the pizza shop and al dente. My only suggestion is to make sure you make reservations. They only hold the reservations for 15 minutes and then they give it to the next person. I cannot wait to go back. YUM!
(5)
Jim P.

Shoes up for our 7 PM reservation and got right in without a wait. The restaurant was very busy and noisy with most tables occupied. We had the pumpkin ravioli appetizer. It was good but a little sweet for us. My wife had chicken Marsala. Good and a very large portion. I had cannelloni with red sauce. Also good and I could only eat one of the two on my plate. All considered good and very good for the price. It would not be good for a quiet dinner or date.
(3)
Joanna F.

My boyfriend and I went to Al Dente for Valentine's Day. The atmosphere was very quaint and they had decorated a bit for Valentine's Day. The service was amazing. As soon as we sat down we were given some bread and water. The waitress came over moments later to ask for our drink order and a few minutes after that got our food order. I enjoyed the feigned enthusiasm when we put our order in. "Oh, nice!" the waitress exclaimed after each item ordered. It was obviously an act, but appreciated. We started with the bruschetta. Although this didn't involve any cheese, it was delicious. Tomato and lots of garlic on garlic bread with some olive oil. It was a large portion for an app also. Then our meals came out. I got shrimp and calamari fra diavlo and my boyfriend got a stuffed veal dish with risotto. Mine was absolutely delicious... The seafood was cooked perfectly. I tried a bite of my boyfriend's veal. I have never been a fan of veal, but this was succulent (especially since it was stuffed with cheese and covered in a delicious tomato sauce). I really liked the portions... they weren't ridiculously big, but they were enough to satisfy me. I didn't feel like a glutton for eating the entire thing. Although our waitress was great with us, she was very rude to the rest of the waitstaff, which kind of scared me a little. But she was great with the customers, so I guess that's all that mattered. And the space was very cramped, but I think that's what most spaces are like in the North End. Overall, I highly recommend it.
(4)
M -dot W.

Skip this place on your Boston things to do. The North End now has only a handful of decent places with consistent good food. This is isn't one them. Wan't real italian ? Then go somewhere else or head to East Boston for an AUTHENTIC Italian atmosphere. It's nice scenery but for food this place isn't it.
(4)
Changun S.

Why: we were told it was a good place to eat What we ordered: (1) Vegetable Medley Fresh sauteed broccoli, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, red and yellow peppers, spinach in garlic infused olive oil. (2) Chicken and Eggplant Parmigiana (3) Swordfish Pan seared with egg batter and topped with a lemon caper butter sauce, served with risotto and fresh vegetables. (4) sangria Positives: ~free bread ~sangria: small amt of alcohol content Negatives: ~extremely loud (can't hear what people at our own table were saying) ~cramped (they sat the 3 of us at a 2 person table) ~pasta tasted like it was from the box (mushy, not el dente) ~portions were large but the food tasted so bad we didnt even care about the leftovers ~sangria: watered down ~made reservations but still had to wait 40 minutes Conclusion: eat at other italian restaurants in the north end...olive garden tastes better than this...al dente should change their name to chef boyardee :0 :o
(1)
Nancy Z.

I wish I had an Italian grandmother (in ADDITION to my already awesome grandma because I'm not an ass like that) My Italian grandmother would teach me the secret recipe to divine tasting tomato sauce, just like Al Dente's. She would also train me to master fried calamari, identical to Al Dente's. My Italian grandmother would kick so much ass if she made gnocchi with vodka cream sauce and carbonara pasta like Al Dente's. Do you see a trend happening here? This place is a little gem where my friend and I randomly stumbled upon. There was a young lady bundled up in a puffy jacket standing outside of the restaurant practically luring us in with a squeaky but oh-so-cute voice. After much hesitation and curiosity, we gave in. Well dahm-it woman! After all of your luring, we will try it! As we boldly walked into the unknown, we were the only customers there at the time. Probably because it was an awkward lunch time, but walking into an empty restaurant can be scary! There might be a reason why it's empty. (SKIP BORING NARRATIVE SEGMENT) We ordered the fried calamari as an appetizer, gnocchi with vodka sauce for my friend, and carbonara pasta for me. The calamari pieces were meaty, just the way I like them. There's nothing I hate more than stringy, dried calamari. I'm not paying for rubber bands people! The tomato sauce that was served with the dish was so flavorful. Even though I couldn't taste any additional spices, onions, garlic, or anything like that, it was the simplicity and the natural sweetness that has now made me a 'locked-in customer.' The gnocchi my friend had ordered also had a wonderful flavor that had a perfect balance of cream and tomato sauce. The gnocchi itself was large and delightfully starchy, as well as extremely comforting during the cold weather that Boston is experiencing now (boo). The carbonara dish that I had ordered was delicious in addition to the others. Although it was really light in flavor, I'm not sure if I enjoyed the lightness or wanted to be ignorant and cover it with cheese. I will have to admit though, it probably needed more flavor. There were also little chunks of pancetta incorporated, which I hoped would give the pasta some more flavor, but unfortunately, it didn't. Either way, I was content with the dish, but not ecstatic. So in the end... I'm giving this place 4 stars because I really enjoyed my meal there, BUT I did not fall in love with it. Love is always worthy of five stars. Even though Al Dente falls one star short in my review, I still highly recommend it to anyone that is venturing in the North End, craving Italian food, or lacking an Italian grandmother that can cook like them. Al Dente, you rock.
(4)
Heather G.

FOR THE PRICE POINT, Al Dente is a decent restaurant. you can basically get any kind of pasta with any kind of sauce your heart desires, as well as a decent selection of seafood options. The pasta is just mediocre, but the price is low enough and the portions large enough that it doesn't much matter. Off the beaten path of hanover, it also gives a more intimate sort of bustle inside the tiny dining area, and the waitstaff is nearly always sweet and accommodating (the servers like to call you "hon" a-la-diner-staff). Take out of town guests here if they want a big, filing italian meal on a budget with an intimate italian-kitchen-like atmosphere. If you want to blow them away on food taste and quality, try Marco or Carmen for a full-range kick in the mouth (and wallet, unfortunately).
(2)
Byron H.

The tomato based pasta sauces were awesome. Pesto wasn't basilly enough. Service great, atmosphere superb. Mussels were, in a phrase, something I want to bathe in. Bread was great nice and fresh with an awesome crust. Gnocchi was a solid B+.
(4)
Asha P.

Our most recent visit here was subpar. We felt extremely hurried to eat and leave. When I am paying 25 bucks per plate I would like to eat at my own pace. I also had a risotto dish this time, I find their risotto to be terrible. It was the first time going there that there bread has been completely cold, as well. Maybe I wouldn't nitpick on things like that at some restaurants, but for the price you pay here you would expect at least some quality. I regret having my last Italian meal in Boston at Al Dente, I really had higher expectations.
(2)
Ryan R.

had a reservation at 8:30, showed up at 8:15 and we were sat at our table immediately. staff was great, food was outstanding and prices were well worth with the amount of food you receive. noise level would probably not be beneficial for a quiet first date dinner, but it wasn't a nuisance by any means. Kid friendly establishment
(4)
Mike B.

Very small, but charming restaurant. Very crowded, so you'll want reservations on a weekend. But boy is it worth it. Had the rigatoni with vodka sauce. Absolutely awesome. I've heard you can't go wrong with the italian restaurants in the north end. Don't know if that's true or not, but I know of one good one......Al Dente.
(5)
Bobby S.

We had an enjoyable evening. The place is small, noisy but our server Andrea made us feel welcome and special. She provided good service.. The dipping oil she brought for the bread was delicious, the Caesar salad was fresh and plentiful (enough for 4 to share) and portions in general were large.. Pasta is cooked Al dente, and my companion loved her pesto sauce. Seafood far diavolo had alot of seafood but was very tame on the heat scale. All dished lacked seasoning.. A bit in the bland side. No desserts offered. go across the street to a coffee/dessert place. Overall a good North End experience.
(3)
JEANNE Z.

I'm a big girl (at least for Asian standards) and I have never been MORE glad to not be a fat ass than after having eaten here. Hear me out. It's an Italian restaurant with Carbolicious Heavenly foods. Pastas, breads, Cream Sauces.... but it's quite cramped inside and you'll be sandwiched like sardines. Hence, I'm glad I don't carry around with me an ass resembling an equator. I'd hate to draw more attention to myself knocking over my dining neighbor's wine glasses who's sitting 2 inches away from my party. It's bad enough that you're bundled up like the Michelin man with all your winter snow gear, ya know?! But whatever... everything's Italian here. Home made-like foods, loud talking, good wine, and everyone's in a good mood. There's even your token mobster like Italian dude standing outside in a trench coat ready to talk you into entering the restaurant. What's up with that?! Seriously. Fuhgettabout it!!! Try the Shrimp and Scallops a la Vodka. OMG, the sauce was amazing. As if the calories in the pasta weren't enough, I just HAD to keep ordering side bread to use the sauce as a dip. I'm telling you people it was really REALLY good. (*I only had one glass of wine while judging this review, I promise!) The waitress made a few mistakes with our order but was very cordial and nice. My husband and I were in a great mood so we didn't mind. This place was a really cute hole in the wall find. Quite pricey though... but it's Boston. We expected that. But overall, a great dining experience.
(4)
Miguel C.

This was my first experience at a North End Italian restaurant, and it did not disappoint. It's definitely a place I would go back to. Early in the week, I made reservations here on a Friday around 8pm. They do not seat parties until they're all present, so we were waiting outside until 8:30pm. We ordered wine, a few appetizers, and a variety of pasta dishes. Everything including the the bread to the wine to the bruschetta was great (though I can't say I'm a gourmand). I had a penne with an arrabbiata sauce. The portions were big - a good number took leftovers out to go. Service was decent. Dishes came out reasonably soon, water was refilled, and our waitperson checked in with us. But then again, we were drinking wine and having good conversation, so I could have a completely different verdict if I had went there sober.
(4)
Nic L.

As a born and raised italian, I know what this food should taste like. The homemade pasta was amazing. Try the spinach crepes w/ Alfredo sauce; a bit pricey, but tasty! NOTE: Arrabiata sauce is ARRABIATA. They don't just use red pepper, they use those HUGE green suckers of peppers! My mouth was on fire! Couldn't eat my dish in its entirety, so I stole some penne alla vodka from a friend. PHENOMENAL.
(4)
Sarah P.

I went here for dinner on a Saturday night with a couple friends. The food was quite good, the portions were huge, the service was good and the prices are really affordable for the North End. The restaurant is small and a bit noisy but such is the nature of many North End restaurants; I will definitely be returning!
(4)
E H.

I can't say I'm an expert in Italian food, but that was definitely the best pasta I've ever had in my entire life. I ordered the shrimp and scallop pasta in vodka sauce and every bite was basically heaven on earth. The portions were beyond generous and I sort of hated myself a little for not finishing every last bite. My friend ordered the pumpkin ravioli which according to her was also the best she's ever had. Wine was reasonably priced and there was a moderate selection available. Service was super friendly and considering how busy they were, very attentive. They do limoncello shots on the house which added to the fun. Only knock was that we were seated half an hour after our reservation, and since the restaurant is tiny and we had to wait outside in the cold MAKE A RESERVATION IF YOU WANT TO EAT HERE!! Otherwise expect a 3+ hour wait on a weekend.
(5)
Allison S.

My husband was running the Boston Marathon and we decided to go for Italian so he could carbo-load. The food we had was amazing--lobster ravioli and pesto pasta. The service was also great. The people were very friendly. If we're able to make it out here next year, we would eat here again.
(5)
Kim Z.

You could potentially be dining with the table next to you but I'd say cozy rather than small. The service all around was fantastic. Our waitress was extremely friendly and more like an Italian mother than an employee and our water glasses were never empty. Overpriced? Not for the portion size. I had the delicious veal saltimbocca and took at least 1/2 of it home. The broccoli fritti appetizer was a bit on the bland side, but with just a dip in the provided marinara sauce, it greatly improved. Despite being completely packed with people waiting outside, we were never rushed and fully enjoyed the experience.
(4)
Leah P.

This is my favorite North End restaurant! The food is outstanding, they usually don't have a crazy long wait, and the servers are very friendly. There are usually a few regulars having dinner, which is always a good sign. The dining room is small and cozy. I enjoy the pumpkin ravioli as an appetizer. It's a very sweet dish, so a little overwhelming as an entree, but I have to have a taste every time I go.
(5)
Scott C.

My favorite place in the North End. Great bruschetta and caesar salad. Really friendly. Been there about 8 times and never had a bad meal.
(4)
Peter D.

I suppose that I should have done more research before making the reservation at Al Dente. This is the archetypal North End Italian Red Sauce Restaurant. Service is fast but they are just churning through customers. Food was average, at best. Shrimp and scallops in Vodka Sauce was their standard red sauce with a dash of cream, maybe. 4 shrimp and 2 scallops in a sea of pasta. Other meals were similar. When ordering a beer I was told by the waiter that he would have to go next door to get it. Why do I need to know where he gets it? Is this to evoke sympathy? Anyway, the waiter turned on the charm as the bill was presented, including a hand on the shoulder to suggest the deep bond which had been forged during the 20 seconds of contact during the meal. Unfortunately for him "The Touch" did not generate a better tip. In fact, it had the opposite effect. But there are probably plenty of visitors who would be delighted by this "typical" restaurant, just doesn't work for me.
(2)
Emily S.

Having been to many of the major north end spots this was one of my favorites. The service was great, we were welcomed with a warm greeting and seated at a table in the middle of the room, but were assured that once the couple finishing up against the wall was done, we could move. We ordered and within 15 minutes our food came out. The bread basket was kept filled as well as our water and wine. It was a bit noisy but it is more of a family restaurant than a date spot. Also, the prices were reasonable and I felt like I was getting my money worth.
(4)
Carlene S.

Our meal was fantastic, very reasonably priced and the staff was wonderful. We had made a reservation for 8:00pm on a Saturday evening and waited outside for 25 minutes before being seated...but, we shared a nice conversation with the gentleman host. Once we were taken inside, I was amazed by how tiny and LOUD this restaurant is. We were seated next to the stairs leading into the kitchen and restrooms...UGH! Probably the worst seat in the place, waiters continually bumped the back of my chair while zooming past (I couldn't sit any closer to the table to avoid this). To our surprise, the bread they served in a basket was ridiculously horrible...seriously...did they buy it as the local grocery store?! On a positive note, our waitress was wonderful and attentive and the food was great! I had Shrimp Scampi with fresh fusilli pasta (mmmm...garlic) and my husband had Chicken Marsala over angel hair pasta. Overall, if you don't mind hanging out for a table and sitting in a loud/lively atmosphere...you'll have a great quality dining experience, just skip the bread...MADONE!
(3)
Stacey G.

Al Dente is a very small, rustic italian restaurant in the North End. I went for lunch on a Friday with 8 other people. I ordered the grilled fig salad to start. I thought the figs would be hot and cut up but instead it was cold, which was fine, but I would have preferred if the figs were cut more than just in half. I ordered the gnochhi for my entree; it was one of the best I have ever had - no complaints. One person in my party ordered veal parm and another chicken parm and the server mixed up the dishes which is a huge no no. Someone else order penne al vodka but the pepper seasoning was too overpowering. Another, ordered pesto with pasta but it was very oily- it was more like pasta with oil and a little pesto mixed in which was quite disappointing. Although, I had a fantastic pasta dish the rest of my guests were not thrilled which is disappointing. I felt very bad for my guests since the North End usually never fails.
(3)
Katharine T.

Great, friendly place, if a little cramped. The wait-staff was very friendly and the food was deeeeeeeeeeeeeelicious!
(4)
Loan C.

I went here for a date. It was just a random pop in but I was pretty satisfied. the environment was very energetic & for the cold weather in February, very packed. Although it was crowded and slightly busy, the dim lighting made it a very good setting for a first date. The food was delicious, especially the Lobster Ravioli. Would deifinitely come back again!
(4)
Nick Z.

Al Dente is a good restaurant, but nothing to write home about. The food is hit or miss - some dishes, especially the specials, are good. Meat/fish dishes are mediocre, so stick with pasta. The service is very friendly and the portions are enormous, so go and split with someone for a North End steal. On the weekends, it can definitely be cramped and, like others have said here, VERY loud, so I'm partial to Al Dente during the week when the friendly service is UBER friendly and the slower atmosphere is a nice change of pace. Again, put it on your list, but don't give it prio.
(3)
Billy L.

Ended up here by chance after walking around the North End and must say we were blown away. The only thing better than the food was the service (Margie). I had the chick and eggplant parm and it was the best I've had in a long time. Def a fan and will be back in the near future.
(4)
Todd A.

I'd go here again for sure. Awesome food, portions, service. Great flavors, I will definitely go back. Try their fresh as it gets Peroni beer on tap.
(5)
Craig M.

This family style Italian in Boston's north end was straight our of Italy - straight up scrumptious!! My wife had been looking for true Carbonara which uses an egg based cream sauce, and not the type which uses an Alfredo. Believe it or not this egg based version is hard to come by in the states.... It tends to get scrambled eggs instead of a sauce so a lot of places don't even try. Al dente not only pulled of her carbonara in an amazing fashion but my Gnocchi with sausage was terrific too. Full of flavor! The only reason we didn't give this place 5 stars was the parking in the North end making it difficult to actually get to the restaurant. Granted part of the quaint part of the North end is the narrow streets and selection of Italian restaurants, it's still not fun driving around for 30 mins trying to park. the size of the place (small) lends itself to a pound dining experience but somehow with the mix of ethnicities enjoying good Italian food really worked for this place and wasn't a drawback. Plus we didn't need to worry if our baby boy (3 mo)would bother folks if he did get fussy. Ironically he was more quiet than the adjacent tables. We will be returning to Al Dente!
(4)
Andrew R.

My girlfriend and I went here for her birthday dinner the other night. If you come here on a weekend, reservations are a must. After a short wait, we were seated in the dinning room, which although is small, makes the most of the available space. The waitress came to our table very promptly, and was very helpful with the menu. We ordered drinks and an appetizer to start. The appetizer came quick and was delicious. They timed the entrees prefectly so they came just as we had finished it. I had lobster ravioli which was excellent, and I'm very picky about that dish. I could see other entrees that looked really good as well, and made we want to come back. We had a great meal, and will be returning soon.
(5)
Lynn D.

My experience here was average. I had the cavatappi with marinara and my wife had the chicken parmesan with cavatappi. Neither dish was anything to write home about, and both were in desperate need of some seasoning. Since others have highly rated this place, however, I'd be willing to come back to try something different.
(3)
Shannon C.

Awesome! Wanted to get some Italian with my boyfriend a few days ago. Honestly, this was the best service I have received in Boston. Always had a full glass of water, food delivered promptly and were checked in on frequently. Food was awesome! We had bruschetta, cheese ravioli and chicken Milanese... All were really good!! I would definitely recommend and will certainly be returning myself : )
(5)
Jackie G.

If you want a good experience and great italian food, Al dente is another great place to go! Michael wil probably be the one to greet you outside and is fun to chat with. Inside is small, usual for a NE restaurant. The food is great and is not anymore expensive then any other NE restaurant. If you want my opinion, my two fav restaurants down the NE are Al Dente and Giacamos!
(4)
Rick O.

lunch on saturday afternoon - everything was great
(5)
Brian S.

They ran about 40 mins late on the reservation but otherwise simply awesome! Wonderful food, great service. Been here a few times and I will be back!
(4)
Amber H.

Unbelievable! While walking around the North End, looking for a delicious little Italian restaurant on a Tuesday night. I received more then I was bargaining for with Al Dente. It is a small slightly tucked in restaurant, and after peeking into its neighboring restaurants that had maybe one to two tables, Al Dente was packed. So viola off we went and snagged a table. The food was incredible! While the decor was typical, "north end italian" and left a little something to be desired, (What do you want your in north end!?) We tried 4 things on the menu. 1. The spring fig salad with prosciutto. - I love figs & I love Prosciutto so what could go wrong here? Paired with a soft and light goat cheese and spicy arugula all of the flavors, sweet, salty, tart and creamy, tasted delicious together! 2. Sauteed Calamari - The calamari where swimming in a delicious tomato based broth. I was expecting the flavor of the seafood to be overpowered by the tomato - but it was just the opposite. It was a blast to share, dip bread and savor the delicious flavor. It was also a nice change of pace from an ordinary "fried calamari". 3. Shrimp and Scallops in a Vodka Sauce (with Fusilli). Okay If your still reading this, stop - grab wallet, go buy this! AMAZING!!! the seafood was cooked to perfection, the sauce enhanced its flavor, and the Fusilli is homemade. YES homemade Fusilli in Northend. The portion is HUGE so its again another amazing thing to share. 4. Lobster Ravioli. Again, incredible. It had fresh lobster inside the ravioli. We ordered the appetizer version of this and it would work well as a lunch or dinner portion. The ravioli where generous in proportion and it was accented with shrimp and another vodka-tomato sauce. I highly recommend this restaurant, one of the best meals in the north end. I was also incredibly charmed by the staff and the chef who made an appearance at our table and sent over a delicious after dinner Limoncello.
(5)
mike t.

My wife and I ate here on our last night in town. Marge was our waitress and I must say here service and kindness to us was wonder full! We had the minestrone, ceaser salad, chicken parmesan, a glass of red and took our time. There was no room for desert. The food was delicious! We will absolutely go back to Al Dente again. P.S. Call to see if Marge is working, she's worth it!
(5)
Gabrielle T.

Al Dente did it again! Had some friends in town from L.A and they wanted a North End dining experience....what better place than this? Lori (yea she does kinda look like J wow but prettier :), Michael and Marge (Maahhge) treated us so special and made us feel like we were a part of the family. Marge was our waitress but Michael would stop by our table from time to time to check in on us and crack jokes. Marge is probably like 60 but had a mean arm on the fresh parm grater- she was like an older aunt, I felt like I was in her house with her down to earth, real vibe. She was like: "Ordah whatcha want honey- I like the meat sawce and meat baahhllz". Indeed I ordered the Lasagna with meat sauce and meatballs and a glass of Chianti---can't remember what everyone else got but they loved their food too. Super Fresh and Flavorful...Oh and idk who said the red sauce wasn't special but yes it is...very special...but nothing is more special than the service @ this authentic little north end joint. Al Dente will probably be in business until the end of days and even then, God will probably put in one last order before hitting the switch.
(5)
David C.

Looks can sometimes be deceiving but we relied on Yelp us direct us to this little gem. We love Italian and our group of 7 can be quite picky but Al Dente lived up to our expectations and more. Both the food and the people here justified the fight to find parking. Even the parking lot attendant told us how much he liked Al Dente as were leaving. Gnocchi, pumpkin ravioli, chicken parmesan, pesto penne and the fig salad were all excellent. Everyone spent most of the meal eating off each others plate as we argued over whose choice was better. The baby voted the gnocchi with marinara as the winner. No hesitation in recommending the place nor going back.
(5)
April I.

Ultra-cozy restaurant featuring better than average food. Go with the spinach crepes appetizer or the lobster ravioli with shrimp, cream and lots of cheese. The shrimp and scallops a la vodka is also a good dinner choice -- the shrimp and scallops are perfectly cooked and the vodka cream sauce is great--rich and creamy. Oh and they serve it with homemade fusilli pasta which I LOVE!! Other sure bets include the tenderloin and the homemade cannelloni. Every time I've ordered the tenderloin it has been perfectly seared, wrapped in prosciutto and served with risotto and a mushroom sauce. You can't go wrong. A word on the waitstaff -- well they are a bit eccentric. The restaurant is cramped and the staff are moving quickly. Don't take it personal. Take your time, enjoy your meal, relax and have a good time. Isn't that what the north end is about -- enjoying good company and great food?!
(4)
laura M.

Amazing place! Went here on a Friday night w a 6 oclock reservation, we were seated right away! Started with the Mussels in a garlic tomato sauce..best mussels I have ever had! for $9 you get a HUGE bowl. Make sure to ask for extra bread bc the sauce is that great! Definitely homemade Entree - Gnocchi was fresh and vodka sauce was phenomenal! Got a meatball on the side which was great as well. We had tons of leftovers and the prices were right. Staff was friendly and quick! Cant wait to return!
(5)
Christina P.

Saturday night, super early. 1/2 full, tiny little restaurant. After being seated at a tiny, cramped table in the middle of a row of two tops, we request to move to the middle aisle. Door man, hostess & waitresses are friendly & hospitable. Bread and ice water are brought w menus w/o request. I love bread, and part of the reason thus is 4 stars and not five is Becuz the bread was just ok- was just off- stale maybe? Our waitress Andrea was fantastic!! Super friendly, knowledgeable & attentive without being over bearing or rushing us. As a tiny restaurant in the north end, I expected to be a little rushed, especially on a Saturday, but Andrea wAs amazing, letting us take our time & offering her opinion when asked as well as her compliments when we chose. She was there when you needed her, offering fresh cheese, more bread and pouring our wine. We ordered two huge and delicious homemade pasta dishes, tricolored tortellini in vodka sauce and gnocchi quarto formagio/ both amazing, hot and huge! Andrea wrapped our left overs for us with a smile and graciously came back to thank us after we paid. Food & value were 3.5 to 4 stars, but service was a 5! Will be back & will recommend! Ask for Andrea!
(4)
David C.

- Host/Manager was a prick, but to be expected since every restaurant in the North End seems to have the same type of people running them. - Food was... 'eh' at best - sauce was bland - seafood overcooked +the hand-made pasta was good. -Waitress, as nice
(2)
Ray K.

GF ordered the seafood with fresh pasta and vodka cream sauce. I ordered the eggplant parmigiana. Both were fantastic and had good portions. Great food, great service, and expedient seating!
(5)
Alex K.

This was an excellent restaurant! What made the night so spectacular was our lovely waitress Andrea, the food was great but Andrea was amazing. We need more waitresses in this world like her. In all honesty, she makes the food so much better. Please check out this restaurant, you will NOT be disappointed.
(5)
Mon C.

My friends and I had dinner here on Saturday night and was extremely thankful to be seated after a short wait compared to the quotes from the other places in the North End. I had the homemade fussilli pasta w/ broccoli rabe and sausage, which is one of my favorite italian dishes to get. I was definitely satisfied with the food. The garlic butter sauce was delish and the fussilli had a very good texture to it. I would have given this 4 stars had it not been for the fruit flies. There were fruit flies scattered on the walls which was less than appetizing. They detract from the food and the service. If you can pretend that you do not see them or be seated in the middle of the dining room, you'll enjoy your dinner for sure!
(3)
Amy H.

I have eaten here now 4 times, and I have loved it every time I've gone. It's cozy, the staff are friendly, and I always like the food a great deal. My best friend was visiting from Texas last weekend, and we split a few things on the menu. Awesome sauces, bread, caesar salad, etc. Yummy Italian!
(4)
L E.

The food here was pretty good, but I was expecting something a little nicer in the North End. We got an appetizer of sautÃ©ed vegetables, which was delicious but not something you couldn't easily make at home. The gnocchi with pesto was also very good, but the sauce was a little too oily for my taste. The portions were big and we had enough leftover for lunch the next day. The atmosphere is relaxed and a little noisy, and the service was fine.
(3)
Stacey D.

Delicious! Great service and excellent value, glass of wine and outstanding with fresh, homemade pasta puttanesca for less than $20. Would love to come back.
(4)
Wayne D.

Cute place, but so typically Italian. From the cheesy catholic statue against the brick wall to the 80's Italian Grandmother lap shades this place reminds me of my mothers house (a dear lovely Italian woman) when I was 10! The food was good, not great. I'd had better chicken cacciatorrie, but in all fairness, i've had worse. I was turned off by the staff because they kept trying to seat us at a table we did not want even when there were plenty of other seats. Sometimes people who work in restaurants get so caught up in the order (or disorder) or seating people and they forget about what true hospitality is all about. A patron should never feel uncomfortable and I was from minute number one! I work in the industry so I feel like I have the authority to criticize strongly. I get nailed all the time so why not! I would recommend going to this place if you are starving (portions are huge) and poor (not to expensive). It's good, not great.
(3)
Philip S.

Excellent food, had a 630 reservation arrived at 620 and was seated by 630. Without the reservation on a Saturday night an hour wait. Veal Parm and Shrimp Scampi for entrees, fantastic. Being from NY and having an abundant amount of Italian restaurants I would say this is one of the best I've been to.
(4)
Amanda J.

Oh, Al Dente, Al Dente, Al Dente. How do I love thee? We were given a recommendation to come here by an Italian friend of ours. We always consider the source when taking someone's recommendation....and this source, well, he knows his stuff (and cooks too!). So, we wandered over on a Monday night.....and wow, were we impressed. We've been to Italy, so we sometimes get disappointed when the food here isn't quite as good as there. Al Dente hits the nail on the head! They have homemade fussili - which looks nothing like regular fussili - it's thick and straight, almost like extra long cavatelli. Everything on the menu is amazing. We even got delivery from Dining In, as good as if we had it at the restaurant. The service was super friendly, made us feel like we were over someone's house for dinner. We paid it forward and pass the recommendation on to someone who just moved to the North End. We got a thank you email just 2 days later! Helpful tip she gave us: they offer gluten-free pasta.
(5)
Sarah C.

Perhaps we were here on a bad night, but I was not impressed. After searching through reviews of various Italian restaurants in the North End, I settled on this one. We made a reservation but on a Sunday night it wasn't really needed. I ordered the homemade gnocchi with a four cheese sauce. My husband ordered spaghetti with clams. I have eaten gnocchi many times and the gnocchi we had did not look or taste homemade at all. If it was, it was the worst homemade gnocchi I've ever had. It was the opposite of the soft, pillowy and delicious gnocchi I was expecting. I even asked the waitress if she was sure it was homemade (she said it was). The sauce was nothing special either. This dish was around $17 which was ridiculous for the poor quality. My husband was equally disappointed with his spaghetti and clams, a dish he's had many times before. It came with a red sauce which was kind of odd, and also he said he could tell that canned clams were included in the dish. The portion sizes were gigantic, but again, since neither of us really liked our food very much we had no desire to eat it all or keep the leftovers. We will not be back.
(2)
Caitlyn L.

My brother and I stopped in here after a (fantastic) Bruins game around 4pm-ish, so it was an odd time and not crowded at all. The servers were very attentive and friendly (and fast!) BUT ours brought my brother ravioli marinara rather than carbonara and then told him, "no, you said marinara." We both insisted that no, he definitely did NOT say marinara and from then on she was apologetic and quick about bringing him the dish he'd ordered. The food is really delicious. I had the penne all'amatriciana, which really LOOKED homemade (ie like my non-existent Italian grandmother slaved in the kitchen for hours) with big chunks of pancetta and onion in a great tomato sauce. My brother loved his carbonara as well, but said he felt like he was eating two days worth of fat. Alas, the price of eating good Italian!
(4)
Andrew V.

The food here is very good, especially for the price. I think this place is one of the best values in the North End. We had dinner for four people with three glasses of wine for $127 including tax and tip. There are other places in the North End where the food is a little (stress a little) better, but they charge 3-4x the price. I highly recommend the Shrimp and Scallops a la Vodka. The waitresses are incredibly friendly and are just like authentic Italian moms. My rating is based on the food and service, but if I were to rate the overall package, i.e. value, this place would be five stars.
(4)
Mr. C.

You cannot go wrong in the North End and Al Dente is no exception. Very pleasant door man and hostess. I ordered the eggplant parmegan and I was not disappointed. It came on top of the pasta. The portion was enourmous but I was hungry and finished it :-). We got the Caprezio salad which was very good. The waitress needed some reminding to fill my soda, but she was very nice so we'll split the difference. Overall, a very good meal at a normal North End price, I would go again.
(4)
Michael P.

Thought the restaurant was great. It is very authentic with the food clearly made from scratch and very good. I don't live in Boston but will make it a point to go back to Al Dente when I visit again.
(4)
Warren S.

I'm from LA, my wife is from Boston. We live in LA & were in town for a baby shower (our first child is due in March) and decided to meet my wife's high school friends at Al Dente for a reunion/dinner in the North End. We were running a few minutes late due to a late shuttle at our hotel and my wife's sister (who was also going) swung by and picked us up. The first sign of trouble was a phone call from one of my wife's friends telling us that Al Dente wouldn't seat us if the entire party wasn't present. I know this is a standard policy at some restaurants, but it was a bit disconcerting nonetheless. Anyways, we did arrive late with the rest of our party waiting outside in front of Al Dente. The host/doorman seemed to have quite an attitude about our tardiness, however, after a few moments we were ushered inside. The restaurant is nice with a warm, inviting atmosphere. It was crowded and it did take some time for our server to take our drink and dinner order. However, the server was great. A friendly lady who took good care of us. We had several bottles of wine and everyone ordered a main course. I can't speak for the others, but I ordered the Al Dente special, a pasta dish with chicken, veal, shrimp, peppers and broccoli. Excellent. And the wine was very good too. So all was well until the same host/doorman approached our table and told us that since we were late, we needed to go as soon as possible. He had other patrons who were more important than us I suppose. Some of us we're still eating at this point, but I guess since we only spent about $400.00, this was reasonable.... NOT! My wife approached him a few minutes later and told him what our party thought of him. (By the way, as we departed we overheard him talking to another waiting party outside - we got the impression is was perhaps the owner's family...aha!) Al Dente is a nice restaurant in a great part of town with good food. But beware pompous, rude hosts/doorman with big egos. They can ruin a meal no matter how it tastes.
(1)
Mark B.

Get the homemade cannelloni, the sauce is amazing
(4)
Mike W.

My family has raved about this place for years and never took me. I finally got the privilege of being invited, and it lived up to the hype. There were flys the wall, but the food was good. More importantly I would go back again if given the invite.
(5)
Anne M.

After 8 hours of delayed and canceled flights, my husband, two teenage daughters and I finally made it to Boston. None of us were familiar with Boston, but followed a friend's reccomendation to visit the North End. We were charmed by the area and all the restaurants, and were having a hard time deciding where to eat. We looked at Al Dente, and were encouraged to give it a try by the host standing in front of the restaurant. He told us we would thank him for encouraging us to eat at Al Dente and he was right. Every entree was delicious and inviting. Service was also attentive and very wiling to give weary travellers advice. Great experience! The man at the door was right, Thank You!!
(5)
K P.

One of the best! Vodka sauce and Gnocchi are to die for. Excellent staff and service..Don't miss this one!!
(5)
Meg C.

I went here recently with my family for a late lunch. We had a really nice time and everyone's food was wonderful. We stuck with entrees because I had read the portions are huge. We almost all had leftovers. My penne with chicken and broccoli was divine. It came with a cream sauce that was perfectly seasoned and there was just the right amount. The veal parm was tender and succulent. The chicken cacciatore tasted like my grandmother's (despite the fact that she's irish, that is a compliment). The waitress was very nice and attentive. The food came out very quickly. The owner even came out to chat with us. This place is tiny, so try to go during off-peak times and you won't be crushed up against your neighbors.
(4)
Sarah S.

Beware the sangria--I felt the need to write this review to hopefully save someone from the mistake my friends and I made. The service was good, and the food was tasty and reasonably priced, especially considering the gigantic portion sizes of the pasta dishes. However, we made the mistake of ordering two pitchers of sangria and found out when the bill came that they cost 40 DOLLARS APIECE! No exaggeration, no rounding up, honestly, $40. And nothing special about the pitchers--not very large, standard plastic water/beer-type pitchers. It isn't even good sangria, and when you consider that the majority of the pitcher is taken up with ice, the price is beyond ridiculous. They tried to convince us that it was fair considering that individual glasses cost $8, but to me, that just means it is overpriced no matter how it's served.
(3)
John T.

Great dinner, super service, Al Dente is a very good choice when you are visiting the north end.
(4)
Thomas B.

They went out of their way to seat our party of five despite no reservation and a fairly busy night. Atmosphere was crowded and a bit loud (not from music but patrons), but certainly not distracting and not unlike other North End restaurants. Food was excellent...real Italian! I had the Sea Bass. Wine list was very good. Prices were fine. This place is worth a long walk from wherever you may be.
(5)
Jamie G.

Came here in October 2011 with a tourist friend who wanted to eat in the North End. I am very often not impressed with the North End and can usually find delicious italian food elsewhere at a cheaper price that's easier to get to. So to start with my experience here- it's very small inside. Our waitress is slow and does not give us good service. The basket of bread you get is horrible- dry, almost like day-old bread- not warm, soft, fresh baked like I would prefer. I had to ask for oil twice- and I really needed oil to make the bread edible. We ordered mussels marinara for appetizer- it was amazing! I had the Gnocchi al dente- it was decent/good, and tried some of my friend's Quattro formagio, which was okay. So as typical, I am not impressed with most of the food and for the price and difficulty getting to the North End, it's totally not worth it. But at least this place was cheaper than others in North End, so it's definitely an option to bring other tourist friends to!
(3)
Bwd H.

Had the specials today. Cheese ravioli and the chicken/broccoli penne were quite good. Prices were excellent.
(4)
Gary L.

Food was very good. Restaurant was dark and ordinary. THis was recommende dby several friends but proved ordinary setting. Given the fine settings in the North End i'd probably not return.
(3)
Sara S.

I don't recommend Al Dente, worst experience EVER! Went there on a Friday night for my mother's birthday and we were rudely welcomed by the owner. He was standing in the entryway on the phone talking to a 'buddy' for 5 minutes while we were trying to maneuver ourselves inside for our 7:30 reservation. Then we were crammed into an uncomfortably tight table in the back. It was way too loud and the food was OK. Coming from an Italian family, I was dissapointed. My mom got the Frutta Di Mare and had to send her dish back because the clams were sandy. The swordfish was fine and so was the chicken parm. Nothing special. Now here is where it gets a bit strange.... Our waitress automatically added $15 gratuity. There is only 4 of us and on the menu online it says 18% added to a party of 6 or more. When my father asked her about the bill she said the gratuity was automatic. She was a rat. Nobody wanted to argue but I don't think a $15 tip was deserved for a $65 meal. Never going back. Unbelievable.
(1)
Tiffany C.

We love Al Dente. Thats our choice when we're going to the North End. Awesome dishes and reasonable prices. The last time we were in there, there was a great hostess at the front. She was so nice and accomodating. We've been there in the past and the man working the door has been rude and not very attentive. If we didn't know how good the food was, he would've turned us away. so great change getting this girl there! just rounds out the whole experience. oh and the bar next door is an awesome addition. we love stopping there before and after dinner.
(5)
Joshua L.

I had the Homemade Cannolini, a house specialty, which was amazing. Andrea, our waitress, had excellent suggestions for our table and was very friendly.
(4)
A M.

In my opinion, the best restaurant for your money in the North End. I hate paying an arm and a leg for Italian food, when I know I can make it better and for less money at home. Fortunately, I have Al Dente's right down the street, and I never have to feel guilty about spending my money there. Their food holds its own, and in fact outshines, many of the much more expensive restaurants in the North End (such as Fiore and Davides, not impressed). In addition to the fact that entrees are fairly priced, you will also get a decent amount of food, not five raviolis on a plate like many of the premiere North End restaurants like to do. Great entree choices include Shrimp Scampi and Linguine ala Vongole. I love the Eggplant rollatini and Italian Antipasto for appetizers. The only thing I did not like was the Pumpkin ravioli, which does not reflect the quality of the food, but that I was not expecting a sugary buttery sauce, and felt more like it was dessert rather than food. However, I would imagine some people love that. We frequently get Angela as a waitress, and she is always enthusiastic and more than happy to make you happy. Sometimes you will even get complimentary limoncello shots as well. Considering all this, Al Dente's usually has a wait on weekend nights, but you can order drinks at their bar/sister restuarant, Beneventos, next door while you wait.
(5)
Alice M.

We had a reservation for 9pm on 7/13/2013. We got there on time and stood in the doorway waiting to be seated. The host was no where to be seen so we asked a waitress for help. The host finally showed up and said it would be a 10 minute wait. 15 minutes later we checked in again. He was very rude and said we were the next to be seated. He then seated 2 groups ahead of us (one had arrived later than us with no reservation). Not only that, but he spent most of the time chatting on his cellphone leaning against a car out front! We watched as several parties with reservations arrived and bothered the poor waitress working the front tables because they couldn't identify the host. We never made it inside the restaurant. The host was so rude and represented the restaurant so poorly that after waiting for 45 minutes passed our reservation we just walked across the street where we were seated promptly with excellent service and food.
(1)
Mike G.

We heard this place was good and inexpensive - hit the mark on both. Decor and cleanliness can be improved, but service was awesome (Lisa may be the best waitress we've ever had) and food was tasty and fresh. The fusilli with arrabiatta sauce was perfect. Massive portions of everything so you may want to ask for half order if you don't want leftovers. Enjoy!
(4)
Mike M.

Whenever I have visitors that insist on going to the North End, this is where I go. They usually get confused when I don't take them down Hanover St. This place has great service that some may get put off by (they make you feel like family, not a diner). The food is excellent and way cheaper than the big places on Hanover. I usually get the Chicken Venesia, which is amazing. I would recommend getting reservations, otherwise you may be waiting a while.
(5)
Rashmi K.

I went here on a Thursday night, 7:30pm reservation. Restaurant was pretty empty, but filled up quickly. Service was attentive and efficient. Food was alright. I had the grilled fig and prosciutto salad, with was very heavy on the lettuce and more than I would have expected in a salad. My main course was the pumpkin ravioli which walked the line between pumpkin pie and savory pumpkin. Another diner had the pasta Arabiata which was*very* spicy, pretty heavy on the pepperoncini. The bruschetta was very heavy on raw garlic, but the tomatoes were ripe. Overall, not bad, nut not amazing.
(3)
Christian H.

This place had a great atmosphere and it was located right in the heart of the North End. The food and service was great. Their spinich flakey crust...thing...was super delcious. They also have a very good wine selection. Its a nice little cozy place thats not only an excellent place to hang out but also for a first date. I highly recommend it.
(4)
Michael M.

Good food, good service, good prices. This is not your romantic Italian restaurant, but definitely worth going back. They also validate parking, so our $25 parking fee was $3...yes three dollars! If you know Boston parking..this is a winner!
(4)
Tim G.

Stumbled upon Al Dente when we couldn't get a table at a more popular restaurant in the North End. I'm glad we did! It's the perfect "ma & pop" restaurant. Cozy and friendly. Prefect portions and tons of flavor. Must-try's: homemade fusilli and the Veal valentino.
(5)
Matt M.

I've been going to Al Dente for 10 years and there's a reason: the food is just that good. On top of the food, the people that work there have become like family. Joe treats us accordingly. Mudge, Andrea, Lisa, Michael and everyone else are all wonderful. Am I biased? Of course I am!
(5)
J M.

I go here often with family and friends, it's quiet and intimate and I always love whatever I get!
(4)
Jan I.

The food was wonderful and the service from Bonnie could not have been better. She even made us a special dipping sauce for our bread, we will return.
(5)
Lily F.

Went here with a few girlfriends last year and LOVED it! You can definitely tell the pasta is made fresh, and my gnocchi with alfredo sauce was to die for. A little crowded, but it's a cute place that has a family run feel. Can't wait to go back =)
(4)
Jake D.

Loved it. Looked all over for Amatriciana and finally found it. It was delicious. Also had the lobster ravoli good not great.Make Reservations. Great Service.
(5)
Chris B.

I have dined at a number of North End restaurants, and Al Dente is surely the best that I have been to thus far (disclaimer: I haven't been to all of the restaurants in the NE yet!). I have been here a number of times now, and it does not disappoint! Here, the ambiance, service and food are what puts this restaurant ahead of others in the area. The portion sizes are like none other I have experienced; this is certainly around the best deal for the amount and quality of food that you get. Some recommendations would be the mussels marinara (HUGE portion for 10 bucks) with an amazing sauce that one can dip bread in, the grilled fig salad, the veal valentino or chicken vanencia (the roasted red pepper, or four cheese risotto is some of the best I have ever tasted!), lobster ravioli or the al dente special. You will not be disappointed if you come here, I have never seen anyone dissatisfied....just make sure you have a reservation!!!
(5)
Bryan K.

Excellent food with large portions. The homemade fusilli was amazing. It was so thick and cooked perfectly. Compared to Giacomo's, this place felt much more relaxed. We had reservations fro 8 on a Friday night and were seated by 8:10. There are many pasta options, but I highly suggest the homemade fusilli.
(4)
Brent L.

I have found a new favorite restaurant. Make a reservation because it will probably be a long wait. It's just of the beaten path, but I have a feeling all the locals know where it is. I wish I could remember the name of the dish I ate, but it had chicken, spinach, roasted red peppers.... the dish is to die for!!!!!!
(5)
Meera Z.

This has quickly become my go-to spot in the North End. I've been to a bunch of other restaurants in the North End, but if I want a definite delicious meal, I'm going here. I'm going to give it 4 stars, which would be 5 except for one less-than-ideal dinner I had there. Normally the service is outstanding and the servers are super-friendly and attentive. The food is DELICIOUS!! I've had a variety of diffent foods there and I've never been disappointed with the food. My personal fave is the Fruitti de Mare - soooo good!! I'm not a wine connoisseur, but the wine I've ordered has always been good. The only downside is when they are busy. I went with my mom, who also likes this place and was in town, on a Friday night and it was craptastic! Despite our reservation, we had to wait about 15 minutes to get in - yes, even while other non-reservers were going in. Not a HUGE deal, but it wasn't fun. The bad part was when we finally got seated it was right next to the entrance way, which despite the thick curtains on the doorway, was still cold. It was also so cramped and people had to squeeze around us and reach over us to get by and serve. Some girl was leaving and she knocked into our wobbly table and half of my wine spilled! We asked to move, as we were both super irritated by it all and it took over 10 minutes to move. However, when we did move we got the best seat in the house - the back corner, which was a lot quieter and intimate! We enjoyed our food a lot, despite my half-gone glass of wine. The service was still sub-par. We were told by the waitress, who is always there and always nice, that everyone working tonight was sick and a lot of people had called off, so she apologized for the mediocre service (for example, my moms Diet Coke was never refilled - the bus girl just took the glass without asking about a refill - and I had to wait over ten minutes for our real server to come back and get parmesan cheese, which someone else was supposed to offer us). Still, the food was amazing, as usual, and I'll definitely still come back - just most likely not on a Friday or Saturday night.
(4)
Audrey R.

Although it wasn't the most creative Italian food I've ever had, the food here is very tasty. When I went the restaurant was nearly empty, so we had a chance to chat with our server Marge, who told us about the cold water flat in the North End where she grew up. The other servers here also seemed very friendly. If you're looking for a place to grab a casual tasty meal with good people, this is the place to go.
(4)
Aubrey O.

Great little place in the North End. The only drawback was that is was the Boston Marathon weekend, so it was extremely busy and very loud. Overall, a great experience! Good food, excellent and attentive service staff. To finish it off, the re-enactment of Paul Revere riding down Salem street was a treat!!!
(4)
Keri B.

I loved this restaurant. Our waitress Andrea was excellent and even though they were busy she didn't rush us. Lobster ravioli was delicious as was the vodka cream sauce my brother had. Both the quality and quantity of the food make it absolutely worth going.
(5)
Lisa M.

Very solid, consistent place for freshly made pasta. They offer very basic Italian fare, but the sauces are good and makes up for the lack of creativity. It's off of the main drag, but very walkable so that you can still soak up the ambiance of the North End.
(4)
Jared K.

This is my favorite restaurant in the North End. Lobster Ravioli is to die for!
(5)
Dana B.

My husband and I frequent the north end and this was our first time trying Al Dente. We were very pleased with our experience from start to finish! We arrived early for our reservation and they seated us right away. My husband and I wanted to share a bottle of red wine, being an avid white wine drinker I had a few questions for our waitress. Not only did she suggest a few wines I might like, she brought 4 bottles out and did a mini tasting with us so we would be sure to pick one we loved! My husband ordered the shrimp and scallop pasta and the homemade fusilli was out of this world good! I ordered the gnocchi and was also very pleased with my choice. Our forks were going back and forth between plates enjoying tastes of each others entrees. The portions are a great size!! As dinner was wrapping up our waitress brought us over some of her special homemade limoncello shots. They were absolutely amazing and a great way to wrap up a fantastic dinner! If you are looking for an intimate north end gem....Al Dente is it!!!! We will definitely be going back soon.
(5)
Jason A.

Good solid Italian restaurant...service was good and fast despite the place being completely full. Our server was friendly and always around in case we needed anything... pretty surprising considering we were a table of 2 and it was a Saturday night in the summer. I had the bolegnese and my guest the milanese. Both were very good. The only thing negative I can say about this restaurant is that the bread was disappointing. It was cold and ordinary as if they got it from the connah store value rack and plopped it on guests tables. Bread aside, i'd definetly go back to this place and try their other selections.
(4)
Alicia T.

This is my favorite Italian restaurant. The staff is super friendly, it's like going to your family's house for dinner. Their food is great as is their wine selection. By far the most reasonably priced in the north end for the quality and I have never had an issue getting in. Personal faves include the bruchetta, chicken marsala, chicken parm and the chic broc ziti in garlic sauce.
(5)
Lindsey M.

Delicious food! Everything is super fresh and homemade. The atmosphere is great and the food is amazing. The service for the most part is good, although they were a little disorganized at the door taking names. I would recommend making reservations.
(4)
Bob M.

Went here with 8 people (4 adults and 4 teens) for an early dinner on New Years Eve. We were seated right on time. Yes, the dining room is small and therefore a bit crowded, but that is really part of the charm of this place. The service was friendly. The food was very good - everyone enjoyed their meal, and the portions are huge. This is a great, reasonably priced, family-friendly alternative in the North End.
(4)
David R.

I can honestly and easily say that I have never been more offended by a restaurant's utter disregard for its customers than I was by Al Dente! First of all, I understand that Saturday night in the North End is not for the faint of heart or those short on time. I intentionally make reservations half an hour before I actually intend on eating because I expect somewhat of a wait. I can even appreciate that a restaurant may be busier than expected, BUT DO NOT LIE TO MY FACE when I repeatedly ask you how long the wait will be. Furthermore, I do not appreciate being shuffled off to some indefinite pizzaria purgatory to be swindled for tiny $12 glasses of bad chardonnay to be tortured for another 45 minutes of standing around waiting for the call that never comes. (DO NOT fall for their promise of calling you at the neighboring Pushcart Pizza when your table opens up - your table will never "open up"). So after 20 minutes of waiting outside, 30-45 minutes of getting pushed around at Pushcart and being urged to either finish our drinks and leave or order more, I called the hostess and was told: "You are next to be seated" (hahahaha!) 45 minutes later, I am still waiting outside at the door of Al Dente and being told it will be another 15 minutes. For those of you not keeping count, I had a total wait of 1:35 AFTER my reservation time, 45 minutes after being told I was next to be seated, and $36 down the drain ($36 = two beers + two glasses of wine; standing room only in a small pizza joint. Note: If you try to sit down without ordering food, you'll be asked to leave) and I was still being told to wait some more! Well, Al Dente, I'm never wasting another minute of my time at your sad excuse for a restaurant. North End food can be good but it is absolutely not worth the insulting experience I put up with that night.
(1)
Jon B.

Everybody has "their place" in the North End, and Al Dente is my girlfriend and I's. Because it's off Hanover, the crowd usually isn't as bad, but it's still packed on the weekend. If you're up in the middle of the week or in the weekend afternoon, this place is spectacular and quiet. Last night I enjoyed what must have been the biggest piece of chicken I've ever seen in a delicious chicken parm dish. The drinks are a bit small, but they give you tons of water. The bread is delicious as well, and they keep it coming which is a real treat. I'm sure there is somewhere better in the North End, but I don't want to wait an extra 2 hours and pay an extra $10 for it.
(4)
Lauryn C.

Al Dente is our go-to spot for a great North End meal. They have some of the best Frutti di Mare I've ever tasted. It's offered with 2 different sauces, I always opt for the red sauce. It's served over fresh home made fusilli. The fresh pasta is the backdrop for this wonderful dish but it is a knockout, none the less. Be sure to try the Chicken Buona Bocca, my mom's favorite. Think chicken, prosciutto, mozzarella, spinach, mushrooms in a buttery wine sauce. You really can't go wrong with any of their house specialties on the back of the menu. Wash it all down with some of their creamy limoncello. Delish.
(5)
Jennifer S.

Great little place for lunch if you're in the area. Parking sux as usual with the north end. Awesome Bolognese sauce and amazing shrimp fettuccine. I try to make it my every-Thursday lunch spot.
(4)
Joanne E.

One Friday afternoon I decided to make a reservation here at Al Dente. I call around 2:00 and surprisingly got a reservation for 6:30. The service was excellent. The waitress was friendly and very knowledge about the whole menu. We ordered the Caesar salad for 2 which fed 4 of us as a light appetizer. We also ordered the pumpkin ravioli appetizer. It was in a lightly sweet garlicky sauces that was incredible The bread they gave was cold and kind of stale. Good bread is very important to me. This was not good at all. All of the amazing bakeries around. It could have been a lot better. .... Next we ordered shrimp scampi, chicken and eggplant parm, and carbonara. All excellent. The reason for 3 stars?? The bus boy came over with parmesan in his bare hands and tried to grate it over our plates. All the germs on his hand from clearing tables, collecting menus, and probably taking the trash out .... That is unacceptableL Food amazing, service amazing... But I'm a big germ freak and I do not like seeing things like this... That could easily ruin my meal. Probably would have been 5 start if not for that.
(3)
K H.

we made a reservation for 8pm on a saturday night so it was busy... but the hostess was really nice and kept us updated so no complaints with that. we were seated by 830p. this place is tiny and it is VERY loud inside. but the food is delicious! i had the pumpkin ravioli special, and my friends really enjoyed their meals as well. i'm sure the wait isn't as bad on other nights & different times, but 30 minutes isn't even that bad for the north end.
(5)
Formerly Picky Eater J.

Fantastic gnocchi, tasty sauces. The "added" chicken to one of the gnocchi based dishes was even tender, which was a nice surprise. Also the portions are huge so keep that in mind. Only complaint was the bread - it was a boring/not crusty/not fresh white loaf. I was hoping for something more interesting and/or freshly baked. Other than that everything was great!
(4)
Michelle S.

The atmosphere- cozy, but very crowded. It was hard to get in and out of our seats because the backs of our chairs were up against the backs of others' chairs. The food- Most of our group liked their food. I got the lobster raviolis, although the serving size was plenty, I was definitely not impressed with the taste. Price- Overpriced. A bottle of wine that I could get at the store for $8.50 was on the menu for $26. Service- we had to wait a bit for the waitress to take our order. My friend ordered a martini, and they told her they ran out of glasses and they needed her glass back. Our waitress was sweet, but the bus staff was rude. The most disappointing thing was that the host was so rude that I had to personally take him aside and ask for an apology. I've never had to do something like that before! He asked us to leave because he had other parties waiting. Now if we were just sitting around with our bill, or were loud or drunk, I could understand, but 2 of us were still eating and we hadn't gotten the bill yet! I would have given this place 3 stars if it wasn't for the rudeness of the staff.
(1)
James W.

AMAZING food, low prices. Great restaurant give it a try
(5)
A K.

Friends had tried this restaurant before and raved about it, so when they came back in town we made a reservation for 8pm. We showed up on time, then waited almost an hour to be seated, while other people filed in ahead of us. The host apologized but there was no mention of it from the manager or the waitstaff, and all we were offered was a plate of complimentary bruschetta for our time. Pretty miserable service, if you ask me. The food was alright but nothing to write home about. One dinner companion said her ravioli tasted like the frozen kind. Another asked if her eggplant lasagna was vegetarian, was told "yes," and yet it came with a giant meatball. Needless to say, we won't be going back.
(2)
adrienne maree b.

for an outing with my parents and some friends, this was affordable delicious food, huge portions, solid wine list, great service, they were able to seat the party early. real Italian food, real Italian feel inside. this not a fancy high end spot, but the food at these prices, and the service, fantastic.
(5)
Amanda S.

Came here after a friend's suggestion for Valentine's Day, and loved it. It was very cozy restaurant and was crowded on V-day, but the food and service were worth it. I've since eaten at many other Italian restaurants in the area as well as a couple more times at Al Dente, and still think that Al Dente is the best! It's understated and cute--definitely worth giving it a try!
(4)
Jesse N.

I went to Al Dente last night with my friend and her parents for her birthday dinner. We had reservations, and were not let in a moment before because of the crowds. Okay, fine. When we were let in, we were CRAMMED into a corner and it wasn't comfortable at all. Had we been our original party of five instead of the four we wound up as, it would not have happened. I can take "cozy" and a little cramped if the quality is good, but it sadly was not. We got lobster ravioli as an appetizer. There were 4 raviolis. That is $2.75 per ravioli. They were quite tasty, but four?! Seriously, what the hell? I ordered the Chicken Buona Bocca and was very disappointed. They mushrooms were clearly from a can, and the tiny amount of prosciutto that was there was completely flavorless. The spinach was probably from a can too, but it was so overdone and wilted and there was hardly any there, that it was hard to tell. The sauce on the pasta... all I could taste was grease. The chicken would have been good if that grease hadn't soaked in. My friend ordered the pasta pomodoro (I think) with chicken. After the long wait for the food, they brought out the pasta, but no chicken. EVERYONE heard her order the chicken, except, apparently, the waitress. My friend's mother had stepped out for a moment when the orders initially arrived. She had ordered veal parm, and it was shoved in MY face as "chicken parm" even though I said "NO" many times and her husband said "No, my wife ordered veal parm, right here, thanks" and I repeated "No, that is not mine, I ordered the buona bocca" She just kept shoving it in my face. Finally she got the hint and gave the veal to my friend's mother. The bread that was on the table before the meal was not fresh. I've had worse food, but this was not good. If you are going to charge between $18- $30 per entree, you should use FRESH ingredients, get your orders straight, and have things that can at least qualify as "good"
(2)
Molly B.

It was a cold and foggy night, and I twisted my cousin's arm into meeting me at Gov't center for dinner rather than way the heck out on the green line where she lives. We wandered over yonder north ways and saw tourist trap after oyster shack after tourist trap. But then ahead, the green awning of Al Dente caught my eye. "Lets check this out. The sign looks like a box of expensive pasta!" Yeah, as if THAT isn't tourist trap trickery 101. Anywhoo, extensive menu with lots of wines by the glass, its warm they have a table so we spend the next hour + drinking lauging and eating. We were served warmly by a cute older woman with a great sense of humor. The tomatoes in the salad were about a month early from being ripe and should never have made it onto the plate but the vodka sauce and gnocci was heavenly. A very lovely meal with family in a town that 10 years ago I called home. Now? Guess I'm just a tourist.
(4)
William T.

you know it's good when the place is jamming with locals, not touristy at all like some restaurants on the main drag.
(4)
Chelsea P.

Al Dente is my favorite place to go in the North End. Why? It's intimate, reasonably priced, and not gimmicky. I've been to several other places nearby and have been severely disappointed - generic, bland Italian food for way too much money. The service at Al Dente is great, and the food is outstanding. I have never had a bad meal. Al Dente gives you the North End experience without the Boston price.
(4)
Kasey F.

After eating in the North End several times I was pleasantly surprised to find Al Dente. It was just off of Hanover St. so you were missing the mass tourist crowds and nestled into a corner building. Upon arrival my party and I were greeted outside by whom I believe to be the manager. We were asked if I had reservations and stated that I did but for some reason he could not find them. Luckily they had a table for 4 available. I'm worried to think what would have happened if they did not have any tables available as it is incredibly small and I do not recommend large groups. Out of our party we ordered the chicken parm, 4-cheese ziti and the shrimp scampi. After trying all dishes the shrimp scampi was my overall favorite. If you're not a fan of garlic I would stay away! The only drawback was the decor was very mis-matched and didn't fit with the ambiance of the food or service. Also, at the end of my meal we did spot quite a few fruit flies on the walls. Although, I do understand finding some fruit flies (none in our food!) in such a concentrated area.
(4)
Sam S.

We went on a Monday night and there was no line. We started with an Antipasto, which was average. Our main entree's were excellent, the frutti dimarre and the shrimp scampi. Our son had the chicken parmigiana, and thought it was great. The sauces were to die for, and the portions were quite large. Our waitress was very nice and attentive. All in all, give it thumbs up.
(4)
Belinda B.

We went here for dinner last night and it was amazing! The food was delicious, huge portions, great attentive, friendly staff and a fabulous atmosphere. I am definitely coming back to Al Dente!!
(5)
Tarah H.

The Sunday prior to New Year's Eve (Dec 30), this was the site of dinner with an old friend that both delighted our palettes and amused us to no end. The food: Penne with marinara enjoyed by my friend was simple and wonderful. The sauce tasted fresh with flavors well balanced. My eggplant parmesan was thin sliced, lightly battered had just enough cheese and was very, very good. The accompanying red sauce was slightly different from the marinara, but was still wonderful. The wine: We each ordered a glass. The wine was poured at the table for our inspection and to ensure enjoyment. The mild mellow-drama of my dinner: Requested: Eggplant parmesan. Announced: Chicken parmesan. Delivered: Veal parmesan. I didn't mind having ordered eggplant and being "delivered" chicken since I eat both and was debating over which to get that evening before ordering. However, I don't eat veal. I flagged down our waitress. She said she thought it was chicken, but would bring it back to the kitchen for further inspection. The verdict was that it was veal, but she thought that's what I'd ordered. No worries, she'd promptly put the new order in. Our waitress was apologetic for the rest of the meal. We weren't mad or upset in the least. It added to the character of the place. By the end of the meal, I felt like we were old friends with our waitress. The entertainment: In addition to the laughs and jokes over the confusion of my order, the entire rest of our dining experience was pure entertainment. There is no real waiting area, so upon arrival, a bustling hostess dressed in a puffy jacket, scarf and hat asked us to wait a minute, and then found room for two at a table in the back. Long narrow restaurant in the North End is the perfect setting for tight quarters. My chair was skirting the main thoroughfare for employees and patrons alike. We moved the table a few inches so that my dining partner had a little more room between the back of his chair and that of the person at the table next to us. The staff bustled about, taking orders, bringing steaming plates of dishes from the kitchen, ensuring water glasses never emptied and bringing as much bread as your heart desired. Seriously, they would have brought us thirds and fourths if we'd requested. The sound of happy chatter and laughter filled the restaurant. I watched our waitress bring three bottles of wine and three glasses to a table close by so that one woman could pick a wine. I think she ended up choosing hidden door number four, none of the above. A party that was sat behind my friend half way through our meal didn't look half as amused at the organized chaos as we were. Soon after we were sat, my friend said he felt like he was in his aunt's kitchen. The feeling remained, if not grew over the course of our meal. I'm sure if I had an Italian aunt, I would have shared the sentiment.
(4)
Traci M.

I like this place and I'd go back. Good points: -not as cramped as some north end places -lots of choices that are reasonably priced -they have many types of sauces -they have a choice of home made pasta Bad points: -they charge $3 extra for home made pasta. That bugs me. -if you want to change the sauce that come with your pasta it costs $3 extra because they have to "change the pan". I got chicken parm and it comes with a basic red sauce. I asked to get the spicy arabiata sauce instead and I was told it would be $3 more. Normally I'd pass on principal but my friend insisted I get it so I did. The plain red sauce was great and the chicken parm was too. The spicy sauce was good but not incredible. We also got the eggplant appetizer which was very good. I'd definitely give this place a try. It's one of the better places I've been to in the North End.
(4)
Kristen M.

At the recommendation of a friend, we made reservations at Al Dente about a week in advance on OpenTable. Our reservation was for 7:30, we arrived at 7:25 and were told we would be seated shortly. If shortly means 30 minutes in Boston, then that's cool with me, but I was annoyed that no one gave us a head's up it would be a Spongebob episode length wait. If you're going to take reservations, honor them, otherwise don't accept them! Anyway, once we were seated it was a great experience. Inside it is a small dimly lit space, very intimate feeling. We ordered a bottle of white zinfandel and I ate almost the entire breadbasket. I ordered the Penne alla Vodka and dining partner ordered the Shrimp and Scallops all vodka. We like our vodka sauce and they did a great job with it here! Our food came out quickly and we were in the restaurant for less than 50 minutes.
(4)
Pete L.

Wow... Fantastic. This isn't silver service dining, but if you're up for affordable, quality Italian it is a worth a try. We had the bolognaise and amatriciana pastas (shared both) with a side of meatballs. The servings are large and very flavorful. The service was fast... And to the point. If you can manage a later sitting (8pm) you'll probably feel less rushed also. Great place.
(5)
John S.

My friends and I saw good reviews and decided to try this restaurant. We did not have a reservation - the employee at the door asked us for our party size and then dissapeared. He returned and offered us a table in the restaurant next door - he was not interested in seating us and we were not interested in eating next door. I understand the night was busy, but the gentleman only made an effort to pawn us off somewhere else.
(1)
Keith B.

We had reservations for 9 and we were seated within 10 minutes of the 5:30 reservation. Angela our waitress was very accommodating, she even went outside the restaurant to get an iced coffee for one in our party, nice touch. Food and portions were outstanding, bread was fine and replenished without asking. A definite when visiting the North End, quite pleased with the service and food. Price was right too as many in this area overcharge.
(4)
Katrina L.

It's good, but not great. Portions are huge, so get the smaller sizes (appetizer versions) or split one if you know you're not going to finish. The place is very unassuming so this isn't a place to go for a fancy date. Lobster ravioli - I got the appetizer size and it was huge. I couldn't finish, but it was delicious Broccoli rabe - Very very bitter. This is my favorite vegetable dish so I know what good ones taste like, and I don't think it was cooked enough Gnocchi - Not bad Shrimp, Penne, Broccoli - Yum
(3)
Adam S.

Really great authentic Italian food. Giant portions, great dipping sauce, and quick service.
(4)
Carol C.

Scrumdiddlicious! Had gnocchi al dente and enjoyed every bite!
(5)
Golden S.

naming my first born 'chicken bonna buocco '. This place is A TREAT, my Italiano amicis. Sop up that delicious white wine sauce with your complimentary bread basket and SHARE YOUR PORTIONS! Or else you'll cry!
(5)
Tiffany B.

Solid 4 stars for Al Dente; if you're tired of waiting for Giacomo's, just walk down the street to Salem where all the hidden gems are. It's not the same, it's not better, it's not worse than Giacomo's, but it is pretty darn delicious. Service: My brother & I were seated by a hostess who gave us menus to look over. Our waitress was helpful, patient, & kind. The service was just fine, but if they want to get to a level of extraordinary, the hostess should introduce herself, let us know who our waitress is, & how long she'll be. I'm not complaining so put down your pitchforks, just making remarks on how a place can improve their service experience. Prices: Fair enough! Lots of options to choose from. I especially loved the build your own pasta menu part. Food: After way too many days of fried food, my brother & I opted for the sautÃ© calamari in marinara sauce & the lobster ravioli. The sauce for the calamari was PHENOMENAL. It was magnificent, my tastebuds were drunk on happiness. Tomato sauce all up in my mouth like a party. The calamari was perfectly prepared - perfect texture is perfect. Not too chewy, not too soft, not too hard, just excellently executed. A+++++ for you, Al Dente! As for the famous lobster ravioli everyone seems to rave about, MEH. I love dumplings, I love wontons, but ravioli is just meh. Restaurants seem to have a 2:1 ricotta to protein ratio, so the cheese overpowers the protein. The sauce it was bathing in was delicious, but the ravioli itself was good, not great. I'm not crazy about ravioli, it was good, better than okay, but not last meal on Earth amazing. Less ricotta, more seasoning with the lobster. You know what would make this amazing? If they didn't use ricotta, but used a lighter, yet creamier cheese...maybe gorgonzola. My brother recently finished reading one of Anthony Bourdain's book & told me that Chef Specials are a bit of a cop out - it's all the crap they need to get rid of combined. Even after he told me that, he ordered the Al Dente Special. Guess what it was? Pretty much all the crap they need to get rid of: chicken, shrimp, broccoli, artichoke hearts, etc. A bunch of ingredients that I've never really seen combined together nor do I have any desire to combine them, but it was still decent. I ordered the Shrimp & Scallop Fusilli in vodka sauce. Vodka sauce, you never let me down! Fusilli was perfectly al dente, as it should be or else they should change their restaurant's name, & the sauce was the perfect balance of bold, flavorful, rich, & creamy. I couldn't finish the dish, but I can assure you, I licked my bowls clean when I ate the leftovers two nights ago. Felt like a plebe, but ain't nobody home to judge me. Seafood was great quality & the shrimps were large! The appetizers filled us up (we had gelato & coffee earlier too), so we hardly made a dent in our entrÃ©es, but everything was palatable. With the exception of the lobster ravioli which my brother also thought was meh, we loved our food. Environment: Small restaurant, but not as small as Neptune's, yet not as large as La Famiglia. Low lighting creates a romantic ambiance, perfect for date night, horrible for food photography. Nothing too remarkable - there is a TV in the background. tl;dr food is delicious, take a date - the price is right.
(4)
Teresa G.

The pesto is so delicious best I've ever had. Service was great and quick. Food was just out of this world.
(5)
Lianna N.

When you're in Little Italy the dining choices can be quite overwhelming. I used my trusty yelp app and narrowed my search with "$$" as a limitation. This jumped to the top of my list. We had been starting to eat early dinners in Boston while on vacation because with all the walking we were always starving, and also we found it to be a nice way to beat the crowds and wait times. I'm talking 5/5:30pm dinner here. The restaurant was decorated simple, and the wait staff reminded me of all my favorite grade school teachers or aunts, elderly and adorable. The food was excellent, and the portions were enormous. You cant beat those thick Boston accents either. I thought the veal was nicely done, and the clam sauce in the wine wine was also delicious. I liked the option to go with handmade pasta for an extra $2-3. When in Rome..err or Little Italy. When we left at 6:30ish, there was a crazy line starting to form. Although it was Memorial day, so I dont know if it is always like this. Solid 4 star performance.
(4)
Tanisia A.

We went back in Jan and it was absolutely amazing!! The scallop shrimp with the homemade pasta was literally to die for. Easily could include this as meal to have before I die! Going back to Boston soon and we hope they haven't changed the recipe even an iota because it was perfection. Really great food! Even the chicken off the kids menu was very good. This will be a must when we are in town.
(5)
Tuyen T.

Not the best Italian restaurant I've been to, which was disappointing because I was visiting and was expecting high remarks in Little Italy. I ordered the lobster pasta from the appetizer menu and I think it came with like 4 or so pieces. My friend custom-ordered her spaghetti with meatball and they literally gave her ONE meatball. We also ordered salad which looked like something we could get from the Safeway pre-made salad aisle. All of our dishes looked like it had been slapped onto the plate. The decor on the plate was horrible. Also, I should've known better to not enter the restaurant because the owner was literally standing outside the door hassling potential customers to come in. Unfortunately, my friend and I fell for it. That would've been a good sign to not go in since he had to pull in customers.
(1)
Michele G.

Very disappointing meal. We'd eaten here once before and had flavorful dishes. Tonight everything was bland. Linguini carbonara arrived in a soupy mess of cream and was absolutely tasteless. Mussels and pasta in marinara sauce had no discernible seasoning. Can't recommend.
(2)
Abe A.

Duuude..... They let us in even when the kitchen was about to close. I shared ravioli with sausage with my girl and it was amazing. I'm glad we stumbled upon this gem in the north end.
(5)
Christy D.

Service was caring, and the food was decently tasty, but this just didn't hit the mark for me. My friends and I came here in lieu of Giacomo's (which we went to last time in Boston). We had to get a pretty early reservation, so I would recommend making reservations for sure to get a decent dinner time. All three of us tried the homemade fusili with different sauces...mine was the shrimp scampi, one friend had the primavera and the other had the vodka sauce. I did like the scampi sauce, but the pasta actually disappointed me. It was too thick, like gnocchi, which was a bit heavy for the light sauce. If they had rolled the pasta out thinner and made lighter fusili, I feel like that would've been tastier with the sauces...you know, more surface area for the sauce. I tried the primavera sauce as well and thought it was good, but I preferred the scampi since it was more garlicky. Although it was decent food, I would definitely pick Giacomo's over here next time.
(3)
Jessica S.

I was visiting Boston for a long weekend for the first time and my friend and I were walking along Salem and we're about to stand in a long line for Giacomo's but decided to pick somewhere else to avoid the wait. We looked up some other Italian restaurants in the area and found Al Dente, best decision we made all day. Incredible service from the host, all the way to our lovely waitress Andrea! She made you feel like you were having dinner with the family. And I have to say I had the BEST fettuccine Alfredo I've ever had...the sauce was deliciously creamy and the chicken that k added was juicy and tender. I 100% recommend this place, absolutely delicious!
(5)
Balaji I.

Amazing service! The waitress was super sweet! She made a custom Olive-oil and peppercorn dip with basil and cheese. It was heavenly. The wine collection is great. The lentil broth was perfect for my girlfriend who a little under the weather. The gnocchi was really filling. Their portions are huge!
(5)
Lily N.

I'm not impressed. The waitress we had was too busy chatting with a fellow patron to come over and take our order. We had to have another waitress bring us water. I really wanted to give my tip to the nice lady. The food was okay. My husband's sausage penne in tomato sauce was good but my linguine and clams left a little to be desired. After I had the 8-9 clams, I was left with pasta in what tasted like 'dish water'. It just wasn't for me. Maybe I should have ordered the lasagna or something else. Overall service was poor and the food was mediocre. Hence the 2 star rating.
(2)
Jim F.

Made a reservation for a Friday night. Waited a few minutes to get the table together, the place was very busy. Definitely recommend a reservation, especially if you're going on a weekend. Our waitress was wonderful. Sweet old italian lady named Marge who was excellent. We ordered calamari that was delicious. It was fresh, not oily, and heft portion size. For entree's i ordered lasagna and a meatball. The lasagna was perfect, not mushy, stuffed, and covered in cheese and marina. The meatball was great as well. My girlfriend got veal saltamboca which was also fantastic. Price was very reasonable, 4 ppl drinks, appetizers, and meals was about $160. Highly recommend!
(5)
Kendra E.

PRO: - Large portions! So even though you're paying a steep price, you're getting your money's worth. Food is tasty. I've been here before and I've only been disappointed with one dish so far (look at "cons" section). - Wine is sold by the glass and bottle. The White Zinfandel made by Oak Vineyards is great (especially coming from someone who typically does not drink wine). - Atmosphere and service are great. It can get a bit loud in this tiny little place with everyone talking but it does make the place homey and have character. - Clean, heated bathrooms - Walk toward the bathrooms and along the wall there is a place for you to hang up your coat CONS: - PARKING! If you're lucky, you'll get street parking but if not, good luck! There are several pay-for-parking lots around but I recommend just taking the subway. - Small restaurant and way too crowded. - My taste buds did not like the heaviness of the Gnocchi Al Dente with chicken (Fresh potato gnocchi tossed in a plum tomato sauce with sundried tomatoes, capers, basil, pecorino romano cheese and parmesan cheese, mushrooms and white wine.) It may be because of the potato?? The sundried tomatoes were my favorite ingredient in the dish but overall it just didn't hit the right spot for me. However, other than that, I got to try all of my friend's dishes and they were wonderful. TIPS: - Take the subway and walk on over - Make reservations ahead of time ( aldenteboston.com/reservâ€¦ or call)
(3)
Nick O.

Awesome ambiance and food -- veal parm was delicious, and huge portions! Only small knock is the service -- it took a short while to place our order and pick up the credit card for the check, which was ironic given how quaint the restaurant is. Overall, would highly recommend!
(4)
Elle S.

"Woohoo! As good as it gets!" We went out to the North End on a Saturday night, unaware of how crazy it would be. Every location was crazy busy. We faced the fact that we wouldn't be eating soon, scoured reviews and open reservations, and got a 10pm reservation at Al Dente. We spent 1.5 hours in a pastry shop, drinking wine while we waited for time to roll by. The wait was worth it. We walked into Al Dente, a cute small Italian restaurant and were directed straight to one of the few empty tables. We started with the bruschetta, which was a great start. Our waitress advised us about which pastas were homemade and we made decisions accordingly. My dinner buddy had the gnochi with something-I-wasn't-into. The homemade gnochi was like little potato happiness dancing on the tongue. I had the Shrimp Fusilli in vodka sauce and I very highly recommend it. I loved it. Be aware that the portions are massive. I maybe ate 1/3 of my dish. Our waitress was amazing. As we finished our meal and the restaurant was emptying out, she sat down with us and we chatted. The next morning, we ate the cold leftovers for breakfast. I called the restaurant to see if I could buy a jar of the vodka sauce, but they don't sell it for take-home :( Definitely go with a dish featuring a homemade pasta.
(5)
Jon S.

I came here for lunch. I was the only person there for lunch. Couldn't decide between Chicken Parm and Al Dente Special. The waitress suggested the Al Dente special so I could try a little of everything. This was the worst pasta dish I have ever had in the north end! It lacked an identity, a total hodge podge of random ingredients and flavors. The peppers in it made it taste like Asian stir fry. The home made pasta wasn't great with this dish either. Also, I got an iced tea and it did not taste fresh brewed. If it were, prob. some sort of tea mix? Anyways, The "Al Dente" special cost like $25 w/ the special pasta. With the iced tea, tax and tip, I spent like $35 on this lunch. Not pleased at all with this experience, felt really ripped off walking out the restaurant. Maybe they have other pastas that are good. But why in the world would they have this pasta in the first place, and even recommend it (maybe because it's expensive?) is beyond me. I read an earlier review and saw this. This is spot on: "My brother recently finished reading one of Anthony Bourdain's book & told me that Chef Specials are a bit of a cop out - it's all the crap they need to get rid of combined. Even after he told me that, he ordered the Al Dente Special. Guess what it was? Pretty much all the crap they need to get rid of: chicken, shrimp, broccoli, artichoke hearts, etc. A bunch of ingredients that I've never really seen combined together nor do I have any desire to combine them, but it was still decent."
(1)
Ko I.

I dined here on two occasions, both during the Patriot's Day weekend to carbo-load before the Boston Marathon. I had excellent dining experience during both. Authentic Italian food in ample size for very reasonable price. What else can I ask for? I had a spicy Pasta Puttanesca and one gigantic mother of an Italian antipasto here. Not sure if my uploaded pics will be directly visible from this review, but look at the size of the dish dang! Thanks for the friendly service and great food!
(5)
Sophie R.

Don't know how this place got its 4-stars. First off the bread was not fresh and they served it with packaged butter instead of olive oil. We ordered two dishes, the stuffed veal and the sausage dish. The latter was so bland that we ate only 1/4 of it. The veal was ok but it's not a 4 star dish either. It's a family style place and plates were very big. However it's not worth the $ if u prefer gourmet.
(2)
Ryan A.

As good as it gets in terms of Italian food. I feel like I'm home having my mother's cooking. THE freshest tomatoes and mozzarella in the caprese salad and the penne in vodka sauce is heaven. The service is fast and very friendly. By far my favorite Italian place in Boston
(5)
Celin W.

Huge portions and friendly service! Takes reservations so that's convenient for the North End. I had the chicken and broccoli penne pasta - not bad but nothing outstanding and particularly memorable.
(3)
Isabelle D.

The food was delicious and the staff was very friendly. This is my first restaurant that I went to when I got to Boston. Its intimate but its also family friendly. I had to wait a little while but the end results led to a FRESH meal!
(5)
Liz W.

We visited Al Dente because we wanted the kind of homemade-style Italian food you can't really get in the south, and we weren't disappointed. All of their pasta is freshly made-to-order, and the bolognese sauce I had with my fusili was the best I've ever had at any restaurant (it is officially the only meat sauce I've found that I like as much as my own recipe). I tried my hardest to finish it, but the portion sizes are huge. Unless you have two stomachs, you can definitely expect to have enough left over for a second meal! Pricewise, they reasonable, averaging between $15-$20 an entree, which is a bargain for the quality and the amount of food you get. Our waitress was really friendly and was able to recommend a great wine, even though they were balls-to-the-wall busy when we ate there. The only thing that detracted from the amazing meal in any way was the fact that we had made a reservation for 9:00, and they weren't able to seat us until almost 9:30. This wouldn't have been a huge issue, but there's no space inside to wait (it's super tiny), so we had to stand out on the street in the cold for almost 45 minutes (we had also arrived 15 mins early for our reservation). I really don't think it was the restaurant's fault...like I said, they were extremely busy, and they don't have many tables to begin with. We weren't the only ones, either, there was three other groups of people waiting outside with us, all in the same boat. The big Italian guy who stands outside and checks reservations (bouncer? maitre 'd? both?) was actually getting really annoyed, because the people who were taking up our tables had finished eating for like 20-30 minutes and were just sitting there playing on their phones and hanging around for no reason. We stood there watching them the whole time from our (freezing, miserable) vantage point, and it went beyond the usual post-dinner relaxing and chit-chat, to the point of just being outright inconsiderate of other patrons who were obviously waiting for tables. I would take stars off if I really thought the restaurant was at fault for not being able to keep our reservation, but in this case it was clearly just rude customers holding up the whole process. Even so, the food was totally worth it. I would definitely return the next time I visit Boston, but I'd probably go on a weeknight to avoid the crowd.
(5)
Doug H.

They were running a little behind on the reservations, but more than made up with it with their service and the food.
(5)
K D.

Delicious food. Beautiful presentation. And the best part- Margie. She made us feel very special.
(5)
Lauren B.

Every time I make it to Boston, this is my one non- negotiable restaurant stop. The food is tremendous in every good way possible. Fresh, delicious, and huge portions. The people who work there are down to earth and absolutely genuine and lovely. This was the first time I came with my toddler in tow, and every single person was warm and welcoming to her. Our server, Jojo, was a doll and even the host and young man who cleared our table took the time to play with my overly friendly little girl. Try the fussili with pesto and chicken. You won't be sorry!
(5)
T S.

Great service and family friendly. We enjoyed all of our pasta dishes and the sea bass was excellent.
(5)
Brian K.

Shrimp and scallop in vodka sauce with fusilli = delicious. And killer - this thing will clog your arteries but who cares. It was so good. It's a good portion - you can share this. The bread dipping sauce is so simple yet so amazing. Complimentary creamy lemoncello came with the bill. It was very good so I stuck around and ordered a glass of it. The Italian wine selection was weak; I saw more CA varietals than Italian ones. Nice, cozy little restaurant. I will return. It's a must.
(5)
Grace W.

This is our 'go to' place every time we are in Boston. A "must have" is anything with their homemade pasta. Ask for Andrea. (All the girls are great!)
(5)
Cara S.

Do you like fresh pasta? Do you like a cozy homestyle setting? Then this is the place. Every time my boyfriend and I want Italian, Al Dente is the first and only choice for us. It might not be on Hanover Street, but that sort of heightens the appeal for me, less foot traffic and a greater chance to get a table. Don't be alarmed, once inside it is small as many restaurants in the area, so definitely make reservations if you have a large group, it is a weekend or during the summertime as it can get fairly busy. As for the food, we are people of habit both generally get the same thing each time we are here. You can't go wrong with any of their fresh pastas (the fusilli, tortellini, ravioli and gnocchi are the best to name a few.) The service is fantastic, we have had Lisa serve us on multiple occasions and she is absolutely lovely (not to mention how everyone makes you feel like family once you're inside.) There is no other choice for Italian food in the North End. They do not serve dessert however and that is because they choose to support the bakeries in the area, but if you're of age they will leave you with a little limoncello shot with your check before you go.
(5)
Wendell C.

Fantastic first experience at Al Dente. Host was very welcoming to begin our 4:30 Saturday dinner reservation. Immediately were sat. I checked out the menu prior so I had an idea of what I was gonna have before. Marg was our waitress and was THE BEST. So funny and knowledgable. Gave us plenty of time with the menu, in between apps and entrees. Other servers in the industry take notes. She did an excellent job. We started with the typical Antipasta. Original, but well done. Then the shrimp appetizer. Hooooolyyyy heck. Delicious. I stole the last one. It was sweet and perfectly seared. I got the Al Dente Special. Veal. Chicken. Shrimp. Veggies and fettuccine. How can you go wrong with a perfect white wine sauce. Well Al Dente delivered. Night finished off with limoncello shots. Thick and sweet. Overall a great experience. I love the small, dark atmosphere and simple, authentic Italian menu. Definitely coming back for a date night. 100% going to Marg. The other servers were also efficient with clearing plates and busing food. A+ job, Al Dente.
(4)
Tulan K.

Super nice rest. Small place but nice. We reserved for 830 but got there 730 and no problem the nice.guy outside got us seated right away. The main reason I like this place is for its quantity and good price. We almost never go to italian rest since wifey being veggie it is not viable to spend 16 bucks for a fistful of pasta and sauce. The qty and quality are really nice. We ordered bruschetta for app and it was nice little less on salt but good but the entres were really really good . She got gnocchi w veggies and butter garlic sauce while I got chkn stuffed with prosciutto spinach and red pepper with roasted red pepper risotto and gorgonzola cheese cream sauce All thing cost 62 with tips and they validate parking for a parking garage for $1 for 1 hr and $2 for 2 hours but abything after 3 hrs and not valid. Def will visit again and try other stuff...but dont miss it since it could be the best italian place in north end.ka pish
(5)
Bob J.

Yummy and friendly. Came on a Wednesday night without a reservation and were greeted warmly and a table was set up for the 4 of us. Wait staff were also extremely friendly and very knowledgeable about the menu. Good wine, tasty apps, and wonderful meals at a reasonable price for the quality of the food. Vodka sauce was amazing as was a chicken special. Both recommended by our server. Can't beat the North End.
(5)
Sam L.

I love Italian food. Just randomly picked a restaurant in the North End. And ... what a good find! Food: Ordered the lobster ravioli - per usual at every Italian joint in the North End. And I must say... it was delicious. The portion was just right. Left me full but not overwhelmed. Also came with small pieces of shrimp! Service: Excellent and friendly. We told the staff we had to be in and out to catch a show. And we were seated right away, order was taken, food came out, check was completed all in time. Ambiance: Typical North End Italian feel.
(5)
A M.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN BOSTON. Love this place. I really, really, really recommend reserving a table beforehand, especially on the weekend. It gets super busy. There is always a line outside the restaurant. There is a guy who stands in front of the door when you check-in your reservation. He looks really intimidating. He's super nice & sweet, but very orderly and efficient. When you enter, the place is really small but cozy. The wait staff is lovely which adds to the cozy and homey feel of the place. They know when to check in on you and back off. The pasta is DELICIOUS and fresh. A great serving for each person. DEFINITELY WORTH THE PRICE. COME TO THIS RESTAURANT. One of the best in the North End.
(5)
Alexandra M.

So much food. Ive had the vodka sauce before and had pesto this time snd both were amazing. Perfect pasta and great sauce. A bit hard to take away though because the oil will leak out (so I wasnt able to eat it for 3 meals), but all pesto is like that. A good way to know its fresh! I found a few chunks of parmesan too--mmmmm. We had the fried broccoli to start which wasnt very crispy but the sauce was nice and the lemom was a perfect addidition. We were suggested wine whicb was fine, not amazing. The lemoncello was the end was the consistency of cough syrup. The bus boy kept hitting on us which was funny, the server was nice and the doorman was funny too. A bit cramped, but you wouldnt really notice because the food is delicious!
(4)
Nicole R.

Service was great, lunch prices were really reasonable. Portions are huge and the quality doesn't suffer. I loved my food at Al Dente and i can't wait to come back.
(5)
Wen-fai F.

For the service, giant size of portions, and general quality of food, Al Dente is a solid 4-star joint in the heart of the North End. Came here on Memorial Day at prime dinnertime at 7:30p. We didn't have a reservation, but my party of 2 was seated within 20 minutes. The host first took our name down and as we waited outside, he kept updating us on the table situation and how much longer it would be, which I really appreciated. I've found that many restaurants in the North End give the standard "15-20 minute" time estimate, regardless of how much time it will actually take to get a table. But not Al Dente. There is absolutely no room to wait inside the restaurant though, so we were thankful it was nice out. We ordered the chicken marsala over fettucini and the cavatappi with vodka sauce. The vodka sauce was really tasty (much better than the kind that comes in a jar, for sure!) and the chicken was very moist in the marsala. My friend also had a healthy glass of wine which brought us to ~$25 each, tax/tip included. We each stuffed ourselves and still had half a meal's worth of leftovers. Definitely a steal for the North End. However, there were a couple of strange things: the bread given in the beginning of the meal was a little old, and the wine we ordered was poured right in front of us from a pre-opened bottle. The place is also pretty tiny (and thus crowded). While the same waitress seemed to be working the entire restaurant and we couldn't always get her attention right away, she did remarkably well in checking in on us throughout our meal. This is definitely a place where I would bring an old friend, as opposed to someone who I'm really trying to impress.
(4)
Mary J.

Like many restaurants in the north end of Boston, al dente was no exception to the seemingly endless wait despite the reservation made ahead of time. My party and I were told to come here by a good friend and local and were not disappointed when we set out for legit authentic Italian food. The setting was perfect and the service was impeccable! We ordered the bruschetta to start followed by eggplant Parmesan, chicken Parmesan, gnocchi, and a salad with chicken and figs. Everyone was very pleased with their dish and sadly we didn't have room for dessert. This place was a gem on salem street! Definitely would come back again
(4)
Sylvain F.

We have dined in this restaurant for the first and last time. We had eaten at 3 on a table for two while we had booked a table! He even had to wait 10 minutes more than the reservation time for a table. 2 of the 3 dishes ordered were good but for the third, the meat was tasteless and pasta bathed in the water ... The service was good. I think there are other more interesting Italian restaurants in this area.
(3)
Lauren B.

LOUD! Small place and the people volume hurts your ears, couldn't wait to leave. Food was mediocre at best, not sure where all the rave reviews are coming from. Service was great, only thing going for them. Not worth it.
(2)
Julie P.

We really enjoyed this place. made a reservation several days in advance, but still you have to wait outside until the doorman lets you in, but that is part of the charm. You dont have to wait very long. The place is very small, so its crowded and loud, but that is what the North End is about. The waitress was great. She was friendly, efficient and the food was ready fairly quickly. I had chicken and eggplant parm and my friend had shrimp. Both dishes were great and affordable. We will definitely visit Al Dente again!
(4)
SAMANTHA P.

One of my favorite north end spots. Great prices and the seafood pasta (get it with lemon butter sauce) is great!!!
(5)
Lillian C.

My friend was visiting and we wanted to get lunch in the North End so we turned to yelp for some suggestions. We weren't sure how busy this place was going to be but we took our chances and decided to go. There was no wait when we got there, but it filled up quickly after we sat down. This seems like a very traditional and family run Italian place. The workers were friendly and the portions were HUGE!!! The price wasn't too bad either. The menu has many different options and I opted for the Shrimp and Calamari Fra Diavalo. It came with a lot of shrimp and calamari and lasted me two meals. The sauce was nice and spicy, but not too spicy. The bread that comes at the beginning is bland and cold... Just skip it. There are a lot of places in the North End but this is one of those places I would go to for lunch since Giacomo's is only open for dinner...
(3)
Marc U.

This place hit the spot! Awesome, authentic Italian food - small atmosphere so make a rezzy but you will not leave hungry - I can promise that
(5)
Cindy M.

I was lucky enough to come in on a night that one table was open and there was no wait because I had been trying to eat here for a while now. The place is small but very cozy and just perfect for the North End. I ordered the Bolognese Pasta (Classic tomato sauce simmered with selected ground beef, veal and pork). When I got my plate it was huge and I knew half would come back to the hotel with me. The pasta was perfectly cooked, the sauce was a perfect mixture of meat and tomato sauce and all together was just the best Bolognese Pasta I have ever had. I took half of my plate to the hotel and had it for dinner the following day and it was just as good the next day! I cannot wait to try what else they have!
(5)
Christine J.

One of my favorite Italian restaurants in Boston! MInestrone soup - just heavenly. such a giant portion with ample hearty vegetables and the most soothing tomato broth. A must try. Chicken Parm - you can't go wrong. amazing. Mussels pasta - my favorite. Not the fanciest place but def the yummiest.
(4)
Taylor W.

Delicious! My date and I were searching for an Italian lunch in the north end and this one in particular stood out by the opened, inviting windows. First off, the bread is fantastic! A little oil with crushed red, cheese, salt, and pepper makes it perfect. I wish we were asked if we wanted more bread with the meal, I would've loved to dip it in the sauce. I ordered the first pasta dish: the fusilli pasta with peppers, onions, zucchini, in a plum tomato sauce (sans goat cheese). The dish was baked in an oven before served which gave the first layer a nice texture that I wish lasted throughout! My date ordered the veal parm. Again, the dish was baked in an oven. I don't like veal so I didn't try it, but he loved it. The couple next to us kept saying how much they loved their meal and the staff was very friendly and attentive. Unfortunately, our lunch was interrupted by an out-of-nowhere downpour and my date got a little wet since we were sitting by the window. They quickly closed the windows and everything was fine! Overall 5/5 stars.
(5)
Maria O.

Went to dinner on a date with my boyfriend last night. We went around 8:30pm and the place was packed! We were met at the door by a very nice host who asked if we had reservations, he immediately recognized the look on our faces and quickly whispered over to the waitress to separate two tables. He then came over and whispered to my boyfriend not to tell anyone. The waitress was sweet and had a warm nature. The ambience was very casual. The place wasn't too loud, it had an old world charm. Now for the food: To start, he ordered the minestrone soup, and I the garden salad. Both came out fresh and delicious. For the entree, he ordered the chicken with sautÃ©ed vegetables and pasta fusilli, I ordered the veal Valentino. Both were amazing! This place is your typical northend Italian restaurant. Very authentic and very satisfying. We will definitely be returning, next time with reservations ;)
(4)
Lauren S.

As many people have echoed before, my experience was colored by the rudeness of the host. Though I'm accustomed to the Bostonian attitude by now and usually not bristled by gruffness, the unkind demeanor of the host really dampened the mood for what I hoped would be a really nice birthday dinner for my mother. I made a reservation online and we showed up 15 minutes early and put our name in. My 60-something year old mother was in high spirits from a nice day walking around the city and was humming some Italian tune we heard just minutes earlier on the street. He said to her "Are you just going to stand there and do that? You better believe it's annoying the hell out of me." We both kind of laughed it off, but then 15 minutes later, when it was time to seat us, he called out our party name and then said to my mom "oh, it was you who was watching me the whole time thinking I wouldn't seat you. Well your reservation was for 6:30 and I'm seating you for 6:30." When my mom started to say "Oh I'm sorry, we were just early and excited because it's my birthday..." He cut her off and said "I don't care, 6:30 is 6:30" and then threw the menus onto the table and walked away. I could tell my mom was feeling a little hurt and in damper spirits. We both enjoyed our meals, but his demeanor really sucked a bit of the joy out of what was otherwise a really nice day. I understand that the restaurant deals with a high volume of people, but a host truly sets the tone for the meal. If you want people to have a nice time at your restaurant, kindness at the start goes a long way.
(3)
Amie W.

Absolutely delicious and fresh! Definitely not one of those over priced tourist traps! If you love pasta and love choosing your favorite type of pasta with your favorite authentic Italian sauce, this is the place for you! There is more than just pasta and there are enough options for everybody to choose with very affordable prices... so no whining vegetarians or meat lovers here! The portions are huge so there are definite possibilities to repeat this pleasurable indulgence with leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day! There's fast, friendly and most importantly ATTENTIVE service from north end locals which gives the restaurant a true sense of authenticity. Not a formal dining scene, but is a comfortable casual for a sultry date night, or night out with friends. Plus this place gets extra brownie points for serving a full basket of fresh bread and butter before the whole table was fully seated! :) who likes waiting forever for bread? No one! The only disappointment, no olive oil with roasted garlic cloves for the bread. The place is small so make reservations! We went around 9 on a Friday night, the place was packed and bursting with clinking, chatter and laughter, but we were pleasantly surprised to wait not even 10 min for a table. The host was very friendly and frequently checked in with our group to update us on the status of our table. Our server Margie was the best and we wanted to take her home! She made us feel as though we were being served in her own kitchen. She was warm, patient and genuine with her suggestions and casual table talk. We all enjoyed our meals and definitely plan to make this our new favorite spot for causal Italian.
(4)
Rebecca S.

I ordered Shrimp and Calamari Fra Diavalo dish without pasta and they were more than happy to accommodate. Seafood was perfectly cooked and the sauce was superb. The waitress even came back to check and make sure that they didn't give me pasta once the dish arrived. Fabulous food and great service!
(4)
Michael T.

Best lobster ravioli I've had and great service. They were extremely welcoming and even gave us a free drink for forgetting ice. Will come back here
(5)
William H.

Fair, but there's definitely better especially in the North End. Service is a bit slow but I'll assume they really take time to make everything (after all, they aspire for that "al dente" pasta cooking perfection...ha). The shrimp and scallop is pretty good. Pasta is just the right amount of chewy and the seafood was well prepared. Just wish there was some more in that plate...
(3)
Courtney L.

The food was fabulous and they take reservations, which in the North End is always a nice thing. Our table of 6 ordered the Bruschetta, Fried Calamari and Eggplant Rollatini for apps and they were all delicious (especially the calamari and eggplant!). I got the Shrimp and Scallops in Vodka Sauce with their homemade pasta and it was amazing. My husband ordered the Seafood Saffron Risotto which was also very yummy. The portions are huge and the service is friendly. The only complaint I had was the noise level. It was a busy night but it was very loud. It felt like we were yelling at each other just to be heard (we are in our early 30's).
(5)
Christopher T.

I was hungry for something different and after six with this hot guy, Italian came to mind plus I was in the area. This restaurant was at the top of the Yelp list of restaurants for the North End and I figured that 4:00 pm was a good time to eat. The atmosphere of the establishment was small yet kind of zozy, I've been in better, yet I let the mediocre decorations and fake plants pass. The first unfortunately of my repast was the disinterested staff, from the waiters to the host. Perhaps they prefer the much older crowd rather than someone who looks genuinely handsome like myself. After looking over the menu, I knew what I want and sat for 10 minutes. The waitress who served me never once made eye contact and was very unpleasant; she was one of the top disinterested individual I've met in a while. While waiting to order, the wait staff ( kids) at another table across from me made eye contact but refused to lift a finger while they proceeded to fold dinner napkins and clean utensils, all while I and other guesses had to watch, totally unprofessional. It must be the province these people are from because the next insult was the cold, not-so-fresh bread with cold pats of butter which I so dislike. When the waitress walked over, I informed her that I'd been ready for 5 minutes and she got an attitude, of course which was reflected in her tip. I ordered the homemade catalonia..it looked quite good on arrival and topped with fresh Romano cheese added to the delicious flavor. A little salt & pepper to taste and I'd recommend this dish to anyone. The last HUGE insult was that the host had a party of five behind me and right before they arrived, he came to my table and pulled it forward saying they needed the room. His unprofessionalism was profound so I did the only thing I could, I moved the table back while he and the others watched then proceeded to read my book for the next 30+ minutes. Oh you should have seen the glares, it was very appealing!
(1)
Chris R.

From start to finish I liked this restaurant. Like many North-End restaurants, this place is small, so around the dinner hours you should expect a wait. Went here looking for an authentic Italian restaurant, and I found one. The dishes were spot on, and the service was top-notch. Eating at this restaurant was the closest I think I could be to having a personal Italian chef at my home.
(5)
Phyllis L.

I simply loved the restaurant and it's atmosphere. I am really particular about Italian food and Al Dente did not disappoint. The meal was well cooked and portions were good. The waiter did not rush my friend and I and he was knowledgeable about the menu. My friend and I enjoyed our first trip there and I would like to go there another time.
(5)
Royce L.

I came in for lunch after seeing the good ratings on Yelp. It wasn't too busy (weekday early afternoon) so I was served quickly. I chose to take the rolled veal with prosciutto in tomato sauce with a side of red pepper risotto. I was pretty disappointed with the meal - the risotto was more like rice in a red pepper sauce and the veal was just ok. The North End has loads of great looking Italian restaurants, so next time I would go check one of these out. It might have just been the dish that I ordered, but it was not what I expected from a 4* restaurant. The server was very friendly, so no complaints there.
(2)
Judy N.

So my boyfriend and I were strolling through North End, trying to find a place to eat. A worker (I think the host) at Al Dente Restaurant was outside and asked us what kind of food we were looking for. We were just browsing so he started telling us about the restaurant; how long its been open, how long their head chefs been there (quite a long time so that's impressive), and some dishes of theirs that won awards! So with that, we were sold, and asked for a table for 2. We were seated right away and the waitress was absolutely great, so kind! We ordered the dishes that won the awards- the Spinach Crepe and the Pasta Carbonara, and then the calamari because we just had to We didn't want to get too full so we shared everything, and with that, the waitress timed the dishes perfectly so that once we were done with the calamari, she brought out the spinach crepe, and after we were done with that, she brought out the pasta! (excellent service!) So here's the food breakdown: Calamari was alright. Our first impression after the first bite was that it was chewy and it didn't seem fresh. But then, we added some lemon juice and it started to taste much better. I still prefer my calamari a little bit more crispier though. Spinach Crepe- I was nervous about trying this at first because I'm accustomed to sweet crepes. HOWEVER, I was blown away. This was the BEST dish out of the 3 ordered. The cream sauce was flavored justttt right. The crepe was ever so soft! It's amazing how it held together so well.. and then the spinach puree inside: perfect! I highly recommend this dish to anyone coming here!! I'm not surprised this dish won awards!!!!! Pasta Carbonara- Now, I ordered this really quickly because it won awards and it was recommended but after eating the spinach crepe which was creamy... we were both craving some tomato based pasta sauces! The carbonara still had good flavor though, we just couldn't enjoy it as much after the crepe. The table next to us did say it smelled Amazing though :)
(4)
Gina R.

Had a reservation on a Saturday night. They called to confirm with a ton of info, and were just all-around great. Food was great, we were seated promptly, service was top notch and friendly.
(5)
Alyssa F.

Al Dente is a hole in the wall spot, but once you find it, you're sure to come back. I ordered the chicken, penne and broccoli with white wine sauce. My dining companion ordered the vodka sauce. We split a bottle of the pinot grigio. Bill was $62. Not bad for two huge portions (we both took to-go boxes home!) and four glasses of wine each. I'll be back.
(4)
Erin M.

The hostess was extremely nice, as was our waiter The wine list was nice, and our waiter was very quick to refill wine and water. The food came out quickly and was delicious. Our table had gnocchi, eggplant parmagiana, and roasted eggplant with penne and spicy marinara. All were delicious, and we would return!
(5)
Sarah A.

I was up in Boston for a grad school interview and decided to make a weekend out of it. The concierge at our hotel recommended this restaurant and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! The restaurant had a cozy, comfortable atmosphere that felt as if you'd stepped off the city street into someone's kitchen. The staff was friendly and attentive, helping even the most indecisive navigate their way through the sea of Italian-based dishes. At the recommendation of our concierge, we began our meal with the pumpkin ravioli in brown sugar sauce. And we should have ended it right there. It's not that the rest of the meal was disappointing, but the ravioli was THAT amazing. It was love at first bite and I couldn't stop myself! The dish was a masterful blend of subtle pumpkin flavors balanced with a delectable sugary sauce that melted in my mouth and left me wanting more. I have never come closer to disregarding social etiquette and licking up every last drop of that sweet, sweet sauce, or should I call it the nectar of the gods? My only regret was getting 4 ravioli instead of 8. Since the dishes are pretty large and there were 3 of us in the party, we decide to split 2 of their pasta entrees. After combing through the reviews on yelp we selected the gnocchi in a Bolognese sauce and their red vodka sauce. Both dishes were excellent but I was so strung up on the ravioli that nothing else compared. If you're ever in the neighborhood and in the mood for a light lunch or full dinner definitely stop in and give it a try. The pumpkin ravioli is a MUST!!!!
(5)
Kerri W.

Family tradition to go here on New Year's Eve (reservations made well in advance.) This was by far the BEST meal we have had here. The owner served our table and was funny and made us feel welcomed and not rushed. Calamari is excellent! I had chicken masala (huge portion w their homemade pasta.) Excellent marsala sauce w big chunks of ham and mushrooms (my mouth is watering again as I type this.) Their red sauce is fabulous too. Why go anyplace else? This is THE place to go for good North End Italian food!
(5)
Humza A.

Decent meal, but price was over the top. I got charged $30 for mediocre pasta. Won't be coming back
(1)
Craig N.

Just what you want out of a north end restaurant. Busy as hell. Great staff and service. Bonnie was excellent. We started with an appetizer of pumpkin ravioli. Great starter. Be way too rich as a main dish but perfect as appetizer to share. Bread was basic Italian. But request the dipping sauce and oh wow. A whole new level. The sauce has olive oil balsamic vinegar garlic and tarragon. Awesome. Had the shrimp and scallops with vodka sauce. A must have. The sauce was superb. Pasta was perfectly all dente with great scallops and shrimp. Yes it's small crowded and loud. But that's what makes the atmosphere. Truly a fun night of great service and food. You will feel like u are family.
(5)
Chris W.

This place is TOP notch! Came here for a dinner with my wife and we were amazed. Our server Margie who had just turned 80 and was this super cute bubbly Italian woman was incredible! She helped us through the massive menu and picked out some great items! Highly recommended!
(5)
Julie V.

Coming from a large Italian family, I have high standards when it comes to Italian food and have been to some great places in the North End. Al Dente is definitely my top choice and here's why - the food is great and the price is fabulous as well, as opposed to really expensive places that serve OK food. I made a reservation on open table and noted that we were celebrating my boyfriend's birthday, and asked if there was some kind of dessert they could bring out. Walking into Al Dente it is a small one room restaurant, but they have their system down in terms of layout and traffic flow! I wish I could remember our waitress' name because she was FABULOUS. You could definitely tell she is a mother and took care of us like we were her kids. Example to come later! I ordered the chicken parm and stupidly wore a nice white blouse to dinner. When we got our food, our waitress took a huge napkin and tucked it into the front of my shirt for me, just like mom! She was so sweet! OK the food - SO good! I got a mountain of pasta and a piece of chicken literally almost as long as the plate and yes, I ate it all :) We both got drinks as well and dinner before tip was around $60 - not bad at all! The best part was they brought out tiramisu with a candle and sang happy birthday and also brought out limoncello shots on the house for his birthday! All in all the food, hospitality and price were fabulous and I am absolutely going back!
(5)
Todd S.

Great food, Great service reasonable prices. Our server Bonnie was attentive, quick and entertaining. The food is excellent the portions are large and the prices are more than fair. We made a reservation and arrived 45 minutes early with a party of 7 and they sat us within 5 minutes. I would recommend Aldente to anyone.
(5)
Nisreen G.

Homemade pumpkin ravioli in a butter, brown sugar, and sage sauce . Thick slices of breaded eggplant tucked inbetween layers of cheesy lasagna. Al Dente in the North end is another one of those must try restaurants off of Hanover street. I came here with a large party and our reservation was very much needed since the restaurant tends to build quite a line after 5 pm. Once you get past the slightly pushy male hostess you can look forward to light banter and sweet service by any of the waitresses in al dente. Like most north end spots, the seating is limited and crowded but at your table the plates of pasta and rich red sauces are deep enough to get lost in. I reccommend any of the specials they have that day. Our party went with many of them and we weren't disappointed. Like most North end spots, the prices were a bit high-- around 14-20 $ a plat but the portions were extremely large and all of their pastas were homemade. The atmosphere is a little loud though so its not the best place for a romantic date but definitely a good spot for friends. You can listen to the chatter around you as you stuff your faces.
(4)
Sharkus N.

I hate to be "that guy" that goes against 350+ reviews but my meal here was far from great. And it was consensus amongst my whole party that the food was "ok". I had the Al Dente special (with sausage) and it was no better than something I throw together at home. My fellow diners got the frutti di mare (mediocre), veal (mediocre) and lasagna (good). The caprese salad was one of the worst I've ever had - again, no better than what I can do at home. The fresh fusilli was great. Waitress was a riot and the location/ambiance were great.
(3)
Shendi X.

Words cannot describe my gastronomic pleasure at having taken an inaugural bite of last night's chicken marsala... I currently take a moment, if only to mentally relive such culinary delight! The space is a bit small and cramped, considering, but don't let that be a deterrent to your experiencing an exceptionally well-prepared meal - and as with many restaurants in the North End, the waitstaff is both deeply invested, and pleasantly friendly. A win, for certain.
(4)
Dhruv P.

Went to Boston last week being in North End, came upon Al Dente when looking up ratings on Yelp. I ordered the Arabiata, which was probably the best Arabiata I've had. The sauce was spicy and flavorful and the chopped pepperoncini was a nice touch (Yep, I ate some... yum!) With some friends, I was also able to try both the Vodka and the Pesto. Both were delicious and I would definitely recommend the Pesto dish. The basil was fresh and the oil was superb. The ambiance is very familial and a great place to feel like you are in the Old World. Its cozy, warm and at times loud (but in a fun way)
(4)
Anonymous P.

Pros: very friendly staff, yummy food (I had the shrimp and scallops in vodka sauce) Cons: a little expensive (at least for my liking) and small space Overall, I enjoyed my dinner here.
(4)
Gopal S.

We went there for Mother's day lunch. Made the reservation using Open Table, were seated right on arrival. Their pumpin ravioli was really good for an appetizer and the calamari appetizer was great and good quantity. My kids can never have enough with Calamari, but even they were full. The portions here are huge - we ordered the Lobster ravioli and Shrimp Scampi and split it between the four of us - it was still large portions. The home made fussili was great. Overall a great dining experience in the North End. I will gladly recommend. Will I go there again - sure, but after I finish eating at all of the other Italian places in the North End. The $1 parking the Parcel 7 garage (intersection of New Sudbury Street and Congress) for 2 hours with validation made it all the more awesome!
(4)
helena c.

Thursday night dinner around 630. Ordered the pesto with veal on linguine. The pasta was wayyy over cooked (soggy), the pesto didn't have much flavor at all ( I think they forgot to add salt), the veal was absolutely disappointing. I ate as much as I needed to not be hungry anymore but took home 75% of the plate, I have no idea if I'll touch it again. It's good to see that others had a good experience but I'll wait in line at giacome from now on. I gave two stars for location, ambiance, service, and cause I didn't get sick.
(2)
Natalia L.

Amazing food!!! Good atmosphere! If you can picture dining with long, lost Italian relatives, who really know how to cook, then you've pictured the Al Dente experience. They will prepare just about anything to your liking! (But the way they make it is perfect!!) You definitely want to try the lobster ravioli! I'm not even a lobster fan and I couldn't get enough! The pesto sauce (I added chicken) and the vodka cream sauce were so good that I dreamt about them!! Next time I'm in Boston, Al Dente is going to be my first stop!!!
(5)
Wyndham J.

The sauces are delicious, the pasta is fresh, the portions are huge, the prices are great ! Our server, ( Marge , I believe) was an older woman who was so sweet and made sure we had everything we needed. We will definitely return !
(5)
Amanda R.

Amazing pasta The food was soo good. Pasta was fresh and delicious. Small place very nice service. Will definitely go back. Prices were very reasonable .
(4)
Chrizzle D.

Yum, yum, YUM! Came here on a Sunday night. We made reservations using "Open Table" to make reservations, but they didn't have it down on their system. So if you're planning on making reservations for the same day in a few hours, I'd recommend calling and letting them know instead of using this online tool. The wait staff is amazing. When we got there, I let the hostess know that we made reservations. As noted earlier, our name wasn't on there. We got lucky and managed to score a table right away. Our waitress was awesome. She was very knowledgeable and was very honest about what to order. She got it right. I got the bolognese with gnocchi and the boyfriend got the clam in white wine sauce. There's A LOT of food. The good news is that it's freakin' delicious. We were sooooo excited when we had leftovers (best lunch leftover ever!). We will most definitely be back. Totally worth everything. The cost was well worth it too (total bill came out to $60 with booze and food).
(5)
Jeff F.

#NAME?
(3)
dave w.

went here on a friday with the fiancee looking for something classic and filling -- we found it. the staff was super friendly and service was prompt but not too quick. after surveying their specials, i ordered perhaps the best ricotta lasagna i'd ever tasted. we also thoroughly enjoyed the the shrimp and scallops fusilli alla vodka which had a flavorful and chunky sauce and a healthy helping of seafood (though the pasta was a little chewy for our tastes).
(4)
L M.

Stay away from Al Dente! The host was totally creepy and inappropriate with my friend while we were trying to get a table and needless to say, we left immediately. Yuck.
(1)
Tiff L.

Came here on a chilly Saturday afternoon and to my surprise, the place wasn't as packed as I thought it would be. My friend and I were quickly seated and it did not take long for the food to come. I ordered the A'Matriciana with Penne. They give really large portions for the price's worth. The food was amazing! Authentic and tasty! I'll be coming back soon...when my wallet gets a little fatter.
(4)
Jessica H.

I LOVED the vodka sauce that went with the lobster raviolis. We had that as our app and i wanted more. I got their pasta with vodka sauce as my main entree and unfortunately the sauce was different from the app and it was too spicy for me. i also didnt love the texture of the fresh pasta. it was very chewy and not in an "al dente" type way. Our waitress was great and saw i didnt eat my meal. When i told her it was too spicy she asked what else i wanted and i requested the lobster ravioli. She was nice enough to switch it for me.
(4)
Tom W.

The wait having a reservation was a little while (20-30 min), but not too bad, and the food was very, very good. We would go back.
(4)
Meg H.

NIce casual place in the north end. If your looking for a quite night out with some italian comfort food this is the place to go. The waitress was very accommodating and nice. Also the location is great because if you want some desert Mike's is just around the corner.
(4)
Lauren S.

I love the North End and enjoy trying new restaurants - and this one is a gem! The food was delish! The service wonderful! Prices extremely fair! Portions large! Our waitress was a cute, older lady who was so friendly and down to earth. She was making jokes and had a great personality. The homemade fussili was to die for. Three of us had it, just in different dishes/sauces. I got pesto alfredo and it was one of the best I have had. The pumpkin ravioli was also enjoyed by someone in our party. Can't say enough about this place. I don't have one complaint. Recommend making reservations as it was quite filled, even on a Monday night. We will definitely be returning!
(4)
Lauren M.

Went here with my boyfriend for our anniversary last month. We made a reservation for around 5:30, but ended up being a little early, and were seated right away. Andrea(?) was our waitress; she was extremely helpful and friendly! I had penne pasta with the quattro formagio sauce. It could have been cheesier (I am BIG on cheese), but it was still very delicious. The portions were huge. I took my leftovers home and ate them the next day! This was our first experience in the North End and it was a great one!
(5)
Chris S.

Fantastic. A must if you like Italian. I have been here at least ten times and have never been disappointed. The homemade fusilli is mouth watering and I could eat the vodka sauce with a spoon. I have never had a bad dish here. Lobster ravioli and shrimp scampi apps are great. Al Dante special is my mothers go to. It's a bit tight inside when it's full but not too bad. Place is so authentic that they don't even bother serving coffe or desert. Big portions with old Italian waitresses. Sounds like my grandparents Sunday's.
(5)
Mike Z.

I usually have bad experiences eating at Italian restaurants for whatever reason, Al Dente definitely wasn't one of them. The food tasted great and the portions are huge! We had a party of 10 and all but one finished their plate of food. I ordered the Mussel Marinara for appetizer and their daily special Lasagna with Meatballs and Eggplant as my entree. I had to share my mussels because there was a lot! Even then, I couldn't finish my stacked, delish Lasagna plate. I tried my colleagues dish, the scallop wrapped in bacon and it was delicious - though there was only 7 pieces or so. They did not have desserts, which I didn't care for because everyone was already filled. The service was outstanding, the waitress was very nice and quick with our orders. She came back often to check if everything was fine. The menu selection was a lot smaller than what I expected. Most Italian restaurants that I went to had a lot more to choose from. I can't complain, the quality and quantity of the food was great. I'll be back!
(4)
Martie M.

A scrumptious, lively, memorable dinner! We ordered two pasta dishes, the gocchi with pesto and the farfalle with a roasted tomato-cheese sauce. The taste of both dishes was out of this world. We had such a fun dinner in part because our food was so delicious. We just kept talking about the food. Great service. Lively, smallish atmosphere. Highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)
Russ D.

Probably my favorite restaurant in Boston overall. A must stop every time I'm in town for that deliciousness that is Chicken Venesia. Mouth watering just thinking about it. Service has been impeccable every time. Friendly, prompt. Place is everything you could ask for. Huge portions that even fill me, which doesn't happen when I eat out. Perfect evening includes dinner here followed by Mike's Pastry for dessert and a relaxing stroll through the North End. Runs off to search flights to Boston on JetBlue......
(5)
Kevin W.

Alright, I have to increase the rating to this place. I like how the entire menu is available for take-out. I ordered both the Chicken Parm with linguini and linguini with chicken & Quattro Formaggio sauce. Both Excellent. The noodles cooked just right and both sauces and chicken were cooked to perfection, not dry but succulent and the sauce had lots of flavor, I'm a big fan of red sauce and this place had it going on. love it.
(4)
Alyssa F.

Plenty of room at the lunch hour, solid Italian. The overstuffed lobster ravioli in marinara cream sauce was sublime. I left food on my plate, a highly unusual occurrence, but there was just too much for me to finish.
(4)
Chris P.

Great Italian and not as expensive as the other Italian places in the North End. Awesome service too and no need for a reso on a weekday night.
(4)

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Address : 109 Salem St
Boston, MA, 02113
Phone (617) 523-0990
Website https://www.aldenteboston.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 10

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

Claim Restaurant

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

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Al Dente Restaurant

109 Salem St, Boston, MA, 02113

Al Dente Restaurant Menu

Appetizers

Salads

Pasta

Seafood

Chicken

Veal

House Specialties

Healthy Meal suggestions for Al Dente Restaurant

Appetizers

Salads

Pasta

Seafood

Chicken

Veal

House Specialties

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