Cantina Italiana
346 Hanover St, Boston, MA, 02113
Cantina Italiana Menu
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Lunch - First Course / Primi
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Lunch - Second Course / Secondi
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Lunch - Third Course / Dolci
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Dinner - First Course / Primi
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Dinner - Second Course / Secondi
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Dinner - Third Course / Dolci
Healthy Meal suggestions for Cantina Italiana
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Lunch - First Course / Primi
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Lunch - Second Course / Secondi
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Lunch - Third Course / Dolci
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Dinner - First Course / Primi
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Dinner - Second Course / Secondi
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Dinner - Third Course / Dolci
Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
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Address :
346 Hanover St
Boston, MA, 02113 - Phone (617) 723-4577
- Website https://cantinaitaliana.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 11
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet, Street, Validated
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 : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
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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P H.
My all time favorite restaurant. I can't say enough about this place. Valentine's, birthdays, and anniversaries are spent celebrating at Cantina. The food is simply scrumptious! We always ask for Lucy as our server. She is fantastic and knows exactly what we like. But really, all the servers are pleasant. It's a small-ish restaurant and not very fancy, but the food is freshly prepared and we're always happily stuffed when we leave. This is the place to go the next time you're in the North End trying to choose from all those Italian restaurants.
(5)Jessica A.
I spent $26 for my food and was very disappointed with my meal. I had the lasagna. It was not flavorful and tasted like someone simply defrosted it and served us. I went during the summer and the place was so warm we were sweating the entire time. We were very dissatisfied with our service so we gave the waiter a crummy tip. And he followed us out the restaurant and shoved it in our hand. That was very unprofessional! I do not recommend this place. It is an utter disappointment.
(1)Dawn B.
After reading the great reviews, we decided to make reservations for the 4th of July. Perhaps we should have known better when reservations were easy to get and the restaurant was only half full when we walked in. As other reviewers have remarked, the dining room is nothing fancy but it's comfortable and homey. We were seated in a booth across from two couples who were drunk and swearing at each other. Dinner and a show! The service was wonderful, the food however, was miserable. The list of what went wrong: 1. The caprese was not seasoned and the tomatoes were not ripe. 2. My pasta was undercooked--not al dente but so underdone I needed to cut it with a knife! The red sauce had no seasoning and I only had three little pieces of lobster. 3. The scallopini had no citrus flavor and no salt on the pasta. We won't return.
(2)Maryanne C.
I went in here for appetizers and a glass of wine this weekend. What a great place. Nice atmosphere, good food and amazing staff! I really enjoyed it
(5)Matt W.
Sure it's gaudy on the outside. I mean, come on, who would choose the flashing neon as their first choice on Hanover street. But the Italian cuisine is on par with the rest of the North End! This would be a good place to bring out of town guests who want the North End experience. This is by far NOT the best restaurant in the north end. That being said, it is still pretty darned good. I agree with Brenden. Whenever we go, we always enjoy it, but have a hard time figuring out why... maybe it's something in their water... The downside is making a reservation. Basically, it reduces your wait time by 5 minutes. Nothing pisses me off more than making a reservation, and showing up on-time, only to have them seat everyone who is waiting for a table before they seat you because they don't want to piss them off. Other than that... and the kind of pricey menu, it is just plain good. Recommended for: visiting friends and relatives who want a canned north end experience (finish with cappuccino and tiramisu at Cafe Vittoria). Not recommended for: Romantic first dates (even though this is the first "Boston date" I took my girlfriend (now wife) on. She married me so she couldn't have thought it was THAT bad.
(4)Lia D.
I came here for lunch with some co-workers while I was in Boston for work. Two of us ordered linguini with sauteed calamari, one person got a house salad with chicken (looked very fresh and he liked it a lot), one person got the chicken abru-something and he cleaned his plate. Yes, my meal was good, but I went into salt overload shortly thereafter. I must have had 3 gallons of water and I STILL had to take advil before I went to bed. I'd be interested to try other places next time.
(3)Roger H.
Love this place. Food is great. Decor is a bit dated. Had the Bonbolotti con Arogosto, which was incredibly good, though could have used a bit more lobster. Family had the lasagna and the chicken parmagiana, which were also great. Highly recommend.
(4)Ed P.
my wife is a huge fan of the cantina, i have more of a demanding palate specially when you are paying 20+ dollars for pasta dishes. regardeless, i have nothing bad to say about the place. i have had better homemade pasticcio for a fraction of the price. But as long as the wife is happy, i will most def go back.
(3)Clode D.
Per face: I'm Italian so I can tell if a pasta is authentic or not (this is the"not" case). I ate there with a party of 4 (all Italian). we all got different dishes and we complained about all of them! Food: awful! pasta missed salt, sauce was disgusting, even the lobster one! definitely overpriced for what you get Service: it was OK, attentive but not overwhelming. Reservations: uhm....we had one, the girl told us we had to wait a couple of minutes and then forgot about us and put us on the waiting list of people who didn't had a reservation...we ended up waiting around 30 min!
(1)Adam A.
This restaurant is a nice find and shouldn't be overlooked in the bustling North End of Boston. The attentive wait staff is friendly and knowledgeable; they make sure to ask appropriate questions in order to offer suggestions that may pander to your tastes. The atmosphere is friendly and food is prepared quickly. The wine is worth noting and the staff will often their own in house brands. Despite the need of upkeep and lack of attention to detail in areas like te restroom, the food is delicious and it really makes this place worth trying. Once again the staff is friendly and always makes sure to offer recomendations for the curious Bostonian.
(3)Deric M.
i hate to give 5 stars to somewhere i've only been once but the bombolotti alla buongustaia just might be the best dish of italian food i've ever had. i could have died.
(5)Judy D.
Worst Italian red sauce I have EVER had! No flavor and the dessert was even worse if that could even be possible! Good bread and salad, but that was about it.
(1)Stellina M.
Traditional North End Italian restaurant. It is well known and has a clientele that has been going there for years. The pasta is good, but I would avoid any fish dish. The kitchen is always well kept and clean.
(4)Alex B.
Went there last Saturday. To be fair, it wasn't my choice as I have little faith in finding a decent food in Hanover st tourist traps. But since the reservation was already made, I had to go along. Service was OK. Except that you had to wait longer time for waiter attention; to be fair, once again, the place was full. As for the food, appetizer was rather decent (hence 2 stars), but the lamb chops (of of the pricier items on the menu) were simply atrocious! Let me guess what they did to them: You start with a slightly spoiled parts; since they're obviously uneatable at requested medium rare, you cook them to at least medium-well-done. And to ensure you kill the taste, through in some rosemary and burn them from outside till the surface charcoaled. Bleah! And even that wouldn't kill the stink of meat! I really should have send it back! And it wasn't a flux; another party at our table ordered them as well, and had exactly the same comments. I tried salmon ordered by my friend; although not spoiled, it was mediocre to say least: very fishy and dry. Finally, yet another entrée, presumably made with porcini: maybe there was a single porcini mushroom in it, but it definitely didn't make it to this particular plate. Should I mention (the lack of) ambiance/decor? Avoid, avoid, avoid.
(1)Matt G.
What a great spot. I had the chef special. A steak with a raspberry demi glaze. It was one of the best steaks I have ever had. A month ago I went to Morton's and the food at Cantina was better!
(4)Kate M.
This is my favorite restaurant in the North End, by far. Prices are decent, portions are not too huge, and the food is perfectly seasoned. Bonus accordion player on the weekends! Try the Fusilli Quattro Formaggi, you won't be disappointed. Oh, and the desserts aren't bad, either--the ricotta pie was delicious here.
(5)Nancy C.
I had lunch here today with my friend Lisa. She got chicken parm and I had chicken, ziti, and broccoli. It was excellent! We were very happy. The servie was very good also.
(4)melinda j.
Ah, this used to be my favorite Italian restaurant in the north end! We're suckers for the homemade bombolotti, long wagonwheel noodles served with spicy Italian sausage and goat cheese, and the risotto mare, served with calamari, shrimp, and chunks of succulent crab meat.
(5)Erin B.
Mmm mmm mmm! This is one of my favorite lunch spots to hit up in Boston. I have never been disappointed when I come here. My favorite was the sausage/pepper/onion sandwich accompanied by a small mixed greens salad. My friend is always happy with his caprese salad too before his entree. I'll be back for sure!
(4)Laura M.
My boyfriend and I went into the North End one night just looking for something good to eat, but at some place we never have been to before. We ended up picking Cantina Italiana. which was a very good choice. I'm not going to lie I was a little turned off by the neon sign outside. My boyfriend didn't seem to mind...maybe its a girl thing? I ordered the egg plant parm, but got the chicken parm which thank god was very good! I decided to eat it instead of waiting to send it back. I was a little aggravated that they did not get our order right, but it turned out to be a great night in the North End which a delicious meal.
(4)Meredith M.
Came here with my mom for dinner while visiting some colleges. Had tagliolini fruti di mare with the red sauce-AMAZING. I will definitely come back when I visit Boston again.
(4)Ann C.
the neon sign outside and the autograph memorabilia entrance sets you in a more traditional atmosphere. a lot bigger than other restaurants near by. pasta is great, but they dont' carry red pepper flakes (only hot pepper oil) and the dessert tray is so GOOD!
(4)Jessica G.
My daughter and I stopped here December 27, 2011. II give it a two because the service was terrible. I feel like the waiter, Fabio, disregarded us as soon as he saw it was only on e adult, one child (14) taking up one of his booths and my daughter was not hungry. (We just finished with a full day at Boston Childrens - and she did not have an appetite.) I ordered eggplant parm, a glass of wine, and a bottle of mineral water and the bill was $52 (with 20% tip). - The eggplant was warm - but not hot. The waiter basically dropped the food and ran. I had to wait to catch him to ask for parm cheese. The value is very low at this restaurant. Had my daughter felt better - or had it not been raining, we would have waited in line for Gaiccomo's or other. If the service had been better- I probably would have gratefully paid the $52 and returned someday. But service makes the difference. I noticed the large party behind me grunt a few times over this same waiter. Just know who to ask for - I don't know who that is....but perhaps these reviews will help us to know who to avoid and who to seek as your waiter.
(2)Chris P.
The service was horrible I went there on 10/17 and when I asked the waiter a question he grunted at me and when I said excuse me he acted like he was mad at me for not understanding his grunts! I will never go back there again I don't go out to eat to be treated rudely! Avoid this place there are far better places to go in the North End.
(2)michelle w.
Can't miss this place with the bright pink and green neon sign! Food was ok- I had the eggplant parm, which is a dish that I don't generally get because I love Italian seafood dishes. It was just ok, I've had better at other North End Restaurants. We were kind of annoyed by the fact that we had been forced to pay for the trip of gentlemen trying to seranade us.
(3)Matt P.
Great food, north end prices but small place and a very limited bar.
(4)Gourmet G.
Open since 1931, this is one of the North End's oldest restaurants, offering Italian cooking that sticks to the basics. Start with an order of fresh mozzarella and sliced tomatoes with grilled crostini or fried calamari and hot cherry peppers, then move on to their pasta specialty, homemade bombolotti (wagon wheels) with either spicy sausage or sauteed lobster in marina sauce. The osso bucco, served on a bed of saffron risotto, and roast filet of salmon filet with a basil-aioli sauce, are superb. The friendly staff clearly takes pride in their work. Fans know this is one of the Bruins' favorite post-game hangouts. Personally, I couldn't even tell you what sport they play.
(4)Brenden L.
This place is one of my favorites in the North End though I can't place exactly why...its just good. Nothing overly exceptional or memorable but everythin here is really really...good.
(4)Bob H.
We had a great dinner at Cantina Italiana August 8, 2008. I recommend a pasta dish. We also enjoyed the least expensive bottle of Chianti ($25). The waiter Carlo made a big impression on my daughters (10,13). Carlo was also very enthusiastic about the menu. Overall a great family restaurant.
(4)jkhkjh j.
Very nice italian restaurant, one of the best in the North end. Great atmosphere; call ahead, the wait can be very long. Some of the entrees are on the expensive side, prices start at about 17+. The calamari appetizer is very good. There is not a full beer--only wine and a few beers.
(4)Ashley C.
I recently moved to Boston and this was the first Italian restaurant I went to. Food: Spaghetti allio Scoglio was decent. It was too watery, making it lack flavor. The cheese helped flavor it a little bit, but it still was just ok. Service: Good. Frequently walked by to ask if we needed anything and never failed to fill our glasses of water. There was nothing from dinner that wanted me want to come back here again. Would venture out to the other Italian restaurants in the North End.
(3)John B.
I've been coming to Cantina Italiana for years now. This has become one of our default standbys in the North End, especially when going out with family from out of town. We've rarely had to wait in line (which when you are dealing with family...) The food. It's certainly not nouveau, experimental or trendy. But it is a solid/consistent offering. It is tasty, traditional, flavourful stick-to-your-ribs Italian. There's something on the menu that will appease even the fussiest eaters (grandpas and little kids). I'm not Italian, but I imagine it's not far off from what someone's Italian grandmother might make for a Sunday dinner. The service is good. Waiters are knowledgeable of the menu, attentive and non-intrusive. It also helps that they throw on the thick Italian accent which adds to the experience of the meal. If you are looking for something more trendy, romantic or progressive menu wise; there are several good options close by. If you are looking for good solid traditional Italian fare, then this is worth the price of admission.
(4)Allison Y.
We visited Cantina Italiana per recommendation of AAA Tourbook. Cantina Italiana offers authentic classic Italian cuisine. Some entrees make use of local favourite ingredients, such as Littleneck clams. The food we ordered tasted good. The overall impression of quality was solid if average. Unsurprisingly, they made a good red sauce. The food was a bit pricey to me, though it might be because the cost of living in Boston is quite high. Alternatively, Cantina Italiana may indeed be over priced. I can't tell for sure, because I am not from local. I don't pay attention to reviewers who complained that the food was not contemporary. Cantina Italiana has been at a historic location since 1931. It makes sense that most customers, especially tourists, expect classic Italian food here. Let the new businesses on the block make up contemporary dishes.
(3)Claudia A.
This restaurant recommended by a local,makes it a best kept secret.Open on 1932 by a family from Avelline Italy.Wonderful food and ambience .Locally owned is a most visitTHE BEST TIRAMISU
(4)Michael W.
Ok so used to love this place, then hated it, after yesterday I love it again. The only criticism is that you should serve a caprese salad unless you have in season garden fresh tomatoes! The calamari was also pretty average but our entrees were excellent, the service was good and the price was about right. I had the Vitello fiore, the veal was tender and perfectly cooked. My oldest had the gnocchi and he loved it, everyone enjoyed their meals!
(4)G. B.
Excellent....make reservations you will not be disappointed. Very fresh authentic Italian food at its best. Fantastic professional service.
(4)Morgan D.
(October 24, 2014) Bad. Bad Italian. With no flavor. Over priced. Honestly, it was tough to find a place to eat in this part of Boston for lunch, and we sure did not pick a good one. We thought you cannot truly mess up pasta, but even the salt shaker on the table couldnt bring this pasta back to life. Service was awkward. Not sure if I would call this a tourist trap, but we felt trapped. Not much more to review. Hoping it was a bad day and we caught them off guard... but I wont be going back to find out!
(1)Eileen N.
I hope this passes the guideline for reviews so that people can read this. Last Friday night I invited my daughter and her very talented ball-player boyfriend (sorry can not say the team) to join me and my youngest daughter, who is only 4, by the way, out to an early (5:30) dinner in town (Boston). We decided to head over to the North End where a good hearty meal is pretty much guaranteed. We strolled along Hanover Street looking at menus and finally decided to go with and old stand-by...The Cantina. From the moment we entered the establishment I felt uneasy. The staff was staring at us. I had to take a second look at myself and my 4yr old to be sure we did not forget our pants or something...lol..seriously..it was that obvious. We all looked decent. Last time I had been there I did not recall a dress code. My daughters and I were in casual dresses and her boyfriend was wearing casual shorts (not sweats) and a nice short sleeve shirt. The place was completely empty except for one family of 5 at a table in the main dinning room. I did not look long enough to see the dynamic of the group.I was too hungry to care. We approached the hostess and asked for a table for 4. Was this rocket science? Was this question so difficult that she had to run and get the manager (possibly owner)? Apparently it was...lol the two of them stood there flipping the seating book pages back and forth for a good ten mins before they decided where to us in their empty establishment. She (the hostess) led us to a table in the back dining room, again empty, and sat us at a table that was closest to the kitchen door. In fact half of the booth was modified and made smaller to accommodate the swing of the door. The table was also set for two people. We stared at each other for a moment in total disbelief...What? was she kidding? We asked for another arrangement and she went back to the manager and then led us to a second table of the same size only without the modification. In disgust, we politely excused ourselves and left. What was the problem with us? We were clearly not vagrants, low -lifes, or a mess in body odor...why would they not give us a proper table? Why were we given the cold shoulder? I was baffled. At this point we all just wanted to eat. So we walked up a block to Fanchesca's and were seated at a beautiful window seat overlooking Hanover street. The waitress was rude and obnoxious, but the food was good and the table was plenty roomy enough to accommodate us. So what was the deal with Cantina? I can not say for sure, I can only guess. I pondered the thought that maybe they had reservations for every single other table in the place, or they were expecting a huge influx of large parties. Still, it was only 5:30pm and we had a 4 yr old, how long could we possibly stay? I think we spent less than an hour in Fanchesca's. Thats about all my little one can take sitting still. Then the light bulb went on!!!! I took another good look and us and realized what the problem must have been and it made me want to vomit up my $36 Cod dinner. My daughter's very handsome, smart, funny, talented, clean-cut, and kind hearted boyfriend is black. That very thought in my head made me choke back tears and want to go back and give them a piece of my mind. I will NEVER, EVER even look at that place ever again. What are they in the dark ages? I have lived in Boston all my life, my daughter has been seeing this young man for almost two years. We have never been so poorly treated. I suppose there is an odd chance I may be wrong and there is a logical explanation, but I doubt it. I can not stop anyone from patronizing this dump. The food may be good, but you will eat it at what price? Well, you won't see me or any of my family anywhere near this place.
(1)Kristen S.
The food was creative and delicious. I found the service to be spot on. The prices were reasonable. The ONLY reason I am giving this restaurant 4 stars is because of the noise level. I could not even hear my friend across the table talking. I don't mind a busy restaurant, obviously, but the noise level was the equivalent of a packed bar at 1am. I have to say the tables felt private though, but if you're looking for a romantic date restaurant this would not be it.
(4)Philip M.
My partner and I found this place while walking the Freedom Trail in Boston. We wanted good Italian for lunch but many places charged the same price for lunch and dinner. This place had reasonable lunch prices and a charming atmosphere. We arrived at 145pm on a Friday so there were only a handful of people seated. We ordered the calamari appetizer and it was delicious. Fresh with good seasoning. My partner ordered the chicken parmigiana and I had the pizzeta Quattro stagioni. Both were excellent! The best pizzas are made with farina from Italy and this tasted like it was made with that key ingredient. The crust was thin and crisp, the kind that results from a terra cotta oven. Antonella was our server and was excellent! A very pleasant lunch experience!!!
(4)Chris M.
Oddly, about the foremost reason my companion and I swung by Cantina Italiana was time. We were about to catch a plane to Portugal (the Azores to be specific), had about three hours before takeoff, and right within out immediate field of vision was Cantina Italiana. In hindsight, I am glad we did. Coming from the West Coast, great Italian restaurants aren't easy to come by, especially in the Pacific Northwest. I don't remember the name of my dish, but the sauce was tomato-based, the pasta homemade, and the protein a combination of all the high-end stuff that comes out of the ocean--scallops, lobster, some whitefish. Although it was more than I should have eaten, letting something so delicious go untouched would have been criminal. Ditto for my companion's wild mushroom risotto. Our dessert sampler was awesome. Our waitress forgot to bring my amaretto, which wasn't a big deal. But as I exited the restaurant she yelled for me to come back, and pushed a very generous shot in front of me, compliments of the house. Now that is service! Just go.
(5)Patrick M.
Made our second visit to this old school Italian joint in the North End and it was a very good meal. Our waiter Sal did a great job and we like the old school atmosphere from Max on the Host stand to the decor. But we really come here because it's very good food and not a snooty, stand in line, hipster joint with hundreds of tattoos and attitude. Hat tip to the kitchen for turning out a very good dinner. We will be back.
(4)Emily C.
This place was one of very few restaurants in the North End still seating for Friday night dinner service. Need I say more? The food was pretty unremarkable, which was sad because the prices were not (average price of $13 per appetizer, $20+ per entree). We ordered three appetizers to share: Crostini e Gamberi Calamari Fritti Meatballs All three were quite bland. The calamari was not crispy and the vegetables that came with the crostini were a bit greasy. I have had better meatballs heating up frozen ones at home. Our waiter attitude was also not very welcoming. I don't think he smiled even once, and his tone of voice was quite curt. I have been to many restaurants around Boston, and this was one of my most negative experiences with a wait staff. Looking at other peoples' reviews, it seems like this place has a pattern of being discourteous to customers. Overall, nothing remarkable. There are better options in the area.
(3)Kristen M.
I have been going here since I was little with my family. They always have good food. The service is always good. This place is the best for good quality Italian food that does not feel too fancy. I think this might be the oldest Italian restaurant in the north end? It's because it has amazing food and good service. It is NOT the hippest place around but when I'm eating a huge bowl of pasta, that's preferable!
(5)Gigi E.
We were greeted by Max (Maximilian), the owner. Rather than sit in the dining room, we asked to sit at the only table by the window at the bar. He cordially agreed and we asked for recommendation for a light evening meal. First he brought a wonderful red wine blend (not on the menu-yum!). He suggested few different options (crostini, aged beef with arugula, and caprese); then we said perfect, one of each. All I can say is we loved all three, making yummy sounds and fighting for the last bite of each. I can't even describe the fabulous dessert sampler - wow! Great service, great food, relaxed atmosphere. 5**
(5)lawrence W.
Food was just ok. Service could use some help. Went for lunch and was seated fairly quickly in an empty restaurant but after that it was like pulling teeth to get our food order in. After placing a drink order it took them close to 20 minutes to bring them out. Won't recommend.
(2)Alisha W.
Everything here is authentic and excellent! The Fettuccine Alfredo is by far the very best I have ever had! The Red Sangria is incredible, as is the Tiramisu. We specifically come to the North End to eat here and it's never been disappointing!
(5)Jhubin M.
So I'm sure that this isn't the best Italian food you can get in Beantown, but it is easily the best Lasagna I have ever had; and I have eaten my fair share of lasagna! They don't have a full bar, but have an array of different drinks that you can enjoy. The Mrs and I had an amazing meal that didn't break the bank. Would highly recommend this place.
(4)Joshua G.
Went to Cantina Italiana with friends that frequent the restaurant. They love the food and atmosphere! I can now say I agree! The atmosphere is homey and cute:) definitely an Italian feel. The servers were all very friendly and helpful! The servers also knew the menu well and my water glass was never empty!( always a good test of a restaurant ). Drinks were great but a bit pricey. I had a Red berry spritzer with fresh muddled lime and Red berry Ciroc Vodka. It was excellent but was $14. My partner had a lemon-cello martini that was excellent and was $ 12 . We had a house special anti pasta with roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, olives, prosciutto and a special Mozzarella cheese that was creamy on the inside. It was excellent! ( I believe it was burrata mozzarella). For my main course I had Eggplant and a side of Asparagus. The Eggplant was thinly sliced breaded and layered. Topped with Cheese. It was excellent but small. It did not come with pasta. ( not sure if that's the norm ) The sauce was very light and had a nice flavor! The asparagus was grilled and seasoned well! Over all I would say Cantina Italiano is an excellent Restaurant that anyone would enjoy! I will definitely return and I recommend you try it!
(4)Lauren H.
The food here is out of this world, and our server was hilarious. We wanted to take him home with us. We were in a rowdy mood, being on vacation and all, and he was right there with us joking around. Came in for lunch and it was pretty dead. I'd have to say this was not our first choice of places to eat, but I'm so glad we ended up here. Most of the other restaurants were closed I'm guessing because no one comes to the north end for lunch on a monday. The decor is definitely a little outdated and could use some freshening up. The bathroom smelled like someone died in there. They need one of those wall air fresheners most restaurants have. The place doesn't look that gourmet at first glance, but the food comes out looking like it came from the highest end gourmet restaurant in the nicest part of town. Plating is fabulous, and the taste is even better. I settled on the Rigatoni with broccoli and chicken. It was in a white wine cream sauce. Oh. My. God. My taste buds were dancing. The wine in the sauce just took it to another level. The pasta tasted home made. I could sing about this pasta it was so good. The chicken marsala was also excellent if that is your go-to dish. The chicken parmesan also stood out. The tomato sauce had that extra kick of amazingness, and the cheese was baked on perfectly. If I had a dollar for every time someone said, "you HAVE to go to ________ in the North End and get a cannolli" I would be rich. So we had to try to cannoli here. Again, the plating was fantastic. The cannoli itself fell a little short. It was unique and had a hint of lemon in the creme, but otherwise it was kind of meh. I'm dying to come back here and have the food again, but alas I will have to wait until next year when we visit family again. So... please go so that I can live vicariously through you. :)
(5)Paige C.
Okay so my parent and I tried this place because some friends of our highly recommended it . There are soooo many cute places to dine in the North End and this one did not exceed my expectations . sadly. It was more the ambiance I did not care for especially when comparing it to some of the other restaurants in the area. They had cold bread and not super impressed with the menu . But I also need to say I don't crave Italian food but know there are some perhaps better options in the north end. However .... Our waiter was so great and we still had a good time .
(3)Chris L.
I can't speak for the quality of the food, but I can comment on the exceptional service I received at Cantina Italiana. My family and I stopped in here for a few drinks before our reservation time at another restaurant in the area (is that bad...?). While we were slightly cramped near the bar with a number of guest who had the same idea as we did, the atmosphere was pleasant. Our bartender was quick with our drinks and wasn't offended by our lingering in the doorway of the restaurant. I was quite surprised that the wait staff didn't get offended by our reluctance to making ourselves too comfortable. They were incredibly understanding of our casual stay at the bar. This type of patience and service can be hard to find in the North End, and I commend the staff here on their phenomenal appreciation for the customer. Because of this alone, I plan on returning to Cantina Italiana and hopefully enjoying a meal here!
(3)Dr D.
The food is okay but it is very overpriced. I had Lesagne, which was pretty good, but not worth $28. My wife's seafood pasta was mediocre with overlooked seafood. They are very good at trying to upsell, to the point where it becomes a bit over the top. If it was half the price I would consider going back, but it isn't good enough to warrant the premium prices.
(3)Bernadette S.
Rewind ten years, to a time when I was a young college student in Boston on a date with my boyfriend. We found Cantina Italiana using some restaurant review site that predates yelp and whose name I can no longer remember. Cantina was highly rated, so we checked it out. Well, on that date, we had a pretty damn fabulous meal. And so it became one of our favorite date spots. When we moved back to NJ, we regularly took road trips to Boston to dine at Cantina. Then we moved to Chicago and had not dined there for six years. This is going to sound dramatic, but I literally craved Cantina's pasta. I've compared every Italian restaurant since to a Cantina, and none tops it in my book. Their pasta is so fresh and their sauces so tasty. Is this the best Italian in the world and about to win Michelin stars? No. But it is definitely my favorite in my book. Maybe it's the sentimental value that elevates it, but this is truly my favorite restaurant. Back to present day, my husband took me up to Boston to celebrate our anniversary. Saturday night's reservations: Cantina Italiana. (Btw - reservations are a must here on the weekends, otherwise, be prepared to wait in a cramped bar) The restaurant still has the same tacky neon sign outside (which to my disappointment, was not on), and the same old-fashioned decor (not in a trendy vintage-y way either), and same old booths with odd spindles at the top. I suspect this place has never seen a make over - and I kind of hope it never does. We ate mussels and calamari for appetizers. They were just as good as we remembered. The mussels are in a great light red sauce, which is perfect for dipping bread. The calamari is tender and has a bit of spice packed in. We had homemade bombolotti pasta dishes for dinner. I enjoyed the one baked in a red sauce with spicy sausage and goat cheese (my favorite!) and my husband had a whole bunch of seafood. It was absolutely delicious! I'm eagerly awaiting my next trip to Boston, so we can once again feast at Cantina.
(5)E F.
Excellent!! 'nuff said!! Had Lasagna al Forno, meatball appetizer, lobster pasta, shrimp with wild mushrooms in a Marsala sauce. I don't remember the exact names of the dishes... it was all great!
(5)May C.
Fantastic. My boyfriend and I intended to go to another restaurant that was across the street. But it had a ridiculously long line that went around the block so we decided to give this restaurant a try. And boy did we make the right choice! We walked in at just the right time. A couple just left and it only took two minutes for us to get a table. The atmosphere is great. It's very dim in the restaurant but very cozy. Food is also delicious. Really amazing actually. I got the Pollo Abruzzese and my boyfriend got a broccoli rabe and sausage pasta dish. Mine was really good, but I loved my boyfriend's dish and so did he. I usually hate broccoli rabe, but it tasted soo good in his dish. Service is spectacular as well. It was a packed house, but our server did everything out of his way to cater to our needs. We never waited too long for anything. Has a great sense of humor too. Overall, 5 star quality and I will definitely be back when I'm in Boston again!
(5)Stephanie B.
This restaurant was recommended by a friend. Although I trust her, my initial impression was eh. The atmosphere was so outdated and dull. The booths were so tacky - not at all inviting. I was with a fairly large group and I wanted to leave but they didn't. With that said we had a really nice time and the food was pretty good. The menu was just okay. The wine list was pricey. The service was very good and overall we all enjoyed ourselves. I disagree with the $$ I'd say more like $$$.
(3)Kurt S.
Tried to go to Giacomo's but the line was around the corner. We had been to Cantina Italiana before and it was pretty good. This place seemed empty on a Friday night but we found out later that the back section was pretty full. They should seat people towards the front to give the impression that it's crowded. Others in my group enjoyed their meals. I got the Bombolotti alla Buongustaia. It wasn't bad, not as flavorful as I expected it to be. The homemade pasta was good. Wish I had gotten the Chicken Saltimbocca like the last time I came. Not a bad option if the most popular places are full.
(3)Michelle H.
This might be my favorite place in the North End (and that's saying a lot). We typically sit in the bar, so I can't say too much about their table service, but the bar service is always fast and friendly. The food is the most important part though and it's amazing! The beef carpaccio with goat cheese is to die for and they usually have great app specials too. Their pasta is consistantly good, especially the lasagna. Skip the line at Giacomo's and go across the street to Cantina!
(5)Paul L.
Went to this place july 4th with my family who came from the west coast. We chose this place because the good reviews, some bad, but the extensive menu to choose from. I got the mussels and spaghetti pasta and it was amazing! I had at least 20+ mussels and amazing light red sauce with fresh tomatoes. My parents had an amazing spinach salad and macaroni. The shrimp and spinach salad is a must order here :) Great food, nice place and great server. The decor is nice but yet again, the decor doesn't make or judge how your food taste :)
(5)A Ne D.
Delicious!! Best eggplant !! The host was able to get us in right away even though they were super busy. The waiter was great! He was very quick and efficient!
(5)Meredith F.
Gotta say I couldn't really find anything to criticize at this place. We stopped in on a hot summer day and they had plenty of seating and air conditioning. The menu was standard, interesting, and had enough fairly-priced lunch options. I had spaghetti with calamari in a plum tomato sauce (I prefer marinara but the plum tomato sauce was actually fine) and my boyfriend had baked rigatoni with sausage and goat cheese, which he also enjoyed. Server was friendly and let us switch seats after one of the seats was saggy. Lunch was good, prices were very normal. Yum!
(5)Mel B.
I had no problem with the food. The food was decent. However the manager was extremely rude and unprofessional. There was a queue that day and a few guests cut in front of us and we let Sarah know. She scoffed at us and turned the other way. I talked to her once again and and let her know I was upset. She basically told me off and said that it wasn't exactly her problem. I'm probably never coming here again just because of her.
(1)Bill L.
Lucky night #2 in the north end, we walked in and found two open seats at the bar. Lucky for us they served dinner at the bar. We decided to ask about pizza since that's what was on my palette. Started with a bottle of wine and LJ had her usual vodka with pink lemonade. We ordered a Caesar salad to start us off and was told by the bartender to order the pizza quickly if we wanted one. Service was good at the bar and everything flowed nicely. Good atmosphere and steady customers coming thru, I'd recommend the place for sure!
(4)Dawn I.
We hosted an Italian girl for a few weeks this summer. On a Friday we found ourselves in Boston and she inquired about how Italian the north end is. We walked around - checked out some grocery stores, and misc stores and also looked at all the menus posted outside for our inspection. She chose this restaurant for dinner. We decided to eat early as to miss the evening crowds. We did not need reservations. We were greeted warmly. As soon as our student started speaking Italian we could tell our server was excited. Piero was the best. He tried to subdue his hands, but as soon as he realized he was among friends, he let his hands go. We started with the bread and oil. The oil was the best I have ever tasted. Very light but flavorful. Not olive tasting at all. Found out that the Chef changes the brand of olive oil every month highlighting a different region or city. Caprese was next in line. Very fresh and tasty. For the main course we had Cavalitti Quattro Fromaggio, Gnocchi Boscaiola, and Lasagna al Forno. All very very delicious. The red sauce for the lasagna was to die for. I love my sauce recipe but this one makes me jealous. Piero was always attentive making sure our drinks were full and we had enough utensils to share our meals around the table. The atmosphere does seem a bit dated - but that's old world charm. We felt like family. We did watch Piero with other customers just in case it was because of our student that he was this way. I assure you, he was this good to everyone I could see. We did top off our dinner with dessert. Lemon ice served in a lemon "skin" was perfect. Very refreshing. The tiramisu was also very good. We plan on making this our go to place when in town.
(5)Robert H.
Well, a Two means that I wouldn't go back, and I wouldn't, but it is sort of a tough score, it was by no means terrible. Although I have lived around Boston all my life, I have done very little North End. Thus we sallied forth, live yelping on the new Smartphone. Cantina, and several other places close by, Yelped a 3.5 or so on many reviews, so we gave it a shot. I knew when I started on this North End journey that I would be looking at paying more money than usual, but seeing as this area is supposed to be the Mecca of italian food, I didn't mind. The thing is, it was not a mind blowing experience, not even close. DRAFT BEERS: 3 STARS Bass, Harpoon IPA. MIXED DRINKS: ZERO STARS Beer and wine license only. Come on City of Boston, does this really look like the sort of place where folks are going to sit there and get biffed ? APP SPECIAL: 3 STARS Roasted red peppers and artichokes quite good. Cheese of some sort rather plain. Ridiculously over priced at $ 16. CHICKEN PARM: 2 STARS She was very disappointed. She said the sauce was ultra plain. Again, I think we had rather high expectations. CHICKEN ABRUZZE: 3 STARS. Both our pastas were absurdly al dente. The Abruzze was OK, not a bad dish by any means, but unimpressive. We can get chicken parm at Sonny's in Dorchester for eleven bucks. It could feed two people. It comes with a big honkin salad. It tastes great. What I was looking for here was a different sort of experience, where I would say " Now THAT was a cut above, CHEFS prepared that there". I wonder is this indicative of other nearby establishments. Are these places geared towards suburbanites driving in town for food superior to that in their home towns ? Or are these places geared towards soaking tourists, a one and done "gotcha".
(2)Nina P.
Review is based on the bar experience only. Tom is consistent at providing proactive customer service to locals and out of town guests alike. He is quick, witty, and attentive. I only wish I could say the same for the restaurant or management. I hope they know how lucky they are to have him and how much customers value being able to experience Cantina with Tom. PS: stop in for the Torta Amaretto and smile and smile and laugh with Tom!
(5)Julie R.
I am fortunate to be able to spend 2 weeks in Boston every year. I've tried nearly every restaurant in the North End, but this is the only place I make sure to visit every year, usually at least twice. Best food and great service. See you in a couple of weeks!
(5)Kurt C.
A great place for "true" Italian food with great service. The serving staff was professional, attentive, and timely. Every dish served was tasty, plentiful, and hot to anybodies liking. The environment was quite enough to carry on a decent conversation without any distractions or interruptions. The only challenge throughout this whole dining experience was the lack of parking. However, the quality of food made up for this, along with the company, and good wine. If you are truly a fan of Italian food, and want that good home meal feeling try this place out, you will not be disappointed.
(5)Greg J.
Found this spot while traveling to Boston for a wedding. The atmosphere had a old world charm. I was there late on a Sunday night so it was very quiet but the waiter was very attentive. I ordered the seafood special which featured swordfish, muscles, shrimp, and clams over bombolotti and a red sauce. They provided generous portions of swordfish. The pasta itself was a bit heavy and overwhelming so I mainly focused on the fish. I would recommend this place to anyone traveling to the North End of Boston.
(3)Tori M.
Very good food and very friendly service. Love it here. I will be back next time im in boston.
(5)Julia L.
I made the mistake of venturing into the North End without a reservation on a Saturday night. We tried to go to 3 different restaurants and got turned away at the door because we didn't have a reservation. The other few places on my list had super long lines out the door and since it's freezing in Boston in the winter time, waiting outside was not an option. My parents have fond memories of eating at Cantina Italiana and so we walked over and found that there were plenty of empty tables. Not sure if there were seats because it's not a popular place to eat or because this place is larger than other restaurants and had more tables. But we were freezing and starving and decided to sit down at the first place that had a table and so here we were! The mozzarella caprese appetizer had imported fresh mozzarella cheese, plum ripe tomatoes and roasted red pepper drizzled with olive oil with fresh basil on top. This was a very refreshing appetizer and set the landscape for the meal. Even though this wasn't on the menu, I saw the lobster ravioli as an accompaniment to one of the meat dishes and so I asked the waiter to ask the chef if he could make me an main entree of just the lobster ravioli. Luckily, the chef was willing to accomodate my picky eating habits. The ravioli dish was alright. It wasn't horrible but it wasn't spectacular. The pasta didn't taste home-made. The bombolotti con aragosta is a home-made pasta tossed with shrimp and lobster meat in a plum tomato sauce with garlic and olive oil. This was Joe's dish. The bombolotti is a large tubular pasta, it was a little awkward to eat. There was a lot of shrimp and lobster meat which is always awesome. Overall, the meal was good for people looking to get out of the cold but it wasn't the best pasta of my life.
(3)Delilah H.
Kool bar for a beverage!
(5)Jordan N.
By far the best experience with dining I've ever had. Our waitress was more than helpful and very knowledgable with the history of the restaurant. Traditional traits and professionalism was top notch!
(5)Paige O.
Amazing! We went here for the day after Thanksgiving and loved it. The food was amazing, the staff was friendly and the overall atmosphere made you feel like you were right in Italy! Now to the drinks and food, we had a delicious bottle of a Chianti Classico Riserva a little pricey but worth it. Appetizers ranged from the calamari, shrimp, cheese platters, meatballs and were amazing. The dinner was absolutely delicious. Our table of 9 enjoyed a mix of spaghettis, eggplant parmesan, gnocchi, linguine and clams and everyone devoured their meals. I am already thinking of the next time I will be going here!
(5)Kristina F.
I've had great experiences at Cantina. The north end can be a hit or miss and I'm Happy we found ourselves this little gem. It's old school traditional Italian - not like some of the more modern spots in the north end (which I too am a fan of). But Cantina is classic, reliable and delicious. Friendly staff and good food.
(4)Rebecca M.
My boyfriend and I went here based on a recommendation from a bartender at another bar in Boston. We were not disappointed! The place was packed but that makes sense for a Saturday night in Boston, the waiter took amazing care of us and recommended which dishes to get. We started off with calamari and an amazing bottle of wine. Both of our dishes were made with homemade pasta, and homemade sauce. All I know is this place is amazing, the staff great and I cannot wait to go back there again!
(5)Jillian M.
If I could give this restaurant negative stars I would. First off I would just like to say I have given them ample time to write back to me regarding my incident but they of course have not. My family and I went to dinner here on New Year's Eve, which I get is a busy night. We made reservations and were seated right away and our server came over to greet us. The 6 of us ordered drinks and my husband ordered a margarita. My husband after taking a sip noticed a black fly at the bottom of his margarita, how that is even possible we don't know! We waited about 10 minutes to find the server and let him know there was a bug in my husbands drink, he proceeded to leave the drink with the dead fly in it on the table for 20-25 minutes while he got a new one. This is completely unacceptable in my book, my husband was nice enough to say quietly to him that there is a bug in his drink and you leave it on our table for us to stare at for 20-25 minutes to get a new one? Then our server proceeds to take our order, mind you the margarita with the fly is still on the table during all of this! Just what we all want to be staring at 30 minutes later our meals come and I had ordered the Cavatelli Quattro Formaggi and he brought me the eggplant parm. He then asked what I ordered and I told him the baked ziti since I couldn't remember the exact name and then brought over a menu so I could point out which one I ordered which again was the baked ziti/ Cavatelli Quattro Formaggi and then proceeded to tell us that he thought I said eggplant. I should not have to "point out" which item I chose, I know what I ordered and he should not have questioned it. While my family got to dine on their entrees I had to wait another 20 minutes for mine to arrive and by then they were already halfway done if not already done. We were over dinner and did not order dessert but it was shocking to see on our bill was the margarita and my meal. If there is a BUG in someone's drink and it takes 20-25 minutes for you to get that customer a new one, there is absolutely no way that we should have paid for that! I get the meal since I did end up eating it but come on we were nice enough to not make a big deal of it and waited forever for a new one the least you could do is comp a drink or offer a free dessert... something! And of course to top it off I sent the restaurant an email the beginning of January and never heard back from them... shocking! Definitely would not recommend this place to anyone!
(1)Mattias L.
I'm meriting three stars for the food. We didn't get service after sitting down for 15 minutes. No water, no bread, not even a hello. Then, the server wrote down a $20 tip for himself expecting us to pay it. I didn't appreciate that very much.
(3)Tom S.
We had dined a little place around the corner in Boston's Little Italy. We were looking for a place that had a bar so we could have a glass of wine. It's amazing, but most of the restaurants there don't have a separate bar. We saw Cantina Italiana and stopped in at the bar. There were several of the locals there, having dinner at the bar. They convinced us to try the pasta, so we ordered it. It was amazing! Our bartender was fun, energetic and right on the ball as we ordered wine. Wish we had known about this place before we had dinner. Now we know. Our next trip will definitley include dinner here.
(5)Robin O.
8 of us had a wonderful evening -- 3 kids, 1 teen, 4 adults. Our server Noel was fabulous from start to finish, including accommodating our gluten and soy-free needs and splitting a full adult portion of a dish between two kids. We asked for a wine recommendation, and he recommended a wonderful Chianti on the lower end of the price range which was wonderful. Grilled shrimp came out a little later than other dishes, and was promptly comped without us even asking. Relaxed, attentive, friendly, responsive service throughout. And the food was uniformly very good, ranging from frutti di mare to gnocchi with wild mushrooms and prosciutto to lobster and shrimp. We recommend Cantina Italiana highly.
(5)Brad M.
Really good!! A little salty for my California palate but that happens to me often. I wish I could pronounce let alone spell the dishes. My wife had the home made pasta with broccoli robe and a light cheese sauce. Really good and lighter than my backed wagon wheel pasta with home made spicy sausage. Everything was really good, wait staff was very friendly and knowledgeable
(3)Joseph F.
This place was excellent. The service was fantastic, the food came in nice, large portions, the restaurant was clean, and the overall atmosphere was a joy. The chicken parmigiana was the best I've ever had. Also, a good place to watch a world cup game or two. This is a true representation of little Italy
(5)Majkol M.
Went here last night for dinner and had Omar as our waiter, first; Omar was an amazing waiter and knew everything on the menu and was very accommodating and second: food was amazing definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for good traditional Italian good.
(5)Margriet K.
The food was good, but the waiter was very rude. He didn't ask us what we wanted to drink, he just offered water, nothing else. After our main course, he didn't ask if we wanted a desert, he just picked up the plates and said he would bring us the check. The manager of the restaurant tried to save our evening to give us the diner for free, but the evening was already spoiled. We paid for the food and left the restaurant. We will never return to that place again.
(2)Collins F.
This is the best Italian restaurant I have ever been to. Our party of four was actually trying to go to another restaurant that was across the street, but the wait for that restaurant was ridiculous. We saw Cantina Italiana and figured we would try, especially since two of us had already been to the other restaurant. We were stunned by the attention from the staff and the quality of the food. This place is amazing and worth visiting. You will not get better Italian in the North End.
(5)Mark M.
The review would have been four stars if the main course was as good as the salad and bread. The chicken reminded me of school food, rubber texture. The pasta was ok but the sauce was not to my liking. Nice service and atmosphere. If you like salad and bread only this place is for you. One more note, not a full liquor license if a nice cocktail is important to you.
(2)Richard H.
We walked in on a Saturday night at 5:30pm and Cantina Italiana was empty. Initially we took this as a bad sign, but the place slowly filled up. The interior feels a bit old and dark, with booths out of the 70's, but it carried a homestyle Italian restaurant vibe complete with local teens bending over backwards to fill your water glass. The menu was your typical Italian fare at a moderate price for the North End. A large bread basket -practically two whole loaves - is consistently refilled as a traditional Italian restaurant should. I ordered an equivalent to Chicken, Broccoli, and Ziti (around $20), which I found a bit bland. It wasn't bad, but I felt it had been sitting for a while. The others in my party ordered lasagna, which looked good, and a daily seafood special. The seafood special featured a mix of clams, shrimp, and a lobster tail over pasta for a good value, especially for tourists visiting the city and looking for local specialties. I'm not sure if I would return unless I were forced back due to long lines elsewhere. If I'm looking for a tired homestyle Italian restaurant, I'd prefer a cheaper option in the suburbs where portions are large and you can quickly get the staples at a good price. Couples take note: tables to the right as you walk in and adjacent to the street are more romantic than the large rooms in back.
(3)Michael M.
2nd time here. Disappointed. Want to know if the food is going to be amazing at an italian restaurant even before you order? Try the bread. The bread is THE sentinel sign of a great italian restaurant. The bread here........marginal. Plain. Olive oil. No spices. No balsamic. No butter. We should have left! Veal was not great. Marinara was marginal. It's North Beach and we chose......wrong.
(2)Cristina C.
I stopped in one Sunday while at the feast, for drinks and apps with my gal pal. We had a nice time and had some awesome margaritas make by Michael. We sat right at the bar and enjoyed some sititng time before heading back out to the feast area. It was a good time. Def a place to go if you're in the North End.
(3)Kim B.
Greg and I went out to eat in the North End for a date a while ago. He really wanted to go to Providence, because it was "closer", but I pushed through for Boston, and I am glad I did! After taking the LONGEST possible way to get there (Greg didn't know as much as he should of for how to get there), Greg was just hungry and wanted to go some where without a line. On a Friday night, with no reservations, this is usually implausible. I really wanted to go to somewhere based on a reccomendation, but proximity overruled. We chose Cantina Italiana, and had a decent meal. Inside, it was a little cramped and crowded, not leaving much room between tables or for walking. Greg got the Chicken Parm, and I got the meat sauce. The food was your basic Italian, but I wouldn't say it is anything special. It definitely isn't food that screams out "homemade Italian" as many other places in the north end do. I will say the service, and staff were all extremely friendly and attentive, and you could really feel the "family" restaurant vibe. The manager was also going around to every table to ensure a good meal. I would definitely go back to eat on a last minute trip, or maybe just to experience good service, but it certainly is not the best food in town.
(3)Heidi H.
Amazing food great service. Friendly, knowledgable staff. The homemade sausage and pasta is amazing not to mention the sauce!
(5)Andrew E.
This is a very good Italian restaurant. The chicken Parmesan was done just right - lots of flavor with the right amount of breading. My wife's risotto was excellent and my parents' Pollo Gino was fantastic. We were all very surprised that this only had 3.5 stars; it should have at least 4 1/2. Highly recommend.
(5)Marissa S.
Delicious food, reasonably delicious but not amazingly delicious atmosphere, reasonably delicious pricing.
(4)Mike S.
I can't say enough about this place. we love it and go every trip to Boston. It could probably use an "update" on style but the food, drinks and service are always top notch for us. The meats and pasta dishes are made fresh to order and you can tell as the food melts in your mouth.
(5)charles l.
Ok, gals and guys...here we go again. Here's the bottom line. If you're going to charge $20 plus for a dish, which most of them are at that price, you better make sure it's damn good. The food ended up being passable. But at that price there are plenty of other restaurants in the North End that will blow your socks off like an Atomic Fart when you tighten your belt too much. On top of everything, the waiter got my order wrong (no problem ok) but then he blames me for the mistake! I told him clearly in Italian and I guess he had eaten one too many mozzarella balls to admit it. That waiter was about as handy as a back pocket on a shirt. So that's it people of the Bean. Another review from yours truly.
(2)Dee D.
This place is pretty good. The family owned joint had a nice group of waiters and the owner or manager (I can't remember who he was) came up and chatted with us and my parents of course loved that. Especially since my Mom is Italian. Everyone seemed pleased with the food. I don't eat wheat so I was limited with the pasta. I'm not a fan of Italian restaurants in general. So i'm picky with what is available on their menus. Cantina has a moderate sized menu. I ended up eating appetizer foods. The Sangria is made in house and pretty good, maybe too sweet but still tasty. We had a red wine too which i enjoyed. The Service was definitely on point and made you feel like you were in a nice place. They made everyone feel loved and tended too.
(4)Greg W.
Came here because there were lines at other higher rated places. It's not that it was bad - but it was probably just below average. Tried a few different items, not one impressed. The owner is actually Italian though, that's a plus I guess.
(2)Holly M.
Such a good choice for dinner!!! The homemade pasta is just the best :) Sal is such a great waiter!! He gave my mom and I plenty of choices and even helped me pronounce what I wanted to order :) Definitely going to go back here on my next trip to Boston!!
(5)Alan H.
Very underrated on yelp! If I had read the avg review rating before I went I would have never went there. Sooo happy I went. My wife and I stopped in for some wine and cheese and ended up having a delicious lunch! Wine was perfect, lasagne was excellent and service was on point. Far better than the avg rating on here!
(4)Mike C.
Stopped in for a late night dinner - was exactly what we were looking for. We both had the Bombolotti - which was recommended by the bartender. This was a tube shaped pasta with wagon wheel pattern inside. The dish was served in a small iron skillet with a nice sauce and thinly sliced sausage. Great flavor and spice. Hit the spot!
(5)Ashley P.
Not just for tourists! This place is the real deal. Authentic anyone of the oldest in the North End. It isn't some fancy new spot with sleek interior and lines out the door. Five stars for great service! The host was an older Italian gentleman with a great accent and even better mustache. He checked in with us constantly, calling us "Bella!" as we were seated and at one point asking "who is better than you? Nobody!!" The server was knowledgable and attentive. He suggested a reasonably priced wine and gave great recommendations. The house speciality is homemade Bombolotti pasta. Served al dente with excellent sauces. We got the appetizer special which included an incredible, creamy burratta mozzarella. Wow. Definitely worth a visit!
(5)Selena B.
No, this isn't the "nicest" place in the North End, but for food it sure is the B-E-S-T!~~ Chicken Rissotto, Chicken Saltimbocca and a Fruit Sorbet I will say no more - you be the judge.
(5)Giovanni O.
Came here while on a visit from New York. Great food, better service. A very at home feel.
(4)Lauren W.
I've had nothing but good experiences at this restaurant. This is a solid choice if you happen to find yourself wandering around the North End for dinner. The food is solid and the service is incredibly friendly. The drink menu isn't so shabby either- Pineapple mojitos? Yes please. The best thing about the Cantina Italiana is that even on a Friday night, and without reservations, I have never waited to be seated. Zero wait time is certainly worth that 5th star.
(5)Nahid L.
We were in town visiting and our tour guide recommended this restaurant. We didn't explore any other place and decided to eat here and see if it really is as good as the tour guide said it was. The service was good, they seated us quickly and got us some water. BUT the complimentary bread that they brought to the table was cold and this is THE first factor I use to rate a good restaurant especially Italian one...There was no olive oil bottle at the tables...the server brought a big bottle and poured some on a plate and took the bottle away so we had to ask for more oil when we ran out...disappointed with the bread and oil, we waited for our food. As they brought our plates, I noticed a short piece of hair on the edge of my plate...not on the food, just on the edge of the plate...I thought about rejecting the plate, but I've heard horror stories about restaurants messing with your food when you get a little picky (especially knowing you are not a local) so decided not to say anything. Aside from the sanitation issue, the food was ok but nothing exceptional.
(2)Julie J.
My family and fiancée ate at this restaurant one of the nights we were visiting Boston and I feel like we wasted a night coming to this place. The ambiance is just too busy and tiny which I would had been okay with if at least the service and the food would make up for it.... but it did not. The service was messy and forgetful. The food... you can have a better meal at home with something microwaveable. I ordered the bolognese thinking that its a traditional Italian plate and how can that go wrong? It definitely did! It had no taste to it. My fiancée had the florentine steak which was tiny, overcooked, and tasteless as well. The rest of the plates were equally lackluster and small for it being an Italian restaurant. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone who has ever dined at a "decent" Italian restaurant before because this was just not good at all.
(1)Tina J.
The appetizer was amazing. It consisted of fresh imported mozzarella, Italian meats. Unfortunately the rest of the meal was nothing special. The service was a little slow. The pasta and spicy sausage was served extremely hot. Hubby had lobster ravioli.
(3)Mark M.
Very good food and extremely friendly service by all the staff. Choose this for an early dinner to include my two-year-old son since is a family-friendly place. Omar is one of the best waiters in the North End (Carlo at Strega is #1!). Loved the almond cake recommendation for dessert.
(4)Frank C.
My wife & I took the kids into the North End for dinner hoping to have a great meal and keep it kid friendly. Cantina Italiana was our destination...we had a fantastic meal! Fresh made pasta was perfect, the app & dinner specials were outstanding as was the desserts. My 9 and 6 year old can be a handful around dinner time when hungry and our waiter Piero was AWESOME! Very knowledgable about the menu and wine, super friendly and fantastic with the kids! I will go back and ask for him again!
(4)Connie D.
We came here for lunch and weren't disappointed. We had lasagna and a sausage pizza. Both meals were tasty and portions were very large. Our server was attentive and friendly; her interactions with other guests suggest that she's worked here a long time. Prices were very fair for a full service restaurant and we had leftovers to take home for another meal. Would recommend this restaurant.
(4)Jonny C.
I like Italian food - but will rarely choose it as a going out dining experience because I can roughly approximate most Italian in my own cocina. .Questa è una polpetta piccante! However, sometimes when people are in town, and those people's last names end in vowels, you find yourself regrettably on Hanover street ordering a bunch of starch. E solo il modo in cui è This was pretty good, but not awe inspiring. Basic, simple, not particularly creative. Everything about it is very typical North End- the decor, the service, the food, etc. The gnochi was above average, but everything else was forgettable. Good, but forgettable. The real downside was the cost. Clearly not paying attention to menu costs (i never do) but lunch for two couples and a couple of drinks was $216. I was neither wowed by the food's excellence nor did we have leftovers. Just not worth $50+ a person for some pasta and a couple of glasses of house wine. Lascia perdere! *all Italian in this review courtesy of Google translate
(2)Ella B.
Came here based on the yelp reviews, then realized that a lot of them may have been from tourists... and what's not to like when you're traveling? lol... Unfortunately, we are not tourists and come from a place with really good food so Cantina Italiana was a sad disappointment. The service was great, very eager for a Sat. lunch crowd. Full bar, decent wine selection. I felt that our appetizer was a little cold when it came out. The hubs ordered a tomato sauce based dish and it tasted too sweet like ketchup, *sad face*. All in all, two glasses of wine, one app, two dishes, one espresso for a total of $85 with the tip. Again, great service, but not sure that I'd go back when there are so many other choices!
(2)Susan E.
We brought our 3 boys here last night. No wait for a table. Kids can be picky and our waitress was very helpful. My son wanted Alfredo which wasn't on the menu, but she said it would be no problem! Everyone enjoyed their meals which came out very quickly.
(5)Meridith H.
This is an absolutely solid spot in the North End. Like many other good spots, the food is well-executed and there is a solid wine list. What differentiates this particular restaurant (aside from the neon sign out front), are its perks, which are: Really friendly service. I was meeting friends here, and the host was expecting me. From the way I was greeted and escorted to my table, you would have thought I was a guest in someone's home. Cozy atmosphere that lets you maintain a private conversation. I don't know how they accomplished it, but color me impressed. And converse we did, well after the plates had been cleared and the bill paid. The trappings of fine dining without the snootyness; linen napkins, good glassware, highly trained waitstaff, and the ability to accommodate guests who fight through a snowy night in jeans and snowboots to get there. And last but not least, they take credit!
(4)T M.
The food is always great, the drinks are wonderful (try the watermelon martini), and the entire staff are first-rate! They make you feel like one of the family and attend to your every need. This is one of my go-to places anytime I have visitors in town or if I'm too tired to make dinner.
(5)Jeff F.
The only thing I've ever had here that I disliked was Linguine con Gamberi e Limone and that's not on the menu. If you're coming here, get the Bombolotti - doesn't matter if it's the Bombolotti alla Buongustaia and the Bombolotti con Aragosta or even Bombolotti with sauce - do it! - Bruschetta is simple and great like Carlos Cucina in Brighton Allston, - Caprese is solid - not the best in the north end, but solid - Mussels in their red sauce are ridiculous - must order - Anything with their fusilli is going to be a great call I'm officially putting this place on a once a monthly or bi-monthly rotation.
(4)Alyssa B.
Delicious, good service, and conveniently located. I lived upstairs from Cantina for 2 years and they are consistently busy. Their lasagna is my absolute favorite! The reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is that they have a bartender who is a total dud. He didn't say one word to my roommate or I the entire time we were at the bar, and acted like we were an inconvenience. Besides that, everything else is great!
(4)Christina M.
Great meal, lovely service. We had our 3 very lively kids with us and the waitress kept them in check. Really enjoyed the eggplant parm. Would definitely go back.
(5)Jasmin E.
Good menu selection and well priced. Sangria is delicious . We had the mussels and shrimp for appetizer, chicken Marsala and eggplant Parmesan for entree. The eggplant Parmesan was ok, the sauce is good but overall a bit dry. The place looks small in the front but extends and has extra seating in the back (not sitting next to each other, we had a booth). We didnt feel rushed and got seated within 20min of getting there without reservation. Total was $200 for 4 ppl, for 2 apps, 4 entrees, two sides, pitcher of sangria, 2 glasses of wine, and a dessert. Good deal for everything we got.
(4)Jenn V.
My friend and I went to the North End last night not realizing it was a feast night and many restaurants were packed. Not wanting to wait for an hour or more to get into some of her favorite places we stopped in at Cantina Italiana since it was one of the few places that had seating available at the bar and open to the street to enjoy the nice night. We should have know there was a reason it wasn't packed, too. It seemed a bit expensive but I was really hungry for some good food and their specials, both seafood, looked great. They were out of both but I was assured the chef could make me any Risotto I wanted yet everything I asked for he conveniently couldn't make so I ordered a shrimp and lobster pasta off the menu and my friend ordered calamari, plus cocktails. They served us bread and olive oil as starters. The bread was cold and not worthy of an Italian restaurant and the olive oil was bitter with no flavor or spices (Bertucci's does better with theirs). When our food finally arrived I was disappointed by the portion and quality of my food. $28 for some odd shaped pasta that should never be served with a wine sauce, 4 or 5 medium sized shrimp and a couple of bite sized pieces of lobster that probably didn't even equal a claw. Most of the lobster meat was minced so small it was lost in the sauce that couldn't be scooped up with the tube shaped pasta. My friend's calamari arrived after my pasta and was so anemic looking it didn't even look fried, though it was because it was so greasy it was inedible, so she sent it back. When we got our bill they had the audacity to tell us the manager had comped us for the calamari!! As far as I'm concerned it should have been deleted from the bill, not "comped" since it was inedible. All I can say positive is that the bartender was attentive, if a bit overly so, and the drinks were good. That wasn't enough to make me return, ever.
(1)R D.
Cute, medium-sized place in the midst of the North End. We took the Green Line to Haymarket and walked up to reach the restaurant. Upon entering to claim our reservation, a friendly gentleman greeted us in Italian and proceeded to speak Italian since he noted our Italian name, haha. The atmosphere was very comfortable and even slightly romantic even though not everyone there was on dates. The waitress was very welcoming and charming. Now on to the food. We had some calamari fritti for an antipasto, which was good enough but not excellent. For the main course, I ordered the pollo saltimbocca, which consisted of grilled chicken breasts topped with prosciutto and mozzarella, topped off with a marsala mushroom wine sauce. I thoroughly enjoyed my dish along with a side of pasta. If you see the saltimbocca on the menu, get it! My mother ordered veal parmigiana (I warned her not to because that dish can really be hit-or-miss). This did in fact turn out to be a mistake on her part. Her dish arrived with a piece of veal that could be compared to a pancake (size-wise and thickness-wise). She felt badly when the waitress asked if everything was ok but not wanting to offend our fellow Italian, she told her she was simply full and that was why she couldn't finish the plate. Even charming places like this that have some great dishes may sometimes fail once in a while so I would give them a pass this time. I would definitely come back since the service was great and the ambience was very welcoming, especially on a rainy night.
(4)K K.
Visiting Boston for the first time it was necessary to make a Mecca to the North End for some delish Italian. After some internet searching we decided to either visit MammaMaria or here- the owner of another restaurant suggested here so we went with that recommendation. I think we are somewhat spoiled already to "authentic Italian" since we are NYC natives. But nonetheless the food was delish, the service authentic, and the atmosphere genuine. The seating could use some updating but once I settled in I was able to enjoy a good meal with good atmosphere and nice solid staff. We had a lovely appetizer of prosciutto and fresh mozzarella/ricotta, artichokes & olives, a Caesar salad, the chicken with a Marsala wine sauce & mushrooms, fresh made gnocchi in a tomato cream sauce and the special which was a shrimp & lobster risotto. All was spot on. North End was as good as we were told and the ambiance was lovely.
(4)Eric R.
So, I have never eaten anywhere other then the bar. I have never ordered anything but the gnocchi in gorgonzola. I don't see anything wrong with either of those things. The gnocchi is to die for. It's handmade, and the gorgonzola sauce is spectacular. I eat there alone, so the bar is just fine. The bartenders are always nice, and if you go on a Tuesday, chatty. The food is great. The people are nice. The atmosphere is what you'd expect from the North End. A little kitschy but not tacky. I love it here and will go back every time i have a couple hours to kill, and noone to eat with.
(4)Seth F.
Great place. Definitely raising the expectation of the restaurants in the N. End of Boston. The risotto was spot on!
(4)Eric H.
Food and service were outstanding. All the pasta is homemade, and we adored the Tiramisu as well!
(5)Brian T.
Family Oriented Restaurant which has been around for FOREVER. I had the special and was very satisfied. it was worth the 15min wait.
(4)Fr T.
Horrible . . .. The place i had wanted to eat at had an extremely long wait so we decided on the restaurant across the street which was this one big mistake. Very Americanized the pasta was soft and mushy like it had been cooked the day before the waiter was not very nice when I asked him if the Mozzarella was fresh his response "no one uses fresh mozzarella." I'm from NYC and yes some restaurants use fresh mozzarella ! ! ! He didn't want to be bothered with my questions and rushed us out I was nearly done with my food was still eating and the waiter already cleared our dishes. With tons of other Italian restaurants on the block i would never eat here again it.I
(1)Vince M.
Met some new friends on a Sunday afternoon here. From beginning to end an excellent experience. Homemade Sangria, wonderful salads and entrees. Our waiter, Omar, arranged the appetizers and salads for sharing. All the entree's were finished and shared. A terrific Sunday afternoon.
(4)Matthew P.
We were in the need for a table to seat 7 on a Saturday Night in the North end and with no reservation (wasn't my idea). We checked several restaurants and put our names on the wait list for a few of them. Finally came up to Cantina Italiana and they said they could seat us in just a few minutes. Score. The wine list was good, naturally. Lots to choose from and with all different price ranges. We decided on a $35 bottle of red wine and it was pretty good. It took them a while at the beginning to take our order. We had a few servers, busers, and I think even the manager, before the task of working our table fell to an older gentlemen. The menu was extensive and very typical of a North End restaurant. The prices were also comparable (roughly $20 a plate). I decided to get the calamari for an appetizer and the gorgonzola gnocchi for my entrée. The calamari was disappointing. It wasn't as crispy as they had obviously tried to make it and there really wasn't much food on the plate; mostly garnishes. Now I'm obsessed with gnocchi and I have tended to stop getting it at places because no one can seem to do it right. That being said, I was pleased with the dish. The cheese was very rich and the gnocchi was freshly made. It almost melted on my tongue. I tried to save some for the next day but I couldn't help myself and ate it all. It could have been better, but after a few gnocchi disasters I have to lower my standards. There's nothing wrong with the place but there's nothing outstanding either.
(3)Joseph Z.
Coming from Brooklyn I had high hopes for this seemingly authentic old school restaurant. However, it seems that it pretty much relies on the tourist trade to push mediocre food onto customers they will probably not see again. My girlfriend had a rigatoni dish that was OK. My lasagna tasted like something that came right out of a frozen dinner. An overcooked spongy multi layers of noodles caked together with some flimsy cheese and sparkles of meat. Chef Boy-ar-dee does it better right out of the can. I liked the old school charm of the place. The staff was attentive and friendly. I do wish I had tried another place on my visit to Boston's north side.
(2)James C.
I went there with my gf and her father. We were visiting from NYC and it was recommended to us from a friend and our Frommer's book being rates at 4.5 stars. However, we were not impressed by the food. Don't get me wrong, the service was excellent. The aged prosciutto was okay and the mussels in red sauce were great. The traditional veal was subpar. The best tasting part of our meal was the dessert-torta armaretto. Needless to say maybe we just picked the wrong food to eat?
(3)Bianca L.
Everyone will tell you: The North End is a must see when visiting Boston. The quaint little neighborhood boasts of "amazing" Italian restaurants and bakeries. While I am sure it is true for some, it definitely is not for Cantina Italiana. I had the gnocchi, and the sauce was bitter... like the tomatoes were just taken out of a can. It was absolutely NOTHING like the Italian food I've had in Italy. It was sub par Americanized Italian food. My tiramisu was still frozen in the middle. There was a restaurant across the street that had a long waiting line. That is the one I will visit next time.
(1)Dave and tami P.
Phenomenal pasta dishes. After reading other reviews, I had the home-made bombadatlori pasta special with lobster, mussels, clams, baby shrimp and scallops - Note: to avoid confusion with the menu item vs the special, be sure to point to the menu item you want My wife had the clams with white wine sauce. Both were delicious with their own very unique flavor. The only reasons they don't get 5 stars are slightly above average prices compared to their competition in North End, and a mediocre waiter who couldn't be bothered with questions like "where are the mussels from?", and when we expressed interest in lemoncello and asked if the restaurant had it, the waiter said he'd ask, but just ignored our request (noticed that other waiters were much better - guess we were just lucky) Overall, a nice experience with great food. We'd definitely go again.
(4)John H.
We ate here on Columbus Day with friends from out of town. Took a little while to seat us but it was worth the wait. Service and food were very good.
(4)Guy M.
When dining in the North End, this spot is where I go 9 our of 10 times, because it is consistently good, with great service and atmosphere. Some folks may be intimidated by how close quarters it is up front in the bar area and while waiting to be seated. Never to fear. The hosting staff really does a great job in expediting the dining area and servers to keep the flow going, and the bar tenders will always make sure you are comfortable and paid attention to while you wait. The food is, in my opinion, as close as you can get to your Italian grandmother's kitchen, in comparison to the other North End restaurants. There is not much frill, fluff or "inspired" plates that take away from the "right off the stove" allure that all authentic Italian dishes have. All in all, a great spot and a "can't miss" for the North End.
(4)Michael G.
I came in here with my girlfriend to dip out of the rain and buy her a drink celebrating her new job. We waited 25 minutes on our drinks. I timed them. I'll stop my review here.
(2)Tina M.
I've set a goal of eating at every Italian restaurant in the North End, so i've been to quite a few, and I actually liked this place more than giacomo's, pomodoro, and carmen trattoria. They've got a diverse menu with a great selection of classic italian pasta and meat dishes. The restaurant is also a decent size and the staff are very friendly. If you're looking for classic good italian food, you should totally try this place out. It's also much more affordable than many other restaurants in the area.
(5)Brittney G.
YUMMMMMMMMM. Came here for my sister's 21st birthday. Had Sangria and some red wine with dinner. Sangria was fresh and dangerously sweet. I had the risotto special which for that night was unbelievable. Also, we had an array of appetizers including the calamari and the shrimp dish. The shrimp was perfectly cooked and the sauce was to die for!! Our server was attentive but not overbearing. All in all the meal was great and I will definitely be going back again in the future.
(5)Dexter M.
I got the veal, I thought it was okay. My wife got the lasagna, she thought it was great.
(3)Jillian P.
Have been twice with large group and kids, they are very accommodating for us. The waiter the first time was great and made for a very pleasant experience. The food was delicious! The second time, food was still good but the waiter, not as pleasant being a Saturday night... Felt rushed. But still good food
(3)Angela P.
The best service, homemade authentic Italian cuisine and the best sangria you could dream of! It's a warm, welcoming environment that makes you feel like part of the family!
(5)Lisa H.
Great service, very attentive and friendly. Food was awesome and great flavor and timely.
(4)Yesai F.
This has to be the friendliest restaurant I have ever been to! The service here was superb! Our waiter was super nice and was great at recommend the best since it was our first time here. I ordered the Saltimbocca di Pollo with a side of ravioli topped with meat sauce. The chicken was moist and tender. It really melted in your mouth. The handmade ravioli was seriously a taste bud pleaser. We also had desert but it was a surprise from the waiter. I don't remember the name but boy oh boy was it delicious! I've been craving that desert ever since I got back to LA. This place is worth the try. I don't understand why it doesn't have a long line outside the door like the other italian restaurants in the area.
(5)Cathy B.
This place was packed on Saturday night! It was homecoming at BC and Parents Weekend at Tufts as well as several other local schools so Hanover Street was a madhouse. The red sauce here is very good and seems like real homemade "gravy." I did think the portion sizes were on the average to small side which is unusual for a family type restaurant like this one. I had the eggplant parmesan which was good but didn't even come with a side of pasta! My sons had chicken parm and my husband had the veal parmesan which they all enjoyed. They do serve fresh bread but no olive tray or salad or anything like that. While the meal was fine, I think I will try one of the other spots next time we make a trip to the North End.
(3)Michelle T.
Food tasted good, menu was pretty classic, service was great, but overall value was just not...there. There was a 30 minute wait at 8:30pm on Saturday, which was fine. Immediately after we were seated, we were served delicious fresh chewy and fluffy bread with olive oil. We ordered the seafood crostini, which was AWESOME. I would come back just to order this twice and eat both of them as an entree, though I'd say it could use some salt or chili pepper. We ordered a house special seafood penne pasta, which had pasta that was overcooked, though flavors were good. The better pasta dish was the lobster and crab pasta, with house-made pasta. Sadly, it was WAY underdone, probably because the pasta was HUGE and cut at different sizes. Both the entrees were ~$28. Taste: 3/5 Plating: 4/5 Originality: 3.5/5 Value: 2.5/5 Overall: 3/5 Pretty mediocre Italian restaurant that is A-ok if you're just looking for a random place to eat dinner (and don't mind spending a lot.) My guess is that there are better, tastier places in the area...they just have a 45min+ wait.
(3)Rachel C.
Very laid back place. I was surprised how casual most people were dressed for a Saturday night. The food was fresh and the arugula salad was amazing. I ordered the pasta special which was a very large portion with tons of fresh seafood. The color of the dish was a little strange- everything was circus peanut orange.
(3)Eric K.
Meh. sadly that's all I can say about my experience here. I had somewhat high hopes for the place, as the hostess on the phone was very nice and helpful. The place wasn't overly packed, but still it was a Saturday night and I do have pity on the waitstaff. However after tonight, I just find the staff just too inexperienced for the north end rush. Ill keep it brief with just a pros and cons; Pros- Nice hostess, as mentioned Great wine list Amazing bread; great crust, fluffy white inside. best part of the night (I'm a sucker for good Italian bread) -mussels in tomato garlic broth -Cognac for dessert Cons- -not a stocked bar at all, though they had cordials.. Kind of. -took forever to get water -even longer for the sparkling water - cheaply made cocktails (Burnetts vodka in a 10 dollar cocktail? and only soco for a Manhattan? very unimpressed) -very sub par dishes. my chicken parm was good, but they gave me what seemed like leftover riggatoni as it was barely anything. my girlfriends marsala had no pasta with it. 20 a dish for that was a ripoff. My hopes were put down tremendously. go somewhere else if you can.
(2)Krys S.
Picking an Italian Restaurant in the North End can have you go crazy with the amount of options so, we followed our noses which led us to the door of Cantina Italiana. We are from NJ/NY so def. in the mood for some authentic Italian food and that's what we found here! We didn't have reservations which worried us for a bit but we were placed on a list and waited about 25 min. NOT BAD! To start we all got their house made sangria, which is kept in a huge jug at the bar. It was sooOOO good, a little on the sweet side so you know ahead of time. For appetizer we ordered a special with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, marinated olives and artichokes.. to die for!!! (well, not really but def. what we wanted that night) DINNER: My husband got the chicken parm. which comes with rigatoni (they don't substitute pasta kind) It was a huge thinned chicken breast breaded nicely and smothered in their sauce and baked off with mozzarella cheese. He was in heaven. My sister in law went for the shrimp and lobster with a spicy red sauce, and her shrimp and lobster was plentiful. I got the Pollo Gino, a chicken breast (not breaded) cooked in white wine sauce.. laid on a plate of plum tomato sauce topped with a breaded thick piece of eggplant .. sauced again and topped with mozzarella....best eggplant I think I've ever had from a restaurant. I was unsure about the chicken when I looked at it but it was tender and really could taste the different flavors of the dish. We were too stuffed for dessert but it looked delicious. Give it ago especially if Giacomos has a line wrapped around the block! Visited 9-14-13
(4)Gail C.
A true real Italian restaurant in the North End. Fresh pasta,Yum. I took everyone's suggestion and had the Bombolotti con Aragosta. The flavor of the lobster with the sauce was fantastic. Our party of five all had different items. When the food was served, none of us spoke until of our dishes were licked clean. Portions were a perfect size. Wait service was outstanding for a Saturday evening. There are yelp comments on the drinks, I must say my St. Germaine's fresh mint tasted terrible like it picked up refrigerator odors. The drink was not my favorite. The cannolis were fair. Shell from Modern Pastry and their own, ricotta whipped filling. Go to Mike's for better ones. I saw lots of patrons there with their Mike's Pastry boxes ready for dessert time. Decor was very typical Italian casual eatery,circa 1970-80. The worst part of the day was waiting for the valet to retrieve our car. We had to wait outside in the cold for at least 20 minutes. That was bad. We all agreed, the overall experience was great. We will be back to the Cantina, we are fans.
(4)Kyle C.
This is my go-to place amongst the dizzying variety of restaurants lining Hanover Street. Get the gnocchi. I don't care if you hate gnocchi, never had gnocchi, or don't know what gnocchi is; you positively cannot go wrong ordering this dish. I've tried to replicate it at home on several occasions, and nothing comes remotely close. Cantina Italiana's pasta is all homemade, and it shows. Though the atmosphere may leave something to be desired in some areas of the restaurant (last Valentine's Day I sat in a rickety booth that felt as if it would collapse at any moment), there is strong attention paid to customer service. The waiters are incredibly friendly and helpful. I don't think my glass is ever empty for more than a few seconds before someone darts over and fills it. Try Cantina Italiana before you go anywhere else, and finish it off with a cannoli at Modern Pastry down the street.
(4)Kristen K.
Food here was average. I'm pretty sure there's a lot better food around the north end, but this was one of the restaurants that didn't have a huge line out of the door so we tried it. We had the caprese (tomato basil mozzarella), arugula salad, and fettuccini. It was good, But the quality of the ingredients could've been a lot better. The tomato in the caprese tasted bland and grocery store bought. There wasn't enough basil either. The arugula wasnt that fresh, I've had better. And the fettuccini lacked flavor. The homemade pasta was pretty good though! But very filling. Overall I wouldn't go there again, it was pretty average. But on a weekend, when it's crowded in north end it's not too bad.
(3)Eugene D.
The service was friendly without being overbearing, and the food was very satisfying!
(4)Christina G.
I had a nice meal here last night. The decor and atmosphere are not fantastic, but the food and service were very good. They have a lot of standard fare that you will find on any menu in the North End, but a lot of interesting pasta varieties that I haven't seen anywhere else. We tried the Carpaccio appetizer which was tasty. For entrees we had the Gnocchi Al Forno and Fusilli Fromaggi. They are very similar dishes and both were simple but very good. My favorite was the Fusilli though. Instead of wine, we opted for these frozen strawberry bellinis...they were delicious! they didn't quite go with our meal, but what a treat. As with most of the restaurants on Hanover Street, this place seemed to be a little pricer than it should have been. They do have live music though, so points for that.
(4)Sven P.
Pizza was fantastic, and the bartenders provided lovely service
(4)Amy K.
I was totally craving pasta, and Cantina Italiana really hit the spot! We went for lunch on a weekday, so there wasn't a wait, unlike at a certain other establishment across the street. Our server was very friendly and the service was excellent. The restaurant has a nice atmosphere, too. We started off sharing the house salad. It was fresh and flavorful. The bread they gave us was perfect for getting that last bit of dressing. I had the Linguine con Calamari. The pasta was al dente and the sauce was excellent. I was lapping it up with my spoon, it was so good. I would definitely come back to Cantina Italiana again!
(4)Brian G.
Very good food in an excellent part of boston!
(4)Melissa F.
This is the oldest restaurant in the North End. It has solid food and is my go to place when I don't feel like researching something new. I love the gnochi.
(5)Michael M.
This is a great little restaurant that amplifies the whole north end feel, and is really delicious. Service is great and friendly and parking is a pain. Other than that though a really perfect little Italian place. I recommend the lasagna!
(4)Nick S.
I went here for dinner on a Sunday night during a Bruins game. A lot of the other places in the North End were packed. They had a table available and the food was great. I tried the Bombolotti alla Buongustaia. They make their very own unique Bombolotti, you have to try it. The staff was very nice and I would definitely go back the next time I'm in Boston.
(4)Mils K.
Great homemade pasta. loved the sauce! also had the spinach with garlic... i could eat that whole dish by myself. I was so stuffed for lunch, that i didn't have to eat dinner. the worst part..... horrible service. Our old waiter did not like me and my friend. Next time I go there, I have to make sure i don't get his table. He's been there forever, and selectively treats customers well. He loved our other two friends at the table! salads also great... love their dressing. chicken picatta was very tasty too. they are known for their lasagna, but since i don't eat red meat, i have no idea how good it is.
(4)Maggie T.
The service was great & the food was awesome! I had made my reservations on line a few days in advance for four . We arrived 1/2 hr early & they sat us right away. We started with an app & cocktails then on to dinner. I can't just recommend one thing because all four of us loved are meals!! So do yourselves a favor and feast on any meal you won't be disappointed. Enjoy!!!
(5)Mark M.
Preface: We were tourists from Texas and New York looking for a great North End experience. Grandma, Grandpa, me (late 20s) and little sister (18). Service: Good, but not great. There were pretty busy the night we dined (which I'm sure is common). It took quite a long time to get us refills, bread, etc. Food: Good, but not exceptional by any means. The lasagna seems like it could be Stouffer's. The pastas are homemade (they say) and the portions aren't quite equivalent to the price. Wine list: Good. Could be longer and there aren't a whole lot of choices to buy by the glass. They do, however, have a flight selection (3 wines of the same grape) which is excellent and a good deal. This place is old school and seems like the interior is the same it was in 1950.
(3)Sidney A.
I went to Cantina Italiana on Valentine's day weekend. They take online reservations, so that was fantastic. We arrived a little early to our reservation, and since it was Valentine's weekend, the place was very busy. We ended up having to wait an extra 20 minutes after our reservation time, but the Manager was wonderfully accommodating. He even gave us free drinks. The food here was absolutely wonderful as well. My boyfriend got a steak and he LOVED it. I got some handmade pasta which was delicious. I even had a canoli for dessert and it was fantastic. I definitely like this place a lot and would go back.
(4)Ann K.
A go-to place for us in Boston. The bombolatti is awesome! Homemade pasta, goat cheese, sausage, who could ask for anything more! The consierge at the Hilton Financial District turned us on to this place and we stop by on nearly every trip to Boston. Try the house made sangria while waiting for your table.
(4)Jacquelyn M.
Okay, so I've been going to this restaurant for like twenty years, since I was a kid. So it's near and dear to my heart. Some fo the best food in the North End, but the service has gotten fairly questionable. While I realize Saturday nights are busy, I felt as though I was being rished out of the place in order to free up a table. Really bad business. Please go back to being nice to your repeat customers, and next time let us take our time since we always spend at least $150 on our 2 person meal.
(4)Lili T.
I went here a couple of weeks ago with the family on a Saturday night. We arrived relatively early with no reservations and were seated immediately. The hostess was kind of grumpy but our waiter was really nice. The restaurant is definitely old but still had a nice atmosphere. The food was good, not the best Italian food in the area but if your hungry and looking for a restaurant that's not a zoo I'd give this place a try!
(4)Jeremy K.
On Veteran's day was my 2.5 year anniversary with Dina and I wanted to find something a little different to do. I wanted to shake up our usual routines and go to the North End. I blame my recent discovery and addiction to the Sopranos. We decided upon this lovely little North Endish restaurant and gladly settled into their authentic little booth's. We shared a bruschetta which was very good and the misses had a pasta dish while I settle for my fav: chicken piccata. Everything was delicious and so was the dine although the whole tab was a bit pricey. The waiter was terrific and very attentive and the overall experience was well-worth it although it will remain occasional due to the costs. This place made me reminiscent of my numerous trips to Italy, and brought some great memories back to me. A terrific little joint, which I higly recommend!
(4)Lucia A.
This place was recommended to us by the Omni Parker House. I was told that the Italian district is amazing and a must to eat at!! We loved this place! Excellent wine and food! On a rainy Tuesday night, the restaurant was not full by any means, and the service was still slow. We were on vacation so it didn't bother us too much. Great Italian food and a great ambiance!
(4)Herb Z.
Great place that gets overlooked in the North End. Food is great and service is good. Been going for years an haven't been disappointed.
(4)Cindy H.
I ordered seafood fettuccine and it was so-so. The noodles had a good texture and I believe it was homemade. The shrimp was fresh, but the clams and mussels were ok.
(3)Kyle L.
Not worth the wait or $$ - We go to the North end frequently and have eaten at the Cantina several times before. It has always been OK, but this time it did not even live up to that standard. We were seated quickly and were initially attended to, but as the night wore on and I do mean wore on, it just got worse and worse. It was just my wife and I and our 7 Y/O daughter. It felt like once they realized we were not going to order alcohol (and thus double the check) they seriously ratcheted down the level of service. The bread was fresh, but cold. The waiter only gave us 6 small pieces and one small plate with plain olive oil. I am use to the house leaving the bottle of olive oil. Our 7 Y/O was starving so she had 4 of the six pieces and was upset that we ran out of oil so quickly. It was over 40 minutes before we got our food and were never offered any more bread or anything for the child, despite the fact that she was obviously hungry tired and bored out of her head. (A quick small plate of pasta, a meatball or small salad for the kid while she was waiting would have changed the evening and this review around) When the food arrived it was mediocre. I am averaging my wife's "good" chicken and eggplant dish with my disaster plate of bolognaise. The pasta was homemade and a bit undercooked, but the real complaint was the seasoning of the sauce. I had my wife taste it to be sure. She conformed is was absent any flavor at all, missing at least 1 or 2 key spices. It has taken so long for the food to arrive and our daughter was fading quickly so I ate, paid quickly and went on with our evening. With all the wonderful options in the North end, I can't imagine it will take too long for this kind of inconsistency to catch up with the Cantina. This was certainly our last visit.
(2)Danielle R.
What impressed me most about Cantina Italiana was the service. I didn't have to wait for my own waiter (who was friendly & knowledgeable) to take away cleared plates - whoever walked by first took them. I dropped the paper inside a bread basket & a waitress stopped to retrieve it before it hit the ground. I thought the food was good overall. Mussels - excellent, lobster ravioli special - meh, veal fiore - good, mixed drinks - really good.
(3)Oded B.
Nice staff.. but we walked in mid week for lunch and waited more than 30 minutes to get our food, and the place wasn't that full.... I had to remind them twice to refill my drink. The whole experience was annoying. Food was ok when we finally got it .. but it took forever. not coming back.
(1)christina P.
I don't care who you are or who you want to be... never charge 9 bucks for a glass of gabbiano chianti in a big bulk bottle. we stayed for 1 drink and couldnt stomach the attitude of the bartender. she stared at us while we tried to uncomfortably have an OK time ...was incredibly rude. again, i dont care who you are. there is no excuse for a sour puss face. there are hundreds of places in the north end that are better simply because the people smile when you walk in. dont waste your time.
(1)Shannon T.
Excellent food, extensive wine list, efficient and friendly service.
(4)Gerry G.
The service was excellent, but the food was mediocre. In my experience, bad service can ruin a good meal, but excellent service can't make up for mediocre food. The first thing I noticed was the menu: nothing really creative or unique on it. Pretty standard stuff. So, my family ordered 4 pasta dishes. One was "good" and the other three were below average. At around $20 a plate (for pasta dishes!), I certainly expected much better. Overall, a disappointment. We won't be going back.
(2)Dave C.
Very very average. I'm Sicilian from Chicago. This is not authentic Italian. Chicken Parmesean dry & tasteless.
(2)Tim S.
I really wanted to love tis place as I have heard many good things about it. I sat at the stark bar and order the cheapest glass of wine - $9. Pretty good, but should be. My entree was a chicken parm kind of dish with chicken and eggplant. It was tiny, and did not include pasta. Just two little pieces of chicken on a big plate with red sauce. $20. Tomato sauce was awesome as was the bread basket. But $20 should get you chicken and a little pasta. It was an additional $7 if I wanted pasta. Gee a box of Barilla is 99 cents and feeds 8 people...so thats like 23 cents per serving.
(2)Deb C.
I have lived in the Boston area since 1994 can't believe I missed this gem! Went tonite and it was amazing. My new fave in the North End. Owner greeted us and was so welcoming,. I felt like I was in someone's home and it was packed so that is saying something.our waiter was so funny, everything he recommended I was like nope i dont like that. So he gave up poor thing! Then I asked him if I should get chicken parm or the pollo Gino...he said Gino so i did it and it was AMAZING! This is my new go to joint in the North End- it was jamming....hidden gem amazing gravy- JUST DO IT
(5)Donald S.
good service, good food, good times.
(5)Wendy O.
Went here on vacation last year, and I can't stop thinking about the lasagne! The BEST I've ever had. Yes, it's crowded and we had to wait in line outside, but the food made it worth it. If I only lived closer!
(5)Alison C.
Cantina Italiana might not be the fanciest dining room in Boston's North End, but the food is out of this world! I have been to several places in this area, and have been decently surprised by most of them (especially in comparison to NYC's horrible Little Italy section), but this blows all of them out of the water. When you walk through the cramped entrance way, you will be greeted by an old fashioned wooden bar on your right and a large party table to your left. Just beyond this cluttered area is a larger dining room with several booths and tables. Though I had made a reservation for our large group of 6, we had to wait close to an hour to be seated. This was an annoyance, and the service was not spectacular, but the food made up for it all. The Italian bread was definitely a northern style: a bit more dry and in need of flavor. The Antipasto all' Italiana appetizer was a delicious mix of fresh and thinly sliced meats and cheeses, drizzled with just the right amount of olive oil. My Bombolotti con' Aragosta entree was indescribably amazing. The bombolotti pasta was homemade and served al dente. The noodles were served with large chunks of shrimp and lobster meat, all covered in fresh garlic, olive oil, and a sweet tomato sauce. I could probably eat this for every meal of my life. Our entire party of 6 people loved their meals and finished every last bite. Yum! They also have an extensive wine list, sangria, and their specialty Bellinis, which are made with prosecco and apricot brandy. The prices are also very reasonable, with entrees ranging from $17 to 32, with most in the low $20s. I highly, highly recommend this gem that is also the oldest restaurant in the North End.
(5)Kelly W.
You think. It's the North End. It's Italian food. You can't mess this up. WRONG. I went here almost a year ago and here's what I remember: for Italian food in Boston's North End, this place is forgettable (a contradictory phrase perhaps?) Look, it just proves, don't just walk into any old place here, research is obviously required.
(2)Allison S.
We came here on a Saturday night, and we were so glad that we made reservations! The bar was jam-packed full of people waiting for a table and we walked right past them and sat right away. They really pack the tables in there - my chair was right up against the chair of a man sitting behind me and I felt a little bit trapped at the table. There are some cheesy murals on the walls and the candles are fake - they did a good job with the "fake ambiance". The waitress was kind of distracted and kept popping up and disappearing before finally taking our order. We also waited a while for bread to arrive at the table. Once the food came, it was good, but nothing super special. I definitely learned some new types of pastas from their menu, which was VERY extensive (and maybe a little bit too much so). We had the fried calamari with hot peppers as a starter, and as a main course, I ordered the fusilli with marinara sauce with four different cheeses baked in the oven. Both were tasty. It was pretty good and I would consider return again, but probably not on a Saturday night.
(3)Pat C.
A wonderful experience from start to finish. Great service, waiter explained the specials and treated us like we were family. Food was well prepared and piping hot upon arrival, which was just the right time in between the appetizer. We ordered a bottle of the house wine and enjoyed it with our meal, veal parmigiana and gnocchi. We were too full to order dessert. Can't wait for next trip to Boston to enjoy this dining experience again.
(5)Chris K.
Phenomenal chicken parmigiana and lasagna! Best food I have had in a long. Will definitely make this a stop next trip back to Boston!
(5)Julie L.
SO! on my big BAH-STAHN spring break rendezvous, just hit up this place for my best friend's birthday.... general ambiance of the store was so-so, but, it was definitely nice having actual Italian-speaking waiters, since... we DID come ALL the way to NorthEnd, afterall, for some great Italian food/experience. Food was good - my friends ordered some of the baked dishes-gnocchi and fusilli quattro formagi - both of which I was not very impressed by - just lots of tomato and cheesiness - that's just SOMEwhat tasty but filling. Probably the reason why my friends ate half, boxed the rest, and... kind of forgot about it in the fridge... But, I ordered the Saltimbocca di Pollo (chicken, mushrooms in white wine sauce) which was EXCELLENT. I was definitely ordering more bread just to soak up the delicious sauce... previously mentioned friends were sticking their forks in my plate, as well...
(3)Lia M.
Stopped in here for a drink with a friend and had a good time. As the window was open, we sat at the bar table next to the window. It was a little cramped, but worth it. Cantina Italiana only has cordials, beer, & wine (i.e., no vodka). The martinis were decent, though not super strong, and the thin crust pizza we shared was good. The tiramisu was tasty as well. Bartender & host were friendly.
(3)Andrew K.
Went here to celebrate my dad's birthday with the fam. Excellent food throughout. I had the Bombolotti con Aragosta (pasta with lobster and shrimp in marinara), while the others had veal scallopini and gnocchi. I could tell that the lobster was fresh caught, not frozen (having had a lobster sandwich at Uno's earlier, which definitely was frozen). Also had the dessert of the day, a tiramisu-like dessert w/ ladyfingers soaked in Amaretto Di Sorrano. Honestly, I expected an OK meal given this is one of the North End's oldest restaurants and older restaurants often let the food quality slide. Not here. Overall, a great meal worth the value. I give it four stars mainly for the food, as service was good, not exceptional, and the decor seems a little dated. If you focus on the food, you will enjoy this restaurant.
(4)Kelly A.
If I knew I was going to die tomorrow, I'd make the Cantina Italiana gnocchi my last meal. They are p.h.e.n.o.m.e.n.a.l. I grew up in an Italian family with an Italian grandmother who made gnocchi on a regular basis. I consider myself somewhat of a gnocchi connoisseur. The gnocchi at Cantina Italiana are the only ones I have ever had that rival my grandmother's. They are baked in a delicious pomodoro sauce and served with a dollop of fresh ricotta cheese. Just awesome. As for Cantina overall, it is one of my favorite places. Yes, it's cheesy, and yes, it's old-school, but that's part of the charm. I got engaged at Cantina and my husband and I continue to celebrate our anniversary there every year. It's a throwback that I greatly enjoy. I've never had problems with the service, and plus they are on Open Table now so it's easier than ever to make a reservation before you go. Check it!
(5)Stephanie S.
Visited this past weekend for a late lunch. Since I don't visit the North End that much our first choice was Pizzeria Regina because I'd never been, but the line was out the door around the corner a ways. So we headed to Hanover Street and this is what we came to. I guess we choose the wrong door.... Like I said, late lunch and we were super hungry. Our booth seats were a little worse for wear and uncomfortable (not a deal breaker). Our waiter was a weird flavor of enthusiastic. When I gave him my order he would correct my pronunciation with what he felt was a more authentic italian pronunciation. No thanks, Sir! Not the way to earn a good tip from me. I'll have the bruschetta, without the attitude. Our bruschetta app was okay. I've had much better at Silvertone. But the app and entree (chicken parm and gnocchi) came out after a longer wait and all at once. (kind of annoying, right?) Quality was definitely nothing special. Portions for lunch were as you might expect but the prices were more like dinner prices. I feel like our specific server was a dud, the food was below average and the prices were too high. Try Giacomo's instead.
(2)Steven L.
Food is pretty good and there's never a wait unlike most places in the North End.
(4)Jane A.
My Favorite Italian Resturant on Hanover Street!! Classic Italian cooking.. Delicious!! Great Wine List. The decor is very old looking but the quality Food makes it not even matter.
(5)Daniel P.
For various reasons, I generally don't go into town for Italian food, but I went to this restaurant for a family dinner with 7 people to celebrate a special occasion. My sister had recommended Cantina Italiana by giving it the backhanded recommendation of being 'a bit heavy on the decor, but the food is really good,' and true to her description, after the meal everybody came out pleased, which, if one was playing odds, would be unlikely for such a large group. The waiter was very attentive without being overbearing, and the food was great. Furthermore, the wine recommended by the waiter was a nice compliment to the dinner. If I lived close by I might think about eating here more often, but even still I rate this place high enough to visit again the next time I feel like having an Italian meal with friends in the city.
(4)Susan M.
Their Gnocchi is to die for. Great atmosphere for two or for a group of four or more. It has to be one of my favorite restaurants in the neighborhood.
(5)Greg G.
I want to give this place a 5, but i really hesitate to give any place a 5. Cantina Italiana is a little bit down hanover street past mikes pastry. It doesn't get as much traffic as all the other places, so it's not as busy. I got a table with no wait for 6 people on a friday night. The food was absolutely fantastic, and the service was excellent. Great wine selection! The prices were actually pretty good for the portions. I had a lobster ravioli that was pretty impressive. I tried everyone else's food, and I wasn't the only one with an excellent meal. The servers and the owner really appreciate your business, and they really make you feel welcome. I look forward to going here again.
(4)Nan S.
Best pasta I've had in Boston thus far. I got the Bombolotti alla Buongustaia, and it was the best pasta I have tasted in so long. This is the description of it on their website "Homemade Bombolotti pasta, tossed with spicy Italian sausage, fresh basil and marinara sauce, topped with parmigiano and fresh goat cheese, baked to perfection". Usually after reading such a mouth-watering description, one often gets disappointed at the real thing, but not in this case. It tasted so fresh and was hot, and the goat cheese went so well with the sauce and sausages. I loved the combination. Their complimentary bread was hard and cold though. Although we had reservations for the night, we had to wait awhile. Our waiter was very attentive to our needs when we sat down. However, it was Valentine's day.... he told us about this bottle of wine and said normally for the bottle it costs $70 but today the restaurant was having a special for it for $45. I looked up the retail price online, and it's only about $17 for a bottle that is a year older than the one we had. I guess I should have known because restaurants hike up the price all the time esp. during V-day, but I didn't like that he had to lie to us about that. For blatantly lying, I am only giving this place 4 stars and not 5 stars. PS) If you're going on some special holiday (e.g. Valentine's Day), you better make RSVPs fast!
(4)brett b.
terrible. awful. do NOT go here... unless you aren't that hungry and can afford to wait eons for your food. came here on 7/4. walk in. dirty table. bad sign... people in table over complaining about long wait for food was foreshadowing. drink needed to be sent back bc didnt come as ordered. took 25 mins for bread then waited over 30 mins for appetizer of bruschetta which looked like it was made by a 5 yr old. whole tomatoes uncut, no basil. we had seen enough - dropped 20 down for the drinks and left in search of a real, clean, attentive restaurant. we were not only party to walk out in disgust.
(1)Lisa M.
After multiple meals at many of the other restaurants in the North End, I always end up back at Cantina. They offer many of the standard fare like parmigiana, marsala, and piccata, but they are so flavorful and well done with really nice cuts of meat, and the pasta is always perfectly al dente. It's the oldest restaurant in the North End, so they hold on to that old world look, which kind of adds to the whole experience. Just don't expect updated and modern here's and it's usually packed, but well worth it for a great meal.
(5)Andrew B.
In a normal neighborhood this restaurant my be the best choice around, but when in the North End standards are a bit higher and this place falls in as adequate. The food was good, but not great. Nothing too amazing on the menu. The wait time was not bad. The bread served before the mean also decent, but nothing amazing. The service was pretty decent, but we seemed to fall down the priority list as we weren't buying alcohol. Everything about the meal and experience was good and decent. If everywhere else is packed its not a bad choice, I suppose.
(3)Jessie G.
Don't mistake the Italian name for Italian food. This place is just not good. About 2 weeks ago the hubby and I decided to check out the North End. After wandering for hours enjoying the scenery we realized we were STARVING. I like kitsch and the neon bottle of Chianti convinced me this was the place. FOOD: Bordering on gross, the chicken parm was clearly microwaved, dry as could be and generally less than appetizing. The linguini with clams wasn't bad, but the clams were dried out and as my husband said "reminiscent of gum." SERVICE: We managed to get in just as they were changing over staff. There was a good bit of confusion as to who would be helping us. Once we had a waitress assigned she wasn't available to bring water and kept asking a busboy to do it. He was less than enthused. DRINKS: Their giant jug of sangria looked appetizing to the hubby and he ordered 2 without thinking to ask the cost. When the bill came they were $10 a pop for 1 wineglass full. Since when did cheap sangria wine cost $10 a glass? THE COST: We were here for lunch and it came to a little over $80! Here's what we had: 1 chicken parm, 1 linguini w/ clams, 2 side salads, 2 sangrias, 1 iced tea. When I gave the waitress a 15% tip she gave me a "what did I do wrong" look. Oy, just don't make the same mistake we did...put your money to good use.
(1)Bethany T.
Went here for a double-date with some friends from out of town. Made a reservation, showed up a little early and was seated promptly. Started with sharing a two appetizers among the table. The Carpaccio di Bresaola was tasty though different from other Carpaccios I've had in the past. The Calamari were very tender and tasty! For my main course I got Bombolotti con Aragosta, which was very good. The shrimp were nice and meaty, the pasta was perfectly al dente. The lobster was good as well, although there wasn't as much of it as I would have liked. My husband got Bombolotti alla Buongustaia, which he was very pleased with. The other couple got Risotto ai Porcini and Lasagna al Forno and were both very pleased. For "dessert" they got boozy coffees, which were large and strong. I got a Sombrero; I wanted a White Russian (aka, what the Dude drinks), but they didn't have vodka. Overall, a great meal but they lost a point for the hideous service. Every step was slow. I went without water on multiple occasions, as did others at the table. Even though the waitress did seem busy, she looses big points because when she forgot something for the table next to us and the fellow sitting there said "oh its OK, I can see you're really busy" she said to him "oh I'm not busy, I'm just empty-headed". WTF? Overall, this seems to be an issue with the server in particular, so I would definitely still come back here again.
(3)Michael G.
I first dined here in early 2007 when I was still just a tourist looking for a home to buy in the Boston area. I officially moved to Boston in November 2007 and have enjoyed Cantina Italiana ever since. When my friends and family come up to visit, I always make sure to take them to the North End and to Cantina Italiana. I love this place and everyone I have taken there always loves it as well. The food is just plain delicious!
(5)Ron R.
Great food with excellent service. We felt like we were dining with family after the manager, Alberto, greeted us. The wait staff were also very friendly and efficient. We tried a seafood special that included lobster ravilois, shrimp, clams and swordfish in a clear broth; outstanding! We also had one of their specialties: Bombolotti con Aragosto. This was a wide tubular pasta served with lobster and shrimp in a garlic based sauce. This dish was also brilliant. Dine there and you will not be disappointed! Mikes Pastry was down the street which even improved our great experience.
(4)Monica P.
Definitely going back! My mom, sister, and I just happened upon this restaurant and we couldn't be more delighted. The staff was warm and welcoming and I swear to God I'm going to marry our waiter from that night. The food was beyond excellent, but seriously...the sweetest of princes works there.
(5)andy b.
Having lived in Boston for 6 years, and never have been to the north end , I was excited to try this place and there handmade gnocchi. After a long day on spectacle island I had worked up quite the appetite. The service was terrible. No bread, no water, and no waiter? After getting drinks I swallowed some chuncks of debris in my stella. The waiter explained that is was just a straw wrapper and took it away. 20 min. later I finally saw my waiter again so I asked where my drink was. I got a confused look and a "you wanted another???" The food. The food was below average My 12 year old nephew has made me better pasta. This food is not worth the money, it is strictly a tourist trap. I would love some information on where to actually go in the North End
(1)Holly M.
Ahh the North End, one of my favorite place to go when I'm in Boston and this restaurant is no exception. I tried this restaurant out during Restaurant week one year and it was great Italian food. I loved there bread basket and the olive oil they brought to your table and there pasta is wonderful. I love tortilline so I tried it out to see if it would live up to my North End expectations and boy did it ever. The creamy riccota inside each tortilline was delicious and the sauce was not to overpowering it had just the right amount of spice to it. This restaurant is a perfect place to take that special someone in your life and afterwards enjoy the sites and sounds that the North End has to offer. Check it out!
(4)Amanda C.
My husband and I saw an advertisement for this place in our hotel literature. Because we knew there were so many Italian restaurants in the North End, we thought to go to this place. Boy we were happy with our decision! The cute and quaint atmosphere was just what we were looking for. The dining area was small and intimate. The waiter was Italian and his accent was just adorable. We ordered the calamari appetizer and caesar salad for starters. Both dishes were good but nothing to rave about. For entrees we ordered the veal parm and veal scallopini. Here's where the raving begins. Both dishes were out of this world. The veal parm was perfectly cooked, not too crispy, not over done and chewy. It was accompanied by rigatoni and meat sauce, with plenty of both. The veal scallopini was tender and white, with an abundance of wild mushrooms on the plate. I normally taste the white wine in the sauce but here the mushroom flavor overshadowed that. My husband and I have both had these dishes at numerous restaurants, in many different cities. But these were impeccably prepared to the point that we both started eating slower so it wouldn't end! I would totally recommend this place to anyone who appreciates good, home cooked Italian cuisine. My father is Italian and I've never had anything this good (sorry Dad!). We will be back for sure when we are next in the Boston area.
(5)Mark B.
I'm having a hard time with this review because I hate to dis a place that was recommended by one of my daughters (on the off chance that she might actually read this review). Quick aside: does anyone actually use the word "dis" these days or am I outdated? Anyway, we loaded up on the Gnocchi based on a few reviews here and it was the most bland Gnocchi that I've ever eaten. Maybe they ran out of basil and garlic that night and didn't want to admit it. It needed a lot of help. The bruschetta was good and the $10 salad was very good but probably not worth $10. There were other problems. The guy playing music (with a fake Italian accent) spent more time at our table than our waiter. Did he really think that our party of 8 came to the restaurant to be entertained by him? He spent 8 minutes talking to us, two minutes playing music, and then 3 more minutes making sure we knew that his business cards were upfront, and I don't think the business cards were the end game either. The waiter recently completed the restaurant's sales training course because he was trying to "up-sell" us everything. We had to tell him that we wanted "regular" (as in free) water three times before he stopped asking us if we wanted bottled water. When we said that we wanted to start with Bruschetta, I was fully expecting him to suggest 6 orders for our party of 8. At times, he tried to use the "assumed close" to get more of us to order salads. It really was ridiculous. This place was not nearly as busy as every other restaurant in the North End and I think I know why.
(2)James C.
Highly recommend. No other way to put it. We trusted the yelp reviews again and were not let down. There are a lot of pricey places on Hanover street in Boston, but this gem was moderately priced and had a big menu. The lasagne was outstanding as was the four cheese fusilli. Deserts were home made. Try the cheesecake. You will not be sorry.
(5)Paul K.
I think one of the reasons we like Cantina Italiana is because it epitomizes what I originally imagined a traditional Boston North End Italian Restaurant to be. It has a great old-world feel with some great Italian dishes. We try to make this an regular stop when we come to Boston. The servings are generous without being excessive and our service has always been pretty good. The desserts always look good, but we can't pass up a chance to go to Mike's!!! A favorite of mine is the Bombolotti w/Sausage. I also like the Tomato Mozzarella Salad very much too. It's all pretty good though. Reservations are recommended, especially on the weekends. Check it out if you can!
(4)Michael G.
The food has always been very good and the atmosphere is authentic. HOWEVER, the last 2 times I went here two awkward things have happened. About a year ago, I was eating with my family and a group of musicians came into the restaurant. My sister took a photo of them, and then they demanded that we pay them money for the photo. SKETCH. Recently, I went here and I was with fellow young professionals, and they gave us a "look" like we don't want you to serve you because you are young and are not going to spend a lot here. The vibe was somewhat snobby, but the food was still very good.
(3)Janell Y.
Lucky you Cantina Italiana, my friends and I did not want to wait in line across the street for Giorgino's so we yelped you and found you worthy of our wallets. Fail. Not for the restaurant but because we assumed the wait would be less but I have a feeling it would've been the same. Oh well, either way our end result was still good. So, while waiting to be seated my friend and I decided to sit by the bar, check out the wine and see how much beer would be. I understand how busy it can be when there's one bartender who is making the drinks not just for those at the bar but throughout the entire restaurant but seriously you don't ignore the entire half of the other side. My friend and I were getting rather impatient and mind you, we're REALLY patient. A couple next to us was getting rather restless too. When he FINALLY noticed us, he didn't really make much of an impression, he wasn't rude nor was he even nice enough to like. He's lucky the food and our waiter was OUTSTANDING because if not, this place would've been deducted a star. When we were finally seated, our waiter was the most charming guy I've ever met! I wish I remembered his name, if he even mentioned it but he was really sweet. Paid just enough attention but not too much to suffocate us and entertained us with his little side comments about certain dishes. I'm sure all the waiters/waitresses have to explain to each customer how this place makes their own pasta but he did it in a way that showed such sincerity, either that or he's really good at faking it haha. He would also pronounce the names of the dishes the way they were and if we got 'em wrong he wouldn't make us feel stupid like most places seem to sadly do. I forgot what I ordered, it was the Risotto with Shitake mushrooms but that was THE bomb. Like omg, I never thought I'd ever like a risotto so much but I sure hope I find something similar here in the bay. As for my other co-eaters, they were all more than satisfied with their platters. I'm already missing this place. Definitely check it out if you ever go to Boston!
(5)Neil B.
Went here with some friends who wanted to experience the North End. Not knowing any better I let them look at the menus and pick where to go. They decided that this place looked good. Food - woefully average. Calamari appetizer was decent, if not a bit chewy. One persons Chicken Parm was pretty lame. Others friends pasta dish had a very bland uninspired sauce, but the pasta was good. A pizza that I got was ok. Service - good, if a bit slow and uncoordinated. Some "I got you that beer you asked for right?" stuff going on. Decor - kitsch, but fairly fun. Price - high for the quality of food but fairly reasonable. It's times like this that I wish I could remember the good places that people have told me about in the North End. However, I rarely go there so I was as much of a tourist as my friends were to be honest.
(2)Matt F.
Solid food at reasonable prices... The one dish I'd recommend is Bombolotti al Forno.
(4)Cory B.
Great food & service. Also has valet parking.
(4)Lisa E.
I had a lovely meal here, with my only issue being the service in some parts. I had a reservation but was still made to wait while a hostess half paid attention to me. After a bit of urging we were seated about 10 minutes after arriving. The table service was a bit slow to start out but was ultimately fine and our waitress was very sweet and funny. The food here is excellent though. I had eaten here several years ago and had actually always remembered what I'd had there and how good it was. So of course, I had to order it again this time and it was just as good. I also had a very delicious salad of arugula, pine nuts, shaved Parmesan and balsamic. I haven't had that combination before. It is a very old school, comfortable atmosphere and I always enjoy it.
(4)Amy B.
If you haven't been to Cantina Italiana yet, you need to go. Don't let the tacky neon sign outside fool you into thinking this place is only for tourists - as a former North End resident, I can assure you that the pastas here are not to be missed. I love their gnocchi and I think it's my favorite in the North End! Everyone I've brought to this restaurant loved it and I'll keep coming back for years to come.
(5)John N.
We were walking around forever and couldn't decided on which restaurant to try first in North End and finally we just force ourself to go in here. I wasn't really impress w.the food so I didn't want to order anything expect some wines to drink and even that was pretty bad too. The only person who order something was my friend brooke so we all got to try her gnocchi and it wasn't that good. It was very heavy and even after we add some cheese on it, it wasn't still good. Overall this place suck and it more for tourist. I would stay away from this place at all cost!
(1)Patti S.
We went here for dinner and it was very delicious. The service was great and very authentic. We didn't have a reservation and didn't have to wait for a table on a Saturday night. Highly recommended!
(5)Meera Z.
We booked a reservation for a party of 14 on the first night of Restaurant Week. We didn't expected to be wowed by the service since our table was so huge, and they were most likely going to busy anyways. I was pleasantly surprised by our waiter! He put up with our nonsense, with a smile throughout the whole meal. He even didn't seem to mind too much that the birthday boy was an hour late (I kid you not). He, and the rest of the serving staff, was wonderful! Unfortunately, I can't say the same about the food. I always thought that restaurants brought out the best for restaurant week. If this was their best, I'd hate to see their worst! The Pasta Fagioli was really bland and was reminiscent of Spaghetti-O's. The Seafood/Mushroom Risotto was also quite bland. It was also too gooey as well - I didn't even want to finish it or take it home. The chocolate souffle was delicious, but the gelato that came with it tasted like Bubble Gum flouride that the dentist gave you as a kid. I also tried a friends Stuffed Cornish Hen, and that was so-so as well. As I've been to other North End restaurants and know how good they can be, I don't think I'll be returning here again.
(3)Sarah K.
This was my go-to restaurant in the North End when I lived in Boston. A friend took me there once and from then on this is where I went when my group of friends could not decide where to go (and we didn't even have to leave Hanover Street). Food was always delicious - I have a feeling I've only really eaten the lasagna and eggplant parm because I'm like that - I was never disappointed though. Took my dad there once and we ate so much I felt like I should've walked home to Brighton afterwards. Service was always friendly and attentive even when the place was very crowded and the wait was long to get in. I love the one crappy photo of the place on here. I hope some yelper takes their camera with them next time to supply a replacement. If I'm in Boston anytime soon I'll try to remember to take one.
(4)David D.
Hanover seems to this outsider to be a tourist trap Mecca so a group of friends and I decided to go for the restaurant that looked like it had been there for a long time. Cantina Italiana it was. The places sure does need a makeover but not the food. Old school Italian goodness. And I went old school all the way. Cesar salad was awesome, tangy and flavorful and still crisp, not something that sat on the counter for 10 minutes, covered with freshly grated Romano. Just so damn tasty. At first I was eyeballing the veal but when I read the pastas were homemade and fresh, well the lasagna was more than an easy sell. And did it go down easy also. Simply the best lasagna I've had in a restaurant. Not like mama makes it, but pretty freakin close. And just for even more clichéness, for desert I went for the chocolate cake. Chocolate cakes are usually heavy and contain too much sugar. But this one was fluffy and not to sweet. Portions are just right, no excess in savor on anything, everything is balanced and fresh. I loved every bite.
(5)Mike T.
This is further proof that Zagat will rate just about anything. The food was average at best, quantities were small, the prices were high, and the service was some of the worst I have ever seen. Keep walking there are many great choices in the North End.
(1)Terry W.
I am having trouble spelling planning my next visit here, so sorry for butchering this in advance.... Gnocchi..Gnocchi..where for art thou Gnocchi...I've never had real Gnocchi until this place...wow..Amazing. I thought I did, but was obvioulsy sadly misstaken...these were little pillows of goodness. I had it Gnocchi Al Forno with homemade sausage...wow...My brother was there with me and had the lunch special which was insanely good...a capelletti with Proscuitto and arugula in a cream sauce that was amazing. the lunch special off the chain...18 dollars for salad, entree, and dessert...canolli or tiramisu - which was homemade btw. Go here now and don't hessitate...Phantom called it a hidden jewel...i call it WOW...
(4)Adrienne D.
I stop by here every time I'm in Boston for their homemade Bombolotti with Italian sausage. It's amazing. I'm usually eating at odd hours prior to a flight out of Logan, but I've never had to wait long. See you over Memorial Day.
(4)Drew F.
Mmmm... Lentil Soup.... Yes, Lentil soup, just like my ex-roommate's ex-girlfriend would make. Mmmmm. Very nice on a snowy winter's night. My sister-in-law loved the wine and the Saltimboca Pollo. I loved the Chicken, Ziti & Broccoli. I loved it even more when she picked up the tab. Very knowledgable staff, friendly and accomodating. Go early or on a weekday to avoid the crush. Large family groups seem to frequent this place. You can place a reservation on-line and pick your table too.
(4)Michael K.
While on vacation, wanted to go to Giacomos, but line was way too long so wife and I had dinner here. Service was okay. We shared a Caesar salad and they split it in the kitchen and brought out two half plates, which was nice. They don't have garlic bread, but bring fresh bread to dip in olive oil. Bread was tasty, but would have preferred it if it was warmed. Both our dishes had, according to server, their famous Bombolotti pasta. She described it well -- like wagon wheel pasta, but in long tubes. In both dishes, it was cooked perfectly. We had Bombolotti con Aragosta ($27) which is with shrimp and lobster in a plum tomato sauce. Shrimp were overcooked and the sauce was too salty. Other dish was Bombolotti alla Buongustaia ($19) which is baked with cheese and sausage in red sauce. It was okay, but no big deal. If I rate a place 3 stars, it means I'd probably be willing to go back and give it another try. When in town again I'd certainly try other restaurants and have no reason to go back here.
(2)Rich B.
Fantastic food! From pastas to a their fish special, this place is the real deal. If you want a classic Hanover street retail experience Cantina Italiana is a perfect destination.
(4)Micaela L.
Meh indeed. I went to dinner at Cantina Italiana with my former boss -- she's loved this place for years -- but I found the meal to be unmemorable at best. There are surely plenty of better places to dine in the North End.
(2)Fred L.
Very disappointed after reading such great reviews. I'm in Boston for 3 months for work and have been taking advantage of the top-notch gnocci here that I cannot get in North Carolina. Maybe it was an off night, but my gnocci at Cantina had the texture of the frozen stuff you get at the supermarket and the sauce was just ok. I also tried the mussels in supposedly "spicy" sauce and the bombolotti, and I was not terribly impressed with either. Overall, not a bad restaurant, but with so many other similar choices in the neighborhood I would not go back. If you do go, ask if they have any wine on special. We had a $90 bottle that was on sale for $55. It was definitely the high-light of the meal.
(2)Jess C.
I'm slowly working on trying every restaurant in the North End. Being half Sicilian, I feel that it's my duty. I've only been to Cantina Italiana once, and it was at about 3 in the afternoon, a really random time for a big pasta meal. The service wasn't great, a little unfriendly and slow, but it was around shift change, and I think she was busy with other things. The decor is cute. A little cheesy, but cute. The whole back area of the place is big, comfy-looking booths, but I sat at the round table in the front window, so I don't know how comfy they really are. Bread was good. Olive oil was good. Gnocchi was absolutely fabulously wonderful. It was a really simple handmade gnocchi in a creamy tomato sauce, and it was everything I was looking for and more. A nice spongy texture to the gnocchi, and the sauce was absolutely perfect. Just positively scrumptious.
(4)Melissa C.
The only reason I would come to Cantina Italiana is because compared to a lot of the smaller North End eateries, it is easy to seat a large, unorganized party there on short notice. Last week I went for dinner and was not impressed with neither food nor service. Being Italian, there is one big criteria I must first assess before talking about any other aspects of the experience...the sauce. Alas. The sauce is very bland. You can tell it's "homemade", but they play it safe (or cheap) and use the same sauce in most of their dishes. It needs more herbs, more garlic, more tomato paste, more salt. more spice, more something. Anything. My poor gnocchi were doused in 2 tablespoons of crushed red pepper to compensate. (The pasta themselves were rubbery and low on the potato denseness) Other things sampled: caprese salad (actually pretty good, fresh mozzarella and tomatoes, basil, roasted peppers), a merlot-sangiovese blend wine (good, but probably $7 more markup than was necessary). Meat eating friends had chicken saltimbocca (again, underseasoned, chicken bland and dry) fusilli with sausage (apparently, the sausage was hard to find in the dish). Our waitress was a bit odd. She was definitely not happy, grumbling a lot, coming back to ask us things she'd forgotten constantly (because she didn't write anything down), and nearly spilling water, food, etc. on all of us (she seemed a bit drunk or high, if that's possible!). Also the restaurant seems to be a favorite destination for big families with young, noisy children, so consider yourself warned. As per usual with Italian cuisine, there were some veg options on the menu (eggplant parm, pasta dishes) but nothing innovative. And if you are vegan, stay away, as you will be limited to pasta covered in bland sauce and oversteamed veggies on the side.
(2)Chris C.
I had the veal scallopini with a glass of chianti......awesome.....but then I had the Tirmisu with a cappuccino. I was very glad I decided to try it here, as I was debating wether to go to Milke's for dessert. It was absolute HEAVEN! The best I have tried anywhere.
(4)Denise M.
Very disappointing experience. Mediocre food and terrible - absolutely terrible - service.
(1)Amy M.
Wish I could give a 4.5...it's SO close to being a 5 star! (Only suffered by comparison to some other wonderful restaurants during the same trip.) I ended up eating here twice during a week long trip to Boston, first time with a business associate. We received outstanding service, good wine recommendations, great entrees (Pollo Abruzzese--chicken, broccoli and garlic tossed in a white wine, I asked for it with the house made fusilli--wonderful! My associate had the Bombolotti alla Buongustaia (housemade special pasta tossed with marinara and spicy italian sausage.) Both dishes were excellent, as was the cannoli we shared for dessert! Went back with family later in the week after a "fail" at another North End restaurant. Great personalized attention from the owner, excellent white sangria and more great food. Lovely restaurant, I'd be a regular if I lived in Boston!
(4)Shannon S.
Located right on Hanover Street, this old school italian eatery seems a little over-the-top vaudeville compared to the modern, crisp look of Lucca and Fiore down the street. Despite the large neon sign and oh-too-typical Italian name, this eatery surprised me when I walked in since the interior was much nicer than at first it seemed. Despite the exterior, the dark light and intimacy of that "quiet Italian place" was all still there. I dined with my coworkers for restaurant week last week and overall, it was a pleasant experience. Our waiter was very attentive with the drinks. As for the meal itself, it had it's highs and lows, though things got better and better as the meal progressed. My appetizer, the Bruchetta was regrettably soggy and the bread was hidden in a pile of tomatoes. I like my bruchetta a little cheesy and with a strong crunch. This bruchetta was colossally big and quite wet with tomato chunks and olive oil. The pizza I got was very tasty, thin crust, large olives, and artichokes, however, I couldn't help but feel that anyone can do pizza and I'd like it. However, the Cannoli--ah the Cannoli, not only was it crisp and delicious it also had a citrus twist to the sweet ricotta to it that gave it that little extra something over every cannoli I've ever been privy to taste in the North End. Honestly, I'd even say that it trumped any cannoli on Hanover, hands down.
(3)San D.
This was the first Italian place we found when we moved to Boston. It is really good. Some of the pastas are handmade, and the winelist is delish. My fave dish was the Saltimbocca di Pollo...YUM. Every time we had a visitor, we took them to this restaurant for a taste of 'little Italy'. We even had a few work team holiday parties here. It does get busy on a Saturday night though, as do most places on Hanover, so try reservations.
(4)Jennifer L.
Negative 1 star for the service - on several occasions our waiter would come by, ask if we needed anything, and before I could even open my mouth, scurried off. Not cool. Negative 1 star for the noise. Not a good place to have an in-depth conversation. Negative 1 star for the tomatoes on my caprese salad which were PINK and mealy instead of red and juicy. C'mon now...even an Olive Garden in Kansas City can do better than that. Plus 1 star for the delicious gnocchi. Yummm....
(3)A N.
on the expensive side... $60 for a lunch for 2. service was not so great... especially when it came time for cashing out
(2)David F.
My sister and I visited Boston a few weeks ago and were trying to find a place to eat on our first night. We stumbled upon Cantina Italiana by pure mistake...but what a great mistake! We waited approximately 30 minutes for our table with no reservation. During that time we enjoyed a bottle of wine and the bartender was very friendly. Once seated, I ordered the Bombolotti alla Buongustaia and my sister orded the Pollo Abruzzese. Both were fantastic. My only reason for not giving this place five stars is that our waiter was a real jerk. One time he came over and started to ask "Is there anything I can get you?" and before he even finished the sentence, he walked away. Anyhow, I'm not going to dwell on him because the rest of the experience was fantastic. It had a very authentic feel and it wasn't too touristy (except for us!). Definitely recommend this place for a solid italian dining experience.
(4)Keith S.
kind of disappointed. While the food was good,the service was lacking. We hit this place on a Saturday night- had reservations but still wanted a half hour. The staff seemed to have success syndrome- that feeling that business will come no matter what so being friendly isn't a required part of the job. There was a group of six of us and we requested separate checks- when traveling- this is usual business. I've worked in restaurants for 25 years so I know the other side of that- what an inconvenience but certainly something that is a part of doing business. We had to ask for bread (in an Italian restaurant)-can you imagine? Our food took a while and we were never offered dessert. I had the feeling the server just wanted us out of there since at last she said she had time to get us separate checks. My food- I had the calamari for an appetizer. It was a bit overcooked and chewy. I know that if prepared well- it doesn't have to be chewy. The red peppers served with the calamari were spicy but delicious. The dinner was pasta with a bolognase sauce and it was awesome. The bill for both items and a glass of wine was $40. I would not have blinked had it not been for the attitude we got from the server. I had actually researched what restaurant we were going to since we were all out of town. I had read in a book about famous restaurants in the little Italy's of the US and this one stood out. Since I had made the recommendation and I'm a food guy- I felt a little pressure. Again- a disappointment. Hopefully this was just a bad night and an isolated incident.
(3)Wayne M.
Solid meal and drink. I ordered the chicken parm dinner, it wa bland at first, however as I got to appreciate the homemade tomoato sauce and bread that complimented it, it was rather enjoyable and declicious. Also ordered a Hoegarden beer and it was served at about 65 degrees and it was excellent. The bartender Zack was very pleasant and personable. He sparked conversation and was attenative to me and the waitstaff who relyed on him to make their drinks for their dining room customers. Zack also recommended some favorites and described them very well and mentioned some of his personal favorites. Good choice for the North End. Price was reasonable, 2 premioum beers, bread, meal, and good conversation cost 31.00. Only reason I didn't rate 5 stars is because I would need a WOW factor when I ate a meal to rate that high of score. Well worth a try! Another benefit of this establishent is that it was very cozy on this 32 degree Winter day. Give it a try!
(4)Tara M.
I prefer this restaurant over others in the North End for its great ambiance. It is cozy and you have plenty of space to yourself. We got four different entrees between us and all were delicious. The wine was great as well. Their Ameretto cake was TO DIE! So so good!
(4)Frank D.
We visited our old favorite on New Year's Eve, and came away sadly disappointed. I was a regular for many years, but hadn't dined there for about two years. This place has changed. The warm greetings are gone, and the wait staff has lost its Italian charm. Our server seemed to be a recent recruit from Taco Bell, with a phony enthusiasm for the menu and limited serving skills. Our meal was presented erratically and inattentively. While inexperience can be forgiven, there is no excuse for cold coffee and dirty fingernails. The special antipasti, a combination of speck ham, mozzarella di bufala, and marinated vegetables was quite good, even with the grocery store bread that accompanied it. A lobster special was unremarkable, and my all-time favorite, Bombolotti con Aragosta has slipped. It is still wonderfully seasoned and flavorful, but skimpy. A $26 entrée should include more than a bit of knuckle meat and few U-20 shrimp. The lobster special at $32, presented a half a chicken lobster, with a couple littlenecks tossed in. Our dessert items and after dinner drinks each arrived separately at about 5 minutes intervals from various servers. And no, it wasn't busy at all compared to a few years ago. It seems to me that the owner has lost interest in the Cantina in favor of his namesake restaurant (Ristorante Fiore) down the street. I'd suggest that he restore the Cantina to its former self, or sell it to someone who cares. It was a wonderful landmark that should always be prominent member of the North End.
(2)Jana O.
I absolutely love this place. It's a 'no frills' atmosphere, but the food is outstanding! I salivate just thinking about going to the Cantina :) Highly recommended for a comforting, authentic italian dinner!
(4)Carol P.
Love The Cantina...I was reccomended by a couple people and had a great experience the few times i have gone.i went there on my anniversary and it was so much fun.They had a guy singing in italian and playing the accordian.Great Food and Great Service!
(5)Tony P.
really, four and half stars - - - perhaps the marinara sauce could be a little more dramatic. Other than that, great stuff-- mussels were top notch and came with a killer little red tomato sauce that was top-notch-- it might be a little crass, but I used my bread for that sauce. Their bread is excellent, their house red is above average. Eggplant parm was very very good and I will definitely be back. I brought my kids and the waiter suggested a simple pasta dish with shrimp that my kids enjoyed. A real nice place to totally go back to . . .
(4)Lisa R.
This is my favorite date restaurant with my boyfriend. I love this place. So cute and quaint and the food is AMAZING. They only serve their pizza at lunchtime unless you sit at the bar or this cute little table in the window for dinner. Dare I say it is extremely close to that authentic Italian pizza I miss so much and the bartender is SO nice. Well worth a trip out to the North End.
(5)Laura S.
It was good, nothing to write home about but we got in the door before the rush and the prices were reasonable. Service was a little bit rough in terms of the hospitality but didnt impact our positive experience. I wouldn't run back but would go again if invited. Would like to try one of the other 90 Italian restaurants in the North End first.
(3)Daniel P.
For various reasons, I generally don't go into town for Italian food, but I went to this restaurant for a family dinner with 7 people to celebrate a special occasion. My sister had recommended Cantina Italiana by giving it the backhanded recommendation of being 'a bit heavy on the decor, but the food is really good,' and true to her description, after the meal everybody came out pleased, which, if one was playing odds, would be unlikely for such a large group. The waiter was very attentive without being overbearing, and the food was great. Furthermore, the wine recommended by the waiter was a nice compliment to the dinner. If I lived close by I might think about eating here more often, but even still I rate this place high enough to visit again the next time I feel like having an Italian meal with friends in the city.
(4)Susan M.
Their Gnocchi is to die for. Great atmosphere for two or for a group of four or more. It has to be one of my favorite restaurants in the neighborhood.
(5)Greg G.
I want to give this place a 5, but i really hesitate to give any place a 5. Cantina Italiana is a little bit down hanover street past mikes pastry. It doesn't get as much traffic as all the other places, so it's not as busy. I got a table with no wait for 6 people on a friday night. The food was absolutely fantastic, and the service was excellent. Great wine selection! The prices were actually pretty good for the portions. I had a lobster ravioli that was pretty impressive. I tried everyone else's food, and I wasn't the only one with an excellent meal. The servers and the owner really appreciate your business, and they really make you feel welcome. I look forward to going here again.
(4)Nan S.
Best pasta I've had in Boston thus far. I got the Bombolotti alla Buongustaia, and it was the best pasta I have tasted in so long. This is the description of it on their website "Homemade Bombolotti pasta, tossed with spicy Italian sausage, fresh basil and marinara sauce, topped with parmigiano and fresh goat cheese, baked to perfection". Usually after reading such a mouth-watering description, one often gets disappointed at the real thing, but not in this case. It tasted so fresh and was hot, and the goat cheese went so well with the sauce and sausages. I loved the combination. Their complimentary bread was hard and cold though. Although we had reservations for the night, we had to wait awhile. Our waiter was very attentive to our needs when we sat down. However, it was Valentine's day.... he told us about this bottle of wine and said normally for the bottle it costs $70 but today the restaurant was having a special for it for $45. I looked up the retail price online, and it's only about $17 for a bottle that is a year older than the one we had. I guess I should have known because restaurants hike up the price all the time esp. during V-day, but I didn't like that he had to lie to us about that. For blatantly lying, I am only giving this place 4 stars and not 5 stars. PS) If you're going on some special holiday (e.g. Valentine's Day), you better make RSVPs fast!
(4)brett b.
terrible. awful. do NOT go here... unless you aren't that hungry and can afford to wait eons for your food. came here on 7/4. walk in. dirty table. bad sign... people in table over complaining about long wait for food was foreshadowing. drink needed to be sent back bc didnt come as ordered. took 25 mins for bread then waited over 30 mins for appetizer of bruschetta which looked like it was made by a 5 yr old. whole tomatoes uncut, no basil. we had seen enough - dropped 20 down for the drinks and left in search of a real, clean, attentive restaurant. we were not only party to walk out in disgust.
(1)Lisa M.
After multiple meals at many of the other restaurants in the North End, I always end up back at Cantina. They offer many of the standard fare like parmigiana, marsala, and piccata, but they are so flavorful and well done with really nice cuts of meat, and the pasta is always perfectly al dente. It's the oldest restaurant in the North End, so they hold on to that old world look, which kind of adds to the whole experience. Just don't expect updated and modern here's and it's usually packed, but well worth it for a great meal.
(5)John B.
I've been coming to Cantina Italiana for years now. This has become one of our default standbys in the North End, especially when going out with family from out of town. We've rarely had to wait in line (which when you are dealing with family...) The food. It's certainly not nouveau, experimental or trendy. But it is a solid/consistent offering. It is tasty, traditional, flavourful stick-to-your-ribs Italian. There's something on the menu that will appease even the fussiest eaters (grandpas and little kids). I'm not Italian, but I imagine it's not far off from what someone's Italian grandmother might make for a Sunday dinner. The service is good. Waiters are knowledgeable of the menu, attentive and non-intrusive. It also helps that they throw on the thick Italian accent which adds to the experience of the meal. If you are looking for something more trendy, romantic or progressive menu wise; there are several good options close by. If you are looking for good solid traditional Italian fare, then this is worth the price of admission.
(4)Allison Y.
We visited Cantina Italiana per recommendation of AAA Tourbook. Cantina Italiana offers authentic classic Italian cuisine. Some entrees make use of local favourite ingredients, such as Littleneck clams. The food we ordered tasted good. The overall impression of quality was solid if average. Unsurprisingly, they made a good red sauce. The food was a bit pricey to me, though it might be because the cost of living in Boston is quite high. Alternatively, Cantina Italiana may indeed be over priced. I can't tell for sure, because I am not from local. I don't pay attention to reviewers who complained that the food was not contemporary. Cantina Italiana has been at a historic location since 1931. It makes sense that most customers, especially tourists, expect classic Italian food here. Let the new businesses on the block make up contemporary dishes.
(3)Ashley C.
I recently moved to Boston and this was the first Italian restaurant I went to. Food: Spaghetti allio Scoglio was decent. It was too watery, making it lack flavor. The cheese helped flavor it a little bit, but it still was just ok. Service: Good. Frequently walked by to ask if we needed anything and never failed to fill our glasses of water. There was nothing from dinner that wanted me want to come back here again. Would venture out to the other Italian restaurants in the North End.
(3)Claudia A.
This restaurant recommended by a local,makes it a best kept secret.Open on 1932 by a family from Avelline Italy.Wonderful food and ambience .Locally owned is a most visitTHE BEST TIRAMISU
(4)Michael W.
Ok so used to love this place, then hated it, after yesterday I love it again. The only criticism is that you should serve a caprese salad unless you have in season garden fresh tomatoes! The calamari was also pretty average but our entrees were excellent, the service was good and the price was about right. I had the Vitello fiore, the veal was tender and perfectly cooked. My oldest had the gnocchi and he loved it, everyone enjoyed their meals!
(4)G. B.
Excellent....make reservations you will not be disappointed. Very fresh authentic Italian food at its best. Fantastic professional service.
(4)Morgan D.
(October 24, 2014) Bad. Bad Italian. With no flavor. Over priced. Honestly, it was tough to find a place to eat in this part of Boston for lunch, and we sure did not pick a good one. We thought you cannot truly mess up pasta, but even the salt shaker on the table couldnt bring this pasta back to life. Service was awkward. Not sure if I would call this a tourist trap, but we felt trapped. Not much more to review. Hoping it was a bad day and we caught them off guard... but I wont be going back to find out!
(1)Kristen S.
The food was creative and delicious. I found the service to be spot on. The prices were reasonable. The ONLY reason I am giving this restaurant 4 stars is because of the noise level. I could not even hear my friend across the table talking. I don't mind a busy restaurant, obviously, but the noise level was the equivalent of a packed bar at 1am. I have to say the tables felt private though, but if you're looking for a romantic date restaurant this would not be it.
(4)Eileen N.
I hope this passes the guideline for reviews so that people can read this. Last Friday night I invited my daughter and her very talented ball-player boyfriend (sorry can not say the team) to join me and my youngest daughter, who is only 4, by the way, out to an early (5:30) dinner in town (Boston). We decided to head over to the North End where a good hearty meal is pretty much guaranteed. We strolled along Hanover Street looking at menus and finally decided to go with and old stand-by...The Cantina. From the moment we entered the establishment I felt uneasy. The staff was staring at us. I had to take a second look at myself and my 4yr old to be sure we did not forget our pants or something...lol..seriously..it was that obvious. We all looked decent. Last time I had been there I did not recall a dress code. My daughters and I were in casual dresses and her boyfriend was wearing casual shorts (not sweats) and a nice short sleeve shirt. The place was completely empty except for one family of 5 at a table in the main dinning room. I did not look long enough to see the dynamic of the group.I was too hungry to care. We approached the hostess and asked for a table for 4. Was this rocket science? Was this question so difficult that she had to run and get the manager (possibly owner)? Apparently it was...lol the two of them stood there flipping the seating book pages back and forth for a good ten mins before they decided where to us in their empty establishment. She (the hostess) led us to a table in the back dining room, again empty, and sat us at a table that was closest to the kitchen door. In fact half of the booth was modified and made smaller to accommodate the swing of the door. The table was also set for two people. We stared at each other for a moment in total disbelief...What? was she kidding? We asked for another arrangement and she went back to the manager and then led us to a second table of the same size only without the modification. In disgust, we politely excused ourselves and left. What was the problem with us? We were clearly not vagrants, low -lifes, or a mess in body odor...why would they not give us a proper table? Why were we given the cold shoulder? I was baffled. At this point we all just wanted to eat. So we walked up a block to Fanchesca's and were seated at a beautiful window seat overlooking Hanover street. The waitress was rude and obnoxious, but the food was good and the table was plenty roomy enough to accommodate us. So what was the deal with Cantina? I can not say for sure, I can only guess. I pondered the thought that maybe they had reservations for every single other table in the place, or they were expecting a huge influx of large parties. Still, it was only 5:30pm and we had a 4 yr old, how long could we possibly stay? I think we spent less than an hour in Fanchesca's. Thats about all my little one can take sitting still. Then the light bulb went on!!!! I took another good look and us and realized what the problem must have been and it made me want to vomit up my $36 Cod dinner. My daughter's very handsome, smart, funny, talented, clean-cut, and kind hearted boyfriend is black. That very thought in my head made me choke back tears and want to go back and give them a piece of my mind. I will NEVER, EVER even look at that place ever again. What are they in the dark ages? I have lived in Boston all my life, my daughter has been seeing this young man for almost two years. We have never been so poorly treated. I suppose there is an odd chance I may be wrong and there is a logical explanation, but I doubt it. I can not stop anyone from patronizing this dump. The food may be good, but you will eat it at what price? Well, you won't see me or any of my family anywhere near this place.
(1)Philip M.
My partner and I found this place while walking the Freedom Trail in Boston. We wanted good Italian for lunch but many places charged the same price for lunch and dinner. This place had reasonable lunch prices and a charming atmosphere. We arrived at 145pm on a Friday so there were only a handful of people seated. We ordered the calamari appetizer and it was delicious. Fresh with good seasoning. My partner ordered the chicken parmigiana and I had the pizzeta Quattro stagioni. Both were excellent! The best pizzas are made with farina from Italy and this tasted like it was made with that key ingredient. The crust was thin and crisp, the kind that results from a terra cotta oven. Antonella was our server and was excellent! A very pleasant lunch experience!!!
(4)Chris M.
Oddly, about the foremost reason my companion and I swung by Cantina Italiana was time. We were about to catch a plane to Portugal (the Azores to be specific), had about three hours before takeoff, and right within out immediate field of vision was Cantina Italiana. In hindsight, I am glad we did. Coming from the West Coast, great Italian restaurants aren't easy to come by, especially in the Pacific Northwest. I don't remember the name of my dish, but the sauce was tomato-based, the pasta homemade, and the protein a combination of all the high-end stuff that comes out of the ocean--scallops, lobster, some whitefish. Although it was more than I should have eaten, letting something so delicious go untouched would have been criminal. Ditto for my companion's wild mushroom risotto. Our dessert sampler was awesome. Our waitress forgot to bring my amaretto, which wasn't a big deal. But as I exited the restaurant she yelled for me to come back, and pushed a very generous shot in front of me, compliments of the house. Now that is service! Just go.
(5)Patrick M.
Made our second visit to this old school Italian joint in the North End and it was a very good meal. Our waiter Sal did a great job and we like the old school atmosphere from Max on the Host stand to the decor. But we really come here because it's very good food and not a snooty, stand in line, hipster joint with hundreds of tattoos and attitude. Hat tip to the kitchen for turning out a very good dinner. We will be back.
(4)Emily C.
This place was one of very few restaurants in the North End still seating for Friday night dinner service. Need I say more? The food was pretty unremarkable, which was sad because the prices were not (average price of $13 per appetizer, $20+ per entree). We ordered three appetizers to share: Crostini e Gamberi Calamari Fritti Meatballs All three were quite bland. The calamari was not crispy and the vegetables that came with the crostini were a bit greasy. I have had better meatballs heating up frozen ones at home. Our waiter attitude was also not very welcoming. I don't think he smiled even once, and his tone of voice was quite curt. I have been to many restaurants around Boston, and this was one of my most negative experiences with a wait staff. Looking at other peoples' reviews, it seems like this place has a pattern of being discourteous to customers. Overall, nothing remarkable. There are better options in the area.
(3)Kristen M.
I have been going here since I was little with my family. They always have good food. The service is always good. This place is the best for good quality Italian food that does not feel too fancy. I think this might be the oldest Italian restaurant in the north end? It's because it has amazing food and good service. It is NOT the hippest place around but when I'm eating a huge bowl of pasta, that's preferable!
(5)Gigi E.
We were greeted by Max (Maximilian), the owner. Rather than sit in the dining room, we asked to sit at the only table by the window at the bar. He cordially agreed and we asked for recommendation for a light evening meal. First he brought a wonderful red wine blend (not on the menu-yum!). He suggested few different options (crostini, aged beef with arugula, and caprese); then we said perfect, one of each. All I can say is we loved all three, making yummy sounds and fighting for the last bite of each. I can't even describe the fabulous dessert sampler - wow! Great service, great food, relaxed atmosphere. 5**
(5)lawrence W.
Food was just ok. Service could use some help. Went for lunch and was seated fairly quickly in an empty restaurant but after that it was like pulling teeth to get our food order in. After placing a drink order it took them close to 20 minutes to bring them out. Won't recommend.
(2)Joshua G.
Went to Cantina Italiana with friends that frequent the restaurant. They love the food and atmosphere! I can now say I agree! The atmosphere is homey and cute:) definitely an Italian feel. The servers were all very friendly and helpful! The servers also knew the menu well and my water glass was never empty!( always a good test of a restaurant ). Drinks were great but a bit pricey. I had a Red berry spritzer with fresh muddled lime and Red berry Ciroc Vodka. It was excellent but was $14. My partner had a lemon-cello martini that was excellent and was $ 12 . We had a house special anti pasta with roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, olives, prosciutto and a special Mozzarella cheese that was creamy on the inside. It was excellent! ( I believe it was burrata mozzarella). For my main course I had Eggplant and a side of Asparagus. The Eggplant was thinly sliced breaded and layered. Topped with Cheese. It was excellent but small. It did not come with pasta. ( not sure if that's the norm ) The sauce was very light and had a nice flavor! The asparagus was grilled and seasoned well! Over all I would say Cantina Italiano is an excellent Restaurant that anyone would enjoy! I will definitely return and I recommend you try it!
(4)Meredith F.
Gotta say I couldn't really find anything to criticize at this place. We stopped in on a hot summer day and they had plenty of seating and air conditioning. The menu was standard, interesting, and had enough fairly-priced lunch options. I had spaghetti with calamari in a plum tomato sauce (I prefer marinara but the plum tomato sauce was actually fine) and my boyfriend had baked rigatoni with sausage and goat cheese, which he also enjoyed. Server was friendly and let us switch seats after one of the seats was saggy. Lunch was good, prices were very normal. Yum!
(5)Lauren H.
The food here is out of this world, and our server was hilarious. We wanted to take him home with us. We were in a rowdy mood, being on vacation and all, and he was right there with us joking around. Came in for lunch and it was pretty dead. I'd have to say this was not our first choice of places to eat, but I'm so glad we ended up here. Most of the other restaurants were closed I'm guessing because no one comes to the north end for lunch on a monday. The decor is definitely a little outdated and could use some freshening up. The bathroom smelled like someone died in there. They need one of those wall air fresheners most restaurants have. The place doesn't look that gourmet at first glance, but the food comes out looking like it came from the highest end gourmet restaurant in the nicest part of town. Plating is fabulous, and the taste is even better. I settled on the Rigatoni with broccoli and chicken. It was in a white wine cream sauce. Oh. My. God. My taste buds were dancing. The wine in the sauce just took it to another level. The pasta tasted home made. I could sing about this pasta it was so good. The chicken marsala was also excellent if that is your go-to dish. The chicken parmesan also stood out. The tomato sauce had that extra kick of amazingness, and the cheese was baked on perfectly. If I had a dollar for every time someone said, "you HAVE to go to ________ in the North End and get a cannolli" I would be rich. So we had to try to cannoli here. Again, the plating was fantastic. The cannoli itself fell a little short. It was unique and had a hint of lemon in the creme, but otherwise it was kind of meh. I'm dying to come back here and have the food again, but alas I will have to wait until next year when we visit family again. So... please go so that I can live vicariously through you. :)
(5)Paige C.
Okay so my parent and I tried this place because some friends of our highly recommended it . There are soooo many cute places to dine in the North End and this one did not exceed my expectations . sadly. It was more the ambiance I did not care for especially when comparing it to some of the other restaurants in the area. They had cold bread and not super impressed with the menu . But I also need to say I don't crave Italian food but know there are some perhaps better options in the north end. However .... Our waiter was so great and we still had a good time .
(3)Alisha W.
Everything here is authentic and excellent! The Fettuccine Alfredo is by far the very best I have ever had! The Red Sangria is incredible, as is the Tiramisu. We specifically come to the North End to eat here and it's never been disappointing!
(5)Jhubin M.
So I'm sure that this isn't the best Italian food you can get in Beantown, but it is easily the best Lasagna I have ever had; and I have eaten my fair share of lasagna! They don't have a full bar, but have an array of different drinks that you can enjoy. The Mrs and I had an amazing meal that didn't break the bank. Would highly recommend this place.
(4)Chris L.
I can't speak for the quality of the food, but I can comment on the exceptional service I received at Cantina Italiana. My family and I stopped in here for a few drinks before our reservation time at another restaurant in the area (is that bad...?). While we were slightly cramped near the bar with a number of guest who had the same idea as we did, the atmosphere was pleasant. Our bartender was quick with our drinks and wasn't offended by our lingering in the doorway of the restaurant. I was quite surprised that the wait staff didn't get offended by our reluctance to making ourselves too comfortable. They were incredibly understanding of our casual stay at the bar. This type of patience and service can be hard to find in the North End, and I commend the staff here on their phenomenal appreciation for the customer. Because of this alone, I plan on returning to Cantina Italiana and hopefully enjoying a meal here!
(3)Dr D.
The food is okay but it is very overpriced. I had Lesagne, which was pretty good, but not worth $28. My wife's seafood pasta was mediocre with overlooked seafood. They are very good at trying to upsell, to the point where it becomes a bit over the top. If it was half the price I would consider going back, but it isn't good enough to warrant the premium prices.
(3)Bernadette S.
Rewind ten years, to a time when I was a young college student in Boston on a date with my boyfriend. We found Cantina Italiana using some restaurant review site that predates yelp and whose name I can no longer remember. Cantina was highly rated, so we checked it out. Well, on that date, we had a pretty damn fabulous meal. And so it became one of our favorite date spots. When we moved back to NJ, we regularly took road trips to Boston to dine at Cantina. Then we moved to Chicago and had not dined there for six years. This is going to sound dramatic, but I literally craved Cantina's pasta. I've compared every Italian restaurant since to a Cantina, and none tops it in my book. Their pasta is so fresh and their sauces so tasty. Is this the best Italian in the world and about to win Michelin stars? No. But it is definitely my favorite in my book. Maybe it's the sentimental value that elevates it, but this is truly my favorite restaurant. Back to present day, my husband took me up to Boston to celebrate our anniversary. Saturday night's reservations: Cantina Italiana. (Btw - reservations are a must here on the weekends, otherwise, be prepared to wait in a cramped bar) The restaurant still has the same tacky neon sign outside (which to my disappointment, was not on), and the same old-fashioned decor (not in a trendy vintage-y way either), and same old booths with odd spindles at the top. I suspect this place has never seen a make over - and I kind of hope it never does. We ate mussels and calamari for appetizers. They were just as good as we remembered. The mussels are in a great light red sauce, which is perfect for dipping bread. The calamari is tender and has a bit of spice packed in. We had homemade bombolotti pasta dishes for dinner. I enjoyed the one baked in a red sauce with spicy sausage and goat cheese (my favorite!) and my husband had a whole bunch of seafood. It was absolutely delicious! I'm eagerly awaiting my next trip to Boston, so we can once again feast at Cantina.
(5)E F.
Excellent!! 'nuff said!! Had Lasagna al Forno, meatball appetizer, lobster pasta, shrimp with wild mushrooms in a Marsala sauce. I don't remember the exact names of the dishes... it was all great!
(5)May C.
Fantastic. My boyfriend and I intended to go to another restaurant that was across the street. But it had a ridiculously long line that went around the block so we decided to give this restaurant a try. And boy did we make the right choice! We walked in at just the right time. A couple just left and it only took two minutes for us to get a table. The atmosphere is great. It's very dim in the restaurant but very cozy. Food is also delicious. Really amazing actually. I got the Pollo Abruzzese and my boyfriend got a broccoli rabe and sausage pasta dish. Mine was really good, but I loved my boyfriend's dish and so did he. I usually hate broccoli rabe, but it tasted soo good in his dish. Service is spectacular as well. It was a packed house, but our server did everything out of his way to cater to our needs. We never waited too long for anything. Has a great sense of humor too. Overall, 5 star quality and I will definitely be back when I'm in Boston again!
(5)Stephanie B.
This restaurant was recommended by a friend. Although I trust her, my initial impression was eh. The atmosphere was so outdated and dull. The booths were so tacky - not at all inviting. I was with a fairly large group and I wanted to leave but they didn't. With that said we had a really nice time and the food was pretty good. The menu was just okay. The wine list was pricey. The service was very good and overall we all enjoyed ourselves. I disagree with the $$ I'd say more like $$$.
(3)Kurt S.
Tried to go to Giacomo's but the line was around the corner. We had been to Cantina Italiana before and it was pretty good. This place seemed empty on a Friday night but we found out later that the back section was pretty full. They should seat people towards the front to give the impression that it's crowded. Others in my group enjoyed their meals. I got the Bombolotti alla Buongustaia. It wasn't bad, not as flavorful as I expected it to be. The homemade pasta was good. Wish I had gotten the Chicken Saltimbocca like the last time I came. Not a bad option if the most popular places are full.
(3)Michelle H.
This might be my favorite place in the North End (and that's saying a lot). We typically sit in the bar, so I can't say too much about their table service, but the bar service is always fast and friendly. The food is the most important part though and it's amazing! The beef carpaccio with goat cheese is to die for and they usually have great app specials too. Their pasta is consistantly good, especially the lasagna. Skip the line at Giacomo's and go across the street to Cantina!
(5)Paul L.
Went to this place july 4th with my family who came from the west coast. We chose this place because the good reviews, some bad, but the extensive menu to choose from. I got the mussels and spaghetti pasta and it was amazing! I had at least 20+ mussels and amazing light red sauce with fresh tomatoes. My parents had an amazing spinach salad and macaroni. The shrimp and spinach salad is a must order here :) Great food, nice place and great server. The decor is nice but yet again, the decor doesn't make or judge how your food taste :)
(5)A Ne D.
Delicious!! Best eggplant !! The host was able to get us in right away even though they were super busy. The waiter was great! He was very quick and efficient!
(5)Mel B.
I had no problem with the food. The food was decent. However the manager was extremely rude and unprofessional. There was a queue that day and a few guests cut in front of us and we let Sarah know. She scoffed at us and turned the other way. I talked to her once again and and let her know I was upset. She basically told me off and said that it wasn't exactly her problem. I'm probably never coming here again just because of her.
(1)Bill L.
Lucky night #2 in the north end, we walked in and found two open seats at the bar. Lucky for us they served dinner at the bar. We decided to ask about pizza since that's what was on my palette. Started with a bottle of wine and LJ had her usual vodka with pink lemonade. We ordered a Caesar salad to start us off and was told by the bartender to order the pizza quickly if we wanted one. Service was good at the bar and everything flowed nicely. Good atmosphere and steady customers coming thru, I'd recommend the place for sure!
(4)Dawn I.
We hosted an Italian girl for a few weeks this summer. On a Friday we found ourselves in Boston and she inquired about how Italian the north end is. We walked around - checked out some grocery stores, and misc stores and also looked at all the menus posted outside for our inspection. She chose this restaurant for dinner. We decided to eat early as to miss the evening crowds. We did not need reservations. We were greeted warmly. As soon as our student started speaking Italian we could tell our server was excited. Piero was the best. He tried to subdue his hands, but as soon as he realized he was among friends, he let his hands go. We started with the bread and oil. The oil was the best I have ever tasted. Very light but flavorful. Not olive tasting at all. Found out that the Chef changes the brand of olive oil every month highlighting a different region or city. Caprese was next in line. Very fresh and tasty. For the main course we had Cavalitti Quattro Fromaggio, Gnocchi Boscaiola, and Lasagna al Forno. All very very delicious. The red sauce for the lasagna was to die for. I love my sauce recipe but this one makes me jealous. Piero was always attentive making sure our drinks were full and we had enough utensils to share our meals around the table. The atmosphere does seem a bit dated - but that's old world charm. We felt like family. We did watch Piero with other customers just in case it was because of our student that he was this way. I assure you, he was this good to everyone I could see. We did top off our dinner with dessert. Lemon ice served in a lemon "skin" was perfect. Very refreshing. The tiramisu was also very good. We plan on making this our go to place when in town.
(5)Greg J.
Found this spot while traveling to Boston for a wedding. The atmosphere had a old world charm. I was there late on a Sunday night so it was very quiet but the waiter was very attentive. I ordered the seafood special which featured swordfish, muscles, shrimp, and clams over bombolotti and a red sauce. They provided generous portions of swordfish. The pasta itself was a bit heavy and overwhelming so I mainly focused on the fish. I would recommend this place to anyone traveling to the North End of Boston.
(3)Tori M.
Very good food and very friendly service. Love it here. I will be back next time im in boston.
(5)Robert H.
Well, a Two means that I wouldn't go back, and I wouldn't, but it is sort of a tough score, it was by no means terrible. Although I have lived around Boston all my life, I have done very little North End. Thus we sallied forth, live yelping on the new Smartphone. Cantina, and several other places close by, Yelped a 3.5 or so on many reviews, so we gave it a shot. I knew when I started on this North End journey that I would be looking at paying more money than usual, but seeing as this area is supposed to be the Mecca of italian food, I didn't mind. The thing is, it was not a mind blowing experience, not even close. DRAFT BEERS: 3 STARS Bass, Harpoon IPA. MIXED DRINKS: ZERO STARS Beer and wine license only. Come on City of Boston, does this really look like the sort of place where folks are going to sit there and get biffed ? APP SPECIAL: 3 STARS Roasted red peppers and artichokes quite good. Cheese of some sort rather plain. Ridiculously over priced at $ 16. CHICKEN PARM: 2 STARS She was very disappointed. She said the sauce was ultra plain. Again, I think we had rather high expectations. CHICKEN ABRUZZE: 3 STARS. Both our pastas were absurdly al dente. The Abruzze was OK, not a bad dish by any means, but unimpressive. We can get chicken parm at Sonny's in Dorchester for eleven bucks. It could feed two people. It comes with a big honkin salad. It tastes great. What I was looking for here was a different sort of experience, where I would say " Now THAT was a cut above, CHEFS prepared that there". I wonder is this indicative of other nearby establishments. Are these places geared towards suburbanites driving in town for food superior to that in their home towns ? Or are these places geared towards soaking tourists, a one and done "gotcha".
(2)Nina P.
Review is based on the bar experience only. Tom is consistent at providing proactive customer service to locals and out of town guests alike. He is quick, witty, and attentive. I only wish I could say the same for the restaurant or management. I hope they know how lucky they are to have him and how much customers value being able to experience Cantina with Tom. PS: stop in for the Torta Amaretto and smile and smile and laugh with Tom!
(5)Julie R.
I am fortunate to be able to spend 2 weeks in Boston every year. I've tried nearly every restaurant in the North End, but this is the only place I make sure to visit every year, usually at least twice. Best food and great service. See you in a couple of weeks!
(5)Kurt C.
A great place for "true" Italian food with great service. The serving staff was professional, attentive, and timely. Every dish served was tasty, plentiful, and hot to anybodies liking. The environment was quite enough to carry on a decent conversation without any distractions or interruptions. The only challenge throughout this whole dining experience was the lack of parking. However, the quality of food made up for this, along with the company, and good wine. If you are truly a fan of Italian food, and want that good home meal feeling try this place out, you will not be disappointed.
(5)Julia L.
I made the mistake of venturing into the North End without a reservation on a Saturday night. We tried to go to 3 different restaurants and got turned away at the door because we didn't have a reservation. The other few places on my list had super long lines out the door and since it's freezing in Boston in the winter time, waiting outside was not an option. My parents have fond memories of eating at Cantina Italiana and so we walked over and found that there were plenty of empty tables. Not sure if there were seats because it's not a popular place to eat or because this place is larger than other restaurants and had more tables. But we were freezing and starving and decided to sit down at the first place that had a table and so here we were! The mozzarella caprese appetizer had imported fresh mozzarella cheese, plum ripe tomatoes and roasted red pepper drizzled with olive oil with fresh basil on top. This was a very refreshing appetizer and set the landscape for the meal. Even though this wasn't on the menu, I saw the lobster ravioli as an accompaniment to one of the meat dishes and so I asked the waiter to ask the chef if he could make me an main entree of just the lobster ravioli. Luckily, the chef was willing to accomodate my picky eating habits. The ravioli dish was alright. It wasn't horrible but it wasn't spectacular. The pasta didn't taste home-made. The bombolotti con aragosta is a home-made pasta tossed with shrimp and lobster meat in a plum tomato sauce with garlic and olive oil. This was Joe's dish. The bombolotti is a large tubular pasta, it was a little awkward to eat. There was a lot of shrimp and lobster meat which is always awesome. Overall, the meal was good for people looking to get out of the cold but it wasn't the best pasta of my life.
(3)Delilah H.
Kool bar for a beverage!
(5)Jordan N.
By far the best experience with dining I've ever had. Our waitress was more than helpful and very knowledgable with the history of the restaurant. Traditional traits and professionalism was top notch!
(5)Paige O.
Amazing! We went here for the day after Thanksgiving and loved it. The food was amazing, the staff was friendly and the overall atmosphere made you feel like you were right in Italy! Now to the drinks and food, we had a delicious bottle of a Chianti Classico Riserva a little pricey but worth it. Appetizers ranged from the calamari, shrimp, cheese platters, meatballs and were amazing. The dinner was absolutely delicious. Our table of 9 enjoyed a mix of spaghettis, eggplant parmesan, gnocchi, linguine and clams and everyone devoured their meals. I am already thinking of the next time I will be going here!
(5)Kristina F.
I've had great experiences at Cantina. The north end can be a hit or miss and I'm Happy we found ourselves this little gem. It's old school traditional Italian - not like some of the more modern spots in the north end (which I too am a fan of). But Cantina is classic, reliable and delicious. Friendly staff and good food.
(4)Rebecca M.
My boyfriend and I went here based on a recommendation from a bartender at another bar in Boston. We were not disappointed! The place was packed but that makes sense for a Saturday night in Boston, the waiter took amazing care of us and recommended which dishes to get. We started off with calamari and an amazing bottle of wine. Both of our dishes were made with homemade pasta, and homemade sauce. All I know is this place is amazing, the staff great and I cannot wait to go back there again!
(5)Jillian M.
If I could give this restaurant negative stars I would. First off I would just like to say I have given them ample time to write back to me regarding my incident but they of course have not. My family and I went to dinner here on New Year's Eve, which I get is a busy night. We made reservations and were seated right away and our server came over to greet us. The 6 of us ordered drinks and my husband ordered a margarita. My husband after taking a sip noticed a black fly at the bottom of his margarita, how that is even possible we don't know! We waited about 10 minutes to find the server and let him know there was a bug in my husbands drink, he proceeded to leave the drink with the dead fly in it on the table for 20-25 minutes while he got a new one. This is completely unacceptable in my book, my husband was nice enough to say quietly to him that there is a bug in his drink and you leave it on our table for us to stare at for 20-25 minutes to get a new one? Then our server proceeds to take our order, mind you the margarita with the fly is still on the table during all of this! Just what we all want to be staring at 30 minutes later our meals come and I had ordered the Cavatelli Quattro Formaggi and he brought me the eggplant parm. He then asked what I ordered and I told him the baked ziti since I couldn't remember the exact name and then brought over a menu so I could point out which one I ordered which again was the baked ziti/ Cavatelli Quattro Formaggi and then proceeded to tell us that he thought I said eggplant. I should not have to "point out" which item I chose, I know what I ordered and he should not have questioned it. While my family got to dine on their entrees I had to wait another 20 minutes for mine to arrive and by then they were already halfway done if not already done. We were over dinner and did not order dessert but it was shocking to see on our bill was the margarita and my meal. If there is a BUG in someone's drink and it takes 20-25 minutes for you to get that customer a new one, there is absolutely no way that we should have paid for that! I get the meal since I did end up eating it but come on we were nice enough to not make a big deal of it and waited forever for a new one the least you could do is comp a drink or offer a free dessert... something! And of course to top it off I sent the restaurant an email the beginning of January and never heard back from them... shocking! Definitely would not recommend this place to anyone!
(1)Mattias L.
I'm meriting three stars for the food. We didn't get service after sitting down for 15 minutes. No water, no bread, not even a hello. Then, the server wrote down a $20 tip for himself expecting us to pay it. I didn't appreciate that very much.
(3)Tom S.
We had dined a little place around the corner in Boston's Little Italy. We were looking for a place that had a bar so we could have a glass of wine. It's amazing, but most of the restaurants there don't have a separate bar. We saw Cantina Italiana and stopped in at the bar. There were several of the locals there, having dinner at the bar. They convinced us to try the pasta, so we ordered it. It was amazing! Our bartender was fun, energetic and right on the ball as we ordered wine. Wish we had known about this place before we had dinner. Now we know. Our next trip will definitley include dinner here.
(5)Robin O.
8 of us had a wonderful evening -- 3 kids, 1 teen, 4 adults. Our server Noel was fabulous from start to finish, including accommodating our gluten and soy-free needs and splitting a full adult portion of a dish between two kids. We asked for a wine recommendation, and he recommended a wonderful Chianti on the lower end of the price range which was wonderful. Grilled shrimp came out a little later than other dishes, and was promptly comped without us even asking. Relaxed, attentive, friendly, responsive service throughout. And the food was uniformly very good, ranging from frutti di mare to gnocchi with wild mushrooms and prosciutto to lobster and shrimp. We recommend Cantina Italiana highly.
(5)Brad M.
Really good!! A little salty for my California palate but that happens to me often. I wish I could pronounce let alone spell the dishes. My wife had the home made pasta with broccoli robe and a light cheese sauce. Really good and lighter than my backed wagon wheel pasta with home made spicy sausage. Everything was really good, wait staff was very friendly and knowledgeable
(3)Joseph F.
This place was excellent. The service was fantastic, the food came in nice, large portions, the restaurant was clean, and the overall atmosphere was a joy. The chicken parmigiana was the best I've ever had. Also, a good place to watch a world cup game or two. This is a true representation of little Italy
(5)Majkol M.
Went here last night for dinner and had Omar as our waiter, first; Omar was an amazing waiter and knew everything on the menu and was very accommodating and second: food was amazing definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for good traditional Italian good.
(5)Margriet K.
The food was good, but the waiter was very rude. He didn't ask us what we wanted to drink, he just offered water, nothing else. After our main course, he didn't ask if we wanted a desert, he just picked up the plates and said he would bring us the check. The manager of the restaurant tried to save our evening to give us the diner for free, but the evening was already spoiled. We paid for the food and left the restaurant. We will never return to that place again.
(2)Collins F.
This is the best Italian restaurant I have ever been to. Our party of four was actually trying to go to another restaurant that was across the street, but the wait for that restaurant was ridiculous. We saw Cantina Italiana and figured we would try, especially since two of us had already been to the other restaurant. We were stunned by the attention from the staff and the quality of the food. This place is amazing and worth visiting. You will not get better Italian in the North End.
(5)Mark M.
The review would have been four stars if the main course was as good as the salad and bread. The chicken reminded me of school food, rubber texture. The pasta was ok but the sauce was not to my liking. Nice service and atmosphere. If you like salad and bread only this place is for you. One more note, not a full liquor license if a nice cocktail is important to you.
(2)Richard H.
We walked in on a Saturday night at 5:30pm and Cantina Italiana was empty. Initially we took this as a bad sign, but the place slowly filled up. The interior feels a bit old and dark, with booths out of the 70's, but it carried a homestyle Italian restaurant vibe complete with local teens bending over backwards to fill your water glass. The menu was your typical Italian fare at a moderate price for the North End. A large bread basket -practically two whole loaves - is consistently refilled as a traditional Italian restaurant should. I ordered an equivalent to Chicken, Broccoli, and Ziti (around $20), which I found a bit bland. It wasn't bad, but I felt it had been sitting for a while. The others in my party ordered lasagna, which looked good, and a daily seafood special. The seafood special featured a mix of clams, shrimp, and a lobster tail over pasta for a good value, especially for tourists visiting the city and looking for local specialties. I'm not sure if I would return unless I were forced back due to long lines elsewhere. If I'm looking for a tired homestyle Italian restaurant, I'd prefer a cheaper option in the suburbs where portions are large and you can quickly get the staples at a good price. Couples take note: tables to the right as you walk in and adjacent to the street are more romantic than the large rooms in back.
(3)Michael M.
2nd time here. Disappointed. Want to know if the food is going to be amazing at an italian restaurant even before you order? Try the bread. The bread is THE sentinel sign of a great italian restaurant. The bread here........marginal. Plain. Olive oil. No spices. No balsamic. No butter. We should have left! Veal was not great. Marinara was marginal. It's North Beach and we chose......wrong.
(2)Cristina C.
I stopped in one Sunday while at the feast, for drinks and apps with my gal pal. We had a nice time and had some awesome margaritas make by Michael. We sat right at the bar and enjoyed some sititng time before heading back out to the feast area. It was a good time. Def a place to go if you're in the North End.
(3)Kim B.
Greg and I went out to eat in the North End for a date a while ago. He really wanted to go to Providence, because it was "closer", but I pushed through for Boston, and I am glad I did! After taking the LONGEST possible way to get there (Greg didn't know as much as he should of for how to get there), Greg was just hungry and wanted to go some where without a line. On a Friday night, with no reservations, this is usually implausible. I really wanted to go to somewhere based on a reccomendation, but proximity overruled. We chose Cantina Italiana, and had a decent meal. Inside, it was a little cramped and crowded, not leaving much room between tables or for walking. Greg got the Chicken Parm, and I got the meat sauce. The food was your basic Italian, but I wouldn't say it is anything special. It definitely isn't food that screams out "homemade Italian" as many other places in the north end do. I will say the service, and staff were all extremely friendly and attentive, and you could really feel the "family" restaurant vibe. The manager was also going around to every table to ensure a good meal. I would definitely go back to eat on a last minute trip, or maybe just to experience good service, but it certainly is not the best food in town.
(3)Heidi H.
Amazing food great service. Friendly, knowledgable staff. The homemade sausage and pasta is amazing not to mention the sauce!
(5)Andrew E.
This is a very good Italian restaurant. The chicken Parmesan was done just right - lots of flavor with the right amount of breading. My wife's risotto was excellent and my parents' Pollo Gino was fantastic. We were all very surprised that this only had 3.5 stars; it should have at least 4 1/2. Highly recommend.
(5)Marissa S.
Delicious food, reasonably delicious but not amazingly delicious atmosphere, reasonably delicious pricing.
(4)Mike S.
I can't say enough about this place. we love it and go every trip to Boston. It could probably use an "update" on style but the food, drinks and service are always top notch for us. The meats and pasta dishes are made fresh to order and you can tell as the food melts in your mouth.
(5)charles l.
Ok, gals and guys...here we go again. Here's the bottom line. If you're going to charge $20 plus for a dish, which most of them are at that price, you better make sure it's damn good. The food ended up being passable. But at that price there are plenty of other restaurants in the North End that will blow your socks off like an Atomic Fart when you tighten your belt too much. On top of everything, the waiter got my order wrong (no problem ok) but then he blames me for the mistake! I told him clearly in Italian and I guess he had eaten one too many mozzarella balls to admit it. That waiter was about as handy as a back pocket on a shirt. So that's it people of the Bean. Another review from yours truly.
(2)Dee D.
This place is pretty good. The family owned joint had a nice group of waiters and the owner or manager (I can't remember who he was) came up and chatted with us and my parents of course loved that. Especially since my Mom is Italian. Everyone seemed pleased with the food. I don't eat wheat so I was limited with the pasta. I'm not a fan of Italian restaurants in general. So i'm picky with what is available on their menus. Cantina has a moderate sized menu. I ended up eating appetizer foods. The Sangria is made in house and pretty good, maybe too sweet but still tasty. We had a red wine too which i enjoyed. The Service was definitely on point and made you feel like you were in a nice place. They made everyone feel loved and tended too.
(4)Greg W.
Came here because there were lines at other higher rated places. It's not that it was bad - but it was probably just below average. Tried a few different items, not one impressed. The owner is actually Italian though, that's a plus I guess.
(2)Holly M.
Such a good choice for dinner!!! The homemade pasta is just the best :) Sal is such a great waiter!! He gave my mom and I plenty of choices and even helped me pronounce what I wanted to order :) Definitely going to go back here on my next trip to Boston!!
(5)Alan H.
Very underrated on yelp! If I had read the avg review rating before I went I would have never went there. Sooo happy I went. My wife and I stopped in for some wine and cheese and ended up having a delicious lunch! Wine was perfect, lasagne was excellent and service was on point. Far better than the avg rating on here!
(4)Mike C.
Stopped in for a late night dinner - was exactly what we were looking for. We both had the Bombolotti - which was recommended by the bartender. This was a tube shaped pasta with wagon wheel pattern inside. The dish was served in a small iron skillet with a nice sauce and thinly sliced sausage. Great flavor and spice. Hit the spot!
(5)Ashley P.
Not just for tourists! This place is the real deal. Authentic anyone of the oldest in the North End. It isn't some fancy new spot with sleek interior and lines out the door. Five stars for great service! The host was an older Italian gentleman with a great accent and even better mustache. He checked in with us constantly, calling us "Bella!" as we were seated and at one point asking "who is better than you? Nobody!!" The server was knowledgable and attentive. He suggested a reasonably priced wine and gave great recommendations. The house speciality is homemade Bombolotti pasta. Served al dente with excellent sauces. We got the appetizer special which included an incredible, creamy burratta mozzarella. Wow. Definitely worth a visit!
(5)Selena B.
No, this isn't the "nicest" place in the North End, but for food it sure is the B-E-S-T!~~ Chicken Rissotto, Chicken Saltimbocca and a Fruit Sorbet I will say no more - you be the judge.
(5)Giovanni O.
Came here while on a visit from New York. Great food, better service. A very at home feel.
(4)Lauren W.
I've had nothing but good experiences at this restaurant. This is a solid choice if you happen to find yourself wandering around the North End for dinner. The food is solid and the service is incredibly friendly. The drink menu isn't so shabby either- Pineapple mojitos? Yes please. The best thing about the Cantina Italiana is that even on a Friday night, and without reservations, I have never waited to be seated. Zero wait time is certainly worth that 5th star.
(5)Nahid L.
We were in town visiting and our tour guide recommended this restaurant. We didn't explore any other place and decided to eat here and see if it really is as good as the tour guide said it was. The service was good, they seated us quickly and got us some water. BUT the complimentary bread that they brought to the table was cold and this is THE first factor I use to rate a good restaurant especially Italian one...There was no olive oil bottle at the tables...the server brought a big bottle and poured some on a plate and took the bottle away so we had to ask for more oil when we ran out...disappointed with the bread and oil, we waited for our food. As they brought our plates, I noticed a short piece of hair on the edge of my plate...not on the food, just on the edge of the plate...I thought about rejecting the plate, but I've heard horror stories about restaurants messing with your food when you get a little picky (especially knowing you are not a local) so decided not to say anything. Aside from the sanitation issue, the food was ok but nothing exceptional.
(2)Julie J.
My family and fiancée ate at this restaurant one of the nights we were visiting Boston and I feel like we wasted a night coming to this place. The ambiance is just too busy and tiny which I would had been okay with if at least the service and the food would make up for it.... but it did not. The service was messy and forgetful. The food... you can have a better meal at home with something microwaveable. I ordered the bolognese thinking that its a traditional Italian plate and how can that go wrong? It definitely did! It had no taste to it. My fiancée had the florentine steak which was tiny, overcooked, and tasteless as well. The rest of the plates were equally lackluster and small for it being an Italian restaurant. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone who has ever dined at a "decent" Italian restaurant before because this was just not good at all.
(1)Tina J.
The appetizer was amazing. It consisted of fresh imported mozzarella, Italian meats. Unfortunately the rest of the meal was nothing special. The service was a little slow. The pasta and spicy sausage was served extremely hot. Hubby had lobster ravioli.
(3)Mark M.
Very good food and extremely friendly service by all the staff. Choose this for an early dinner to include my two-year-old son since is a family-friendly place. Omar is one of the best waiters in the North End (Carlo at Strega is #1!). Loved the almond cake recommendation for dessert.
(4)Frank C.
My wife & I took the kids into the North End for dinner hoping to have a great meal and keep it kid friendly. Cantina Italiana was our destination...we had a fantastic meal! Fresh made pasta was perfect, the app & dinner specials were outstanding as was the desserts. My 9 and 6 year old can be a handful around dinner time when hungry and our waiter Piero was AWESOME! Very knowledgable about the menu and wine, super friendly and fantastic with the kids! I will go back and ask for him again!
(4)Connie D.
We came here for lunch and weren't disappointed. We had lasagna and a sausage pizza. Both meals were tasty and portions were very large. Our server was attentive and friendly; her interactions with other guests suggest that she's worked here a long time. Prices were very fair for a full service restaurant and we had leftovers to take home for another meal. Would recommend this restaurant.
(4)Jonny C.
I like Italian food - but will rarely choose it as a going out dining experience because I can roughly approximate most Italian in my own cocina. .Questa è una polpetta piccante! However, sometimes when people are in town, and those people's last names end in vowels, you find yourself regrettably on Hanover street ordering a bunch of starch. E solo il modo in cui è This was pretty good, but not awe inspiring. Basic, simple, not particularly creative. Everything about it is very typical North End- the decor, the service, the food, etc. The gnochi was above average, but everything else was forgettable. Good, but forgettable. The real downside was the cost. Clearly not paying attention to menu costs (i never do) but lunch for two couples and a couple of drinks was $216. I was neither wowed by the food's excellence nor did we have leftovers. Just not worth $50+ a person for some pasta and a couple of glasses of house wine. Lascia perdere! *all Italian in this review courtesy of Google translate
(2)Ella B.
Came here based on the yelp reviews, then realized that a lot of them may have been from tourists... and what's not to like when you're traveling? lol... Unfortunately, we are not tourists and come from a place with really good food so Cantina Italiana was a sad disappointment. The service was great, very eager for a Sat. lunch crowd. Full bar, decent wine selection. I felt that our appetizer was a little cold when it came out. The hubs ordered a tomato sauce based dish and it tasted too sweet like ketchup, *sad face*. All in all, two glasses of wine, one app, two dishes, one espresso for a total of $85 with the tip. Again, great service, but not sure that I'd go back when there are so many other choices!
(2)Susan E.
We brought our 3 boys here last night. No wait for a table. Kids can be picky and our waitress was very helpful. My son wanted Alfredo which wasn't on the menu, but she said it would be no problem! Everyone enjoyed their meals which came out very quickly.
(5)Meridith H.
This is an absolutely solid spot in the North End. Like many other good spots, the food is well-executed and there is a solid wine list. What differentiates this particular restaurant (aside from the neon sign out front), are its perks, which are: Really friendly service. I was meeting friends here, and the host was expecting me. From the way I was greeted and escorted to my table, you would have thought I was a guest in someone's home. Cozy atmosphere that lets you maintain a private conversation. I don't know how they accomplished it, but color me impressed. And converse we did, well after the plates had been cleared and the bill paid. The trappings of fine dining without the snootyness; linen napkins, good glassware, highly trained waitstaff, and the ability to accommodate guests who fight through a snowy night in jeans and snowboots to get there. And last but not least, they take credit!
(4)T M.
The food is always great, the drinks are wonderful (try the watermelon martini), and the entire staff are first-rate! They make you feel like one of the family and attend to your every need. This is one of my go-to places anytime I have visitors in town or if I'm too tired to make dinner.
(5)Jeff F.
The only thing I've ever had here that I disliked was Linguine con Gamberi e Limone and that's not on the menu. If you're coming here, get the Bombolotti - doesn't matter if it's the Bombolotti alla Buongustaia and the Bombolotti con Aragosta or even Bombolotti with sauce - do it! - Bruschetta is simple and great like Carlos Cucina in Brighton Allston, - Caprese is solid - not the best in the north end, but solid - Mussels in their red sauce are ridiculous - must order - Anything with their fusilli is going to be a great call I'm officially putting this place on a once a monthly or bi-monthly rotation.
(4)Alyssa B.
Delicious, good service, and conveniently located. I lived upstairs from Cantina for 2 years and they are consistently busy. Their lasagna is my absolute favorite! The reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is that they have a bartender who is a total dud. He didn't say one word to my roommate or I the entire time we were at the bar, and acted like we were an inconvenience. Besides that, everything else is great!
(4)Christina M.
Great meal, lovely service. We had our 3 very lively kids with us and the waitress kept them in check. Really enjoyed the eggplant parm. Would definitely go back.
(5)Jasmin E.
Good menu selection and well priced. Sangria is delicious . We had the mussels and shrimp for appetizer, chicken Marsala and eggplant Parmesan for entree. The eggplant Parmesan was ok, the sauce is good but overall a bit dry. The place looks small in the front but extends and has extra seating in the back (not sitting next to each other, we had a booth). We didnt feel rushed and got seated within 20min of getting there without reservation. Total was $200 for 4 ppl, for 2 apps, 4 entrees, two sides, pitcher of sangria, 2 glasses of wine, and a dessert. Good deal for everything we got.
(4)Jenn V.
My friend and I went to the North End last night not realizing it was a feast night and many restaurants were packed. Not wanting to wait for an hour or more to get into some of her favorite places we stopped in at Cantina Italiana since it was one of the few places that had seating available at the bar and open to the street to enjoy the nice night. We should have know there was a reason it wasn't packed, too. It seemed a bit expensive but I was really hungry for some good food and their specials, both seafood, looked great. They were out of both but I was assured the chef could make me any Risotto I wanted yet everything I asked for he conveniently couldn't make so I ordered a shrimp and lobster pasta off the menu and my friend ordered calamari, plus cocktails. They served us bread and olive oil as starters. The bread was cold and not worthy of an Italian restaurant and the olive oil was bitter with no flavor or spices (Bertucci's does better with theirs). When our food finally arrived I was disappointed by the portion and quality of my food. $28 for some odd shaped pasta that should never be served with a wine sauce, 4 or 5 medium sized shrimp and a couple of bite sized pieces of lobster that probably didn't even equal a claw. Most of the lobster meat was minced so small it was lost in the sauce that couldn't be scooped up with the tube shaped pasta. My friend's calamari arrived after my pasta and was so anemic looking it didn't even look fried, though it was because it was so greasy it was inedible, so she sent it back. When we got our bill they had the audacity to tell us the manager had comped us for the calamari!! As far as I'm concerned it should have been deleted from the bill, not "comped" since it was inedible. All I can say positive is that the bartender was attentive, if a bit overly so, and the drinks were good. That wasn't enough to make me return, ever.
(1)R D.
Cute, medium-sized place in the midst of the North End. We took the Green Line to Haymarket and walked up to reach the restaurant. Upon entering to claim our reservation, a friendly gentleman greeted us in Italian and proceeded to speak Italian since he noted our Italian name, haha. The atmosphere was very comfortable and even slightly romantic even though not everyone there was on dates. The waitress was very welcoming and charming. Now on to the food. We had some calamari fritti for an antipasto, which was good enough but not excellent. For the main course, I ordered the pollo saltimbocca, which consisted of grilled chicken breasts topped with prosciutto and mozzarella, topped off with a marsala mushroom wine sauce. I thoroughly enjoyed my dish along with a side of pasta. If you see the saltimbocca on the menu, get it! My mother ordered veal parmigiana (I warned her not to because that dish can really be hit-or-miss). This did in fact turn out to be a mistake on her part. Her dish arrived with a piece of veal that could be compared to a pancake (size-wise and thickness-wise). She felt badly when the waitress asked if everything was ok but not wanting to offend our fellow Italian, she told her she was simply full and that was why she couldn't finish the plate. Even charming places like this that have some great dishes may sometimes fail once in a while so I would give them a pass this time. I would definitely come back since the service was great and the ambience was very welcoming, especially on a rainy night.
(4)K K.
Visiting Boston for the first time it was necessary to make a Mecca to the North End for some delish Italian. After some internet searching we decided to either visit MammaMaria or here- the owner of another restaurant suggested here so we went with that recommendation. I think we are somewhat spoiled already to "authentic Italian" since we are NYC natives. But nonetheless the food was delish, the service authentic, and the atmosphere genuine. The seating could use some updating but once I settled in I was able to enjoy a good meal with good atmosphere and nice solid staff. We had a lovely appetizer of prosciutto and fresh mozzarella/ricotta, artichokes & olives, a Caesar salad, the chicken with a Marsala wine sauce & mushrooms, fresh made gnocchi in a tomato cream sauce and the special which was a shrimp & lobster risotto. All was spot on. North End was as good as we were told and the ambiance was lovely.
(4)Eric R.
So, I have never eaten anywhere other then the bar. I have never ordered anything but the gnocchi in gorgonzola. I don't see anything wrong with either of those things. The gnocchi is to die for. It's handmade, and the gorgonzola sauce is spectacular. I eat there alone, so the bar is just fine. The bartenders are always nice, and if you go on a Tuesday, chatty. The food is great. The people are nice. The atmosphere is what you'd expect from the North End. A little kitschy but not tacky. I love it here and will go back every time i have a couple hours to kill, and noone to eat with.
(4)Seth F.
Great place. Definitely raising the expectation of the restaurants in the N. End of Boston. The risotto was spot on!
(4)Eric H.
Food and service were outstanding. All the pasta is homemade, and we adored the Tiramisu as well!
(5)Brian T.
Family Oriented Restaurant which has been around for FOREVER. I had the special and was very satisfied. it was worth the 15min wait.
(4)Fr T.
Horrible . . .. The place i had wanted to eat at had an extremely long wait so we decided on the restaurant across the street which was this one big mistake. Very Americanized the pasta was soft and mushy like it had been cooked the day before the waiter was not very nice when I asked him if the Mozzarella was fresh his response "no one uses fresh mozzarella." I'm from NYC and yes some restaurants use fresh mozzarella ! ! ! He didn't want to be bothered with my questions and rushed us out I was nearly done with my food was still eating and the waiter already cleared our dishes. With tons of other Italian restaurants on the block i would never eat here again it.I
(1)Vince M.
Met some new friends on a Sunday afternoon here. From beginning to end an excellent experience. Homemade Sangria, wonderful salads and entrees. Our waiter, Omar, arranged the appetizers and salads for sharing. All the entree's were finished and shared. A terrific Sunday afternoon.
(4)Matthew P.
We were in the need for a table to seat 7 on a Saturday Night in the North end and with no reservation (wasn't my idea). We checked several restaurants and put our names on the wait list for a few of them. Finally came up to Cantina Italiana and they said they could seat us in just a few minutes. Score. The wine list was good, naturally. Lots to choose from and with all different price ranges. We decided on a $35 bottle of red wine and it was pretty good. It took them a while at the beginning to take our order. We had a few servers, busers, and I think even the manager, before the task of working our table fell to an older gentlemen. The menu was extensive and very typical of a North End restaurant. The prices were also comparable (roughly $20 a plate). I decided to get the calamari for an appetizer and the gorgonzola gnocchi for my entrée. The calamari was disappointing. It wasn't as crispy as they had obviously tried to make it and there really wasn't much food on the plate; mostly garnishes. Now I'm obsessed with gnocchi and I have tended to stop getting it at places because no one can seem to do it right. That being said, I was pleased with the dish. The cheese was very rich and the gnocchi was freshly made. It almost melted on my tongue. I tried to save some for the next day but I couldn't help myself and ate it all. It could have been better, but after a few gnocchi disasters I have to lower my standards. There's nothing wrong with the place but there's nothing outstanding either.
(3)Joseph Z.
Coming from Brooklyn I had high hopes for this seemingly authentic old school restaurant. However, it seems that it pretty much relies on the tourist trade to push mediocre food onto customers they will probably not see again. My girlfriend had a rigatoni dish that was OK. My lasagna tasted like something that came right out of a frozen dinner. An overcooked spongy multi layers of noodles caked together with some flimsy cheese and sparkles of meat. Chef Boy-ar-dee does it better right out of the can. I liked the old school charm of the place. The staff was attentive and friendly. I do wish I had tried another place on my visit to Boston's north side.
(2)James C.
I went there with my gf and her father. We were visiting from NYC and it was recommended to us from a friend and our Frommer's book being rates at 4.5 stars. However, we were not impressed by the food. Don't get me wrong, the service was excellent. The aged prosciutto was okay and the mussels in red sauce were great. The traditional veal was subpar. The best tasting part of our meal was the dessert-torta armaretto. Needless to say maybe we just picked the wrong food to eat?
(3)Bianca L.
Everyone will tell you: The North End is a must see when visiting Boston. The quaint little neighborhood boasts of "amazing" Italian restaurants and bakeries. While I am sure it is true for some, it definitely is not for Cantina Italiana. I had the gnocchi, and the sauce was bitter... like the tomatoes were just taken out of a can. It was absolutely NOTHING like the Italian food I've had in Italy. It was sub par Americanized Italian food. My tiramisu was still frozen in the middle. There was a restaurant across the street that had a long waiting line. That is the one I will visit next time.
(1)Dave and tami P.
Phenomenal pasta dishes. After reading other reviews, I had the home-made bombadatlori pasta special with lobster, mussels, clams, baby shrimp and scallops - Note: to avoid confusion with the menu item vs the special, be sure to point to the menu item you want My wife had the clams with white wine sauce. Both were delicious with their own very unique flavor. The only reasons they don't get 5 stars are slightly above average prices compared to their competition in North End, and a mediocre waiter who couldn't be bothered with questions like "where are the mussels from?", and when we expressed interest in lemoncello and asked if the restaurant had it, the waiter said he'd ask, but just ignored our request (noticed that other waiters were much better - guess we were just lucky) Overall, a nice experience with great food. We'd definitely go again.
(4)John H.
We ate here on Columbus Day with friends from out of town. Took a little while to seat us but it was worth the wait. Service and food were very good.
(4)Guy M.
When dining in the North End, this spot is where I go 9 our of 10 times, because it is consistently good, with great service and atmosphere. Some folks may be intimidated by how close quarters it is up front in the bar area and while waiting to be seated. Never to fear. The hosting staff really does a great job in expediting the dining area and servers to keep the flow going, and the bar tenders will always make sure you are comfortable and paid attention to while you wait. The food is, in my opinion, as close as you can get to your Italian grandmother's kitchen, in comparison to the other North End restaurants. There is not much frill, fluff or "inspired" plates that take away from the "right off the stove" allure that all authentic Italian dishes have. All in all, a great spot and a "can't miss" for the North End.
(4)Michael G.
I came in here with my girlfriend to dip out of the rain and buy her a drink celebrating her new job. We waited 25 minutes on our drinks. I timed them. I'll stop my review here.
(2)Tina M.
I've set a goal of eating at every Italian restaurant in the North End, so i've been to quite a few, and I actually liked this place more than giacomo's, pomodoro, and carmen trattoria. They've got a diverse menu with a great selection of classic italian pasta and meat dishes. The restaurant is also a decent size and the staff are very friendly. If you're looking for classic good italian food, you should totally try this place out. It's also much more affordable than many other restaurants in the area.
(5)Brittney G.
YUMMMMMMMMM. Came here for my sister's 21st birthday. Had Sangria and some red wine with dinner. Sangria was fresh and dangerously sweet. I had the risotto special which for that night was unbelievable. Also, we had an array of appetizers including the calamari and the shrimp dish. The shrimp was perfectly cooked and the sauce was to die for!! Our server was attentive but not overbearing. All in all the meal was great and I will definitely be going back again in the future.
(5)Dexter M.
I got the veal, I thought it was okay. My wife got the lasagna, she thought it was great.
(3)Jillian P.
Have been twice with large group and kids, they are very accommodating for us. The waiter the first time was great and made for a very pleasant experience. The food was delicious! The second time, food was still good but the waiter, not as pleasant being a Saturday night... Felt rushed. But still good food
(3)Angela P.
The best service, homemade authentic Italian cuisine and the best sangria you could dream of! It's a warm, welcoming environment that makes you feel like part of the family!
(5)Lisa H.
Great service, very attentive and friendly. Food was awesome and great flavor and timely.
(4)Yesai F.
This has to be the friendliest restaurant I have ever been to! The service here was superb! Our waiter was super nice and was great at recommend the best since it was our first time here. I ordered the Saltimbocca di Pollo with a side of ravioli topped with meat sauce. The chicken was moist and tender. It really melted in your mouth. The handmade ravioli was seriously a taste bud pleaser. We also had desert but it was a surprise from the waiter. I don't remember the name but boy oh boy was it delicious! I've been craving that desert ever since I got back to LA. This place is worth the try. I don't understand why it doesn't have a long line outside the door like the other italian restaurants in the area.
(5)Cathy B.
This place was packed on Saturday night! It was homecoming at BC and Parents Weekend at Tufts as well as several other local schools so Hanover Street was a madhouse. The red sauce here is very good and seems like real homemade "gravy." I did think the portion sizes were on the average to small side which is unusual for a family type restaurant like this one. I had the eggplant parmesan which was good but didn't even come with a side of pasta! My sons had chicken parm and my husband had the veal parmesan which they all enjoyed. They do serve fresh bread but no olive tray or salad or anything like that. While the meal was fine, I think I will try one of the other spots next time we make a trip to the North End.
(3)Michelle T.
Food tasted good, menu was pretty classic, service was great, but overall value was just not...there. There was a 30 minute wait at 8:30pm on Saturday, which was fine. Immediately after we were seated, we were served delicious fresh chewy and fluffy bread with olive oil. We ordered the seafood crostini, which was AWESOME. I would come back just to order this twice and eat both of them as an entree, though I'd say it could use some salt or chili pepper. We ordered a house special seafood penne pasta, which had pasta that was overcooked, though flavors were good. The better pasta dish was the lobster and crab pasta, with house-made pasta. Sadly, it was WAY underdone, probably because the pasta was HUGE and cut at different sizes. Both the entrees were ~$28. Taste: 3/5 Plating: 4/5 Originality: 3.5/5 Value: 2.5/5 Overall: 3/5 Pretty mediocre Italian restaurant that is A-ok if you're just looking for a random place to eat dinner (and don't mind spending a lot.) My guess is that there are better, tastier places in the area...they just have a 45min+ wait.
(3)Rachel C.
Very laid back place. I was surprised how casual most people were dressed for a Saturday night. The food was fresh and the arugula salad was amazing. I ordered the pasta special which was a very large portion with tons of fresh seafood. The color of the dish was a little strange- everything was circus peanut orange.
(3)Eric K.
Meh. sadly that's all I can say about my experience here. I had somewhat high hopes for the place, as the hostess on the phone was very nice and helpful. The place wasn't overly packed, but still it was a Saturday night and I do have pity on the waitstaff. However after tonight, I just find the staff just too inexperienced for the north end rush. Ill keep it brief with just a pros and cons; Pros- Nice hostess, as mentioned Great wine list Amazing bread; great crust, fluffy white inside. best part of the night (I'm a sucker for good Italian bread) -mussels in tomato garlic broth -Cognac for dessert Cons- -not a stocked bar at all, though they had cordials.. Kind of. -took forever to get water -even longer for the sparkling water - cheaply made cocktails (Burnetts vodka in a 10 dollar cocktail? and only soco for a Manhattan? very unimpressed) -very sub par dishes. my chicken parm was good, but they gave me what seemed like leftover riggatoni as it was barely anything. my girlfriends marsala had no pasta with it. 20 a dish for that was a ripoff. My hopes were put down tremendously. go somewhere else if you can.
(2)Krys S.
Picking an Italian Restaurant in the North End can have you go crazy with the amount of options so, we followed our noses which led us to the door of Cantina Italiana. We are from NJ/NY so def. in the mood for some authentic Italian food and that's what we found here! We didn't have reservations which worried us for a bit but we were placed on a list and waited about 25 min. NOT BAD! To start we all got their house made sangria, which is kept in a huge jug at the bar. It was sooOOO good, a little on the sweet side so you know ahead of time. For appetizer we ordered a special with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, marinated olives and artichokes.. to die for!!! (well, not really but def. what we wanted that night) DINNER: My husband got the chicken parm. which comes with rigatoni (they don't substitute pasta kind) It was a huge thinned chicken breast breaded nicely and smothered in their sauce and baked off with mozzarella cheese. He was in heaven. My sister in law went for the shrimp and lobster with a spicy red sauce, and her shrimp and lobster was plentiful. I got the Pollo Gino, a chicken breast (not breaded) cooked in white wine sauce.. laid on a plate of plum tomato sauce topped with a breaded thick piece of eggplant .. sauced again and topped with mozzarella....best eggplant I think I've ever had from a restaurant. I was unsure about the chicken when I looked at it but it was tender and really could taste the different flavors of the dish. We were too stuffed for dessert but it looked delicious. Give it ago especially if Giacomos has a line wrapped around the block! Visited 9-14-13
(4)Gail C.
A true real Italian restaurant in the North End. Fresh pasta,Yum. I took everyone's suggestion and had the Bombolotti con Aragosta. The flavor of the lobster with the sauce was fantastic. Our party of five all had different items. When the food was served, none of us spoke until of our dishes were licked clean. Portions were a perfect size. Wait service was outstanding for a Saturday evening. There are yelp comments on the drinks, I must say my St. Germaine's fresh mint tasted terrible like it picked up refrigerator odors. The drink was not my favorite. The cannolis were fair. Shell from Modern Pastry and their own, ricotta whipped filling. Go to Mike's for better ones. I saw lots of patrons there with their Mike's Pastry boxes ready for dessert time. Decor was very typical Italian casual eatery,circa 1970-80. The worst part of the day was waiting for the valet to retrieve our car. We had to wait outside in the cold for at least 20 minutes. That was bad. We all agreed, the overall experience was great. We will be back to the Cantina, we are fans.
(4)Kyle C.
This is my go-to place amongst the dizzying variety of restaurants lining Hanover Street. Get the gnocchi. I don't care if you hate gnocchi, never had gnocchi, or don't know what gnocchi is; you positively cannot go wrong ordering this dish. I've tried to replicate it at home on several occasions, and nothing comes remotely close. Cantina Italiana's pasta is all homemade, and it shows. Though the atmosphere may leave something to be desired in some areas of the restaurant (last Valentine's Day I sat in a rickety booth that felt as if it would collapse at any moment), there is strong attention paid to customer service. The waiters are incredibly friendly and helpful. I don't think my glass is ever empty for more than a few seconds before someone darts over and fills it. Try Cantina Italiana before you go anywhere else, and finish it off with a cannoli at Modern Pastry down the street.
(4)Kristen K.
Food here was average. I'm pretty sure there's a lot better food around the north end, but this was one of the restaurants that didn't have a huge line out of the door so we tried it. We had the caprese (tomato basil mozzarella), arugula salad, and fettuccini. It was good, But the quality of the ingredients could've been a lot better. The tomato in the caprese tasted bland and grocery store bought. There wasn't enough basil either. The arugula wasnt that fresh, I've had better. And the fettuccini lacked flavor. The homemade pasta was pretty good though! But very filling. Overall I wouldn't go there again, it was pretty average. But on a weekend, when it's crowded in north end it's not too bad.
(3)Eugene D.
The service was friendly without being overbearing, and the food was very satisfying!
(4)Christina G.
I had a nice meal here last night. The decor and atmosphere are not fantastic, but the food and service were very good. They have a lot of standard fare that you will find on any menu in the North End, but a lot of interesting pasta varieties that I haven't seen anywhere else. We tried the Carpaccio appetizer which was tasty. For entrees we had the Gnocchi Al Forno and Fusilli Fromaggi. They are very similar dishes and both were simple but very good. My favorite was the Fusilli though. Instead of wine, we opted for these frozen strawberry bellinis...they were delicious! they didn't quite go with our meal, but what a treat. As with most of the restaurants on Hanover Street, this place seemed to be a little pricer than it should have been. They do have live music though, so points for that.
(4)Sven P.
Pizza was fantastic, and the bartenders provided lovely service
(4)Amy K.
I was totally craving pasta, and Cantina Italiana really hit the spot! We went for lunch on a weekday, so there wasn't a wait, unlike at a certain other establishment across the street. Our server was very friendly and the service was excellent. The restaurant has a nice atmosphere, too. We started off sharing the house salad. It was fresh and flavorful. The bread they gave us was perfect for getting that last bit of dressing. I had the Linguine con Calamari. The pasta was al dente and the sauce was excellent. I was lapping it up with my spoon, it was so good. I would definitely come back to Cantina Italiana again!
(4)Brian G.
Very good food in an excellent part of boston!
(4)Melissa F.
This is the oldest restaurant in the North End. It has solid food and is my go to place when I don't feel like researching something new. I love the gnochi.
(5)Michael M.
This is a great little restaurant that amplifies the whole north end feel, and is really delicious. Service is great and friendly and parking is a pain. Other than that though a really perfect little Italian place. I recommend the lasagna!
(4)Nick S.
I went here for dinner on a Sunday night during a Bruins game. A lot of the other places in the North End were packed. They had a table available and the food was great. I tried the Bombolotti alla Buongustaia. They make their very own unique Bombolotti, you have to try it. The staff was very nice and I would definitely go back the next time I'm in Boston.
(4)Mils K.
Great homemade pasta. loved the sauce! also had the spinach with garlic... i could eat that whole dish by myself. I was so stuffed for lunch, that i didn't have to eat dinner. the worst part..... horrible service. Our old waiter did not like me and my friend. Next time I go there, I have to make sure i don't get his table. He's been there forever, and selectively treats customers well. He loved our other two friends at the table! salads also great... love their dressing. chicken picatta was very tasty too. they are known for their lasagna, but since i don't eat red meat, i have no idea how good it is.
(4)Maggie T.
The service was great & the food was awesome! I had made my reservations on line a few days in advance for four . We arrived 1/2 hr early & they sat us right away. We started with an app & cocktails then on to dinner. I can't just recommend one thing because all four of us loved are meals!! So do yourselves a favor and feast on any meal you won't be disappointed. Enjoy!!!
(5)Mark M.
Preface: We were tourists from Texas and New York looking for a great North End experience. Grandma, Grandpa, me (late 20s) and little sister (18). Service: Good, but not great. There were pretty busy the night we dined (which I'm sure is common). It took quite a long time to get us refills, bread, etc. Food: Good, but not exceptional by any means. The lasagna seems like it could be Stouffer's. The pastas are homemade (they say) and the portions aren't quite equivalent to the price. Wine list: Good. Could be longer and there aren't a whole lot of choices to buy by the glass. They do, however, have a flight selection (3 wines of the same grape) which is excellent and a good deal. This place is old school and seems like the interior is the same it was in 1950.
(3)Sidney A.
I went to Cantina Italiana on Valentine's day weekend. They take online reservations, so that was fantastic. We arrived a little early to our reservation, and since it was Valentine's weekend, the place was very busy. We ended up having to wait an extra 20 minutes after our reservation time, but the Manager was wonderfully accommodating. He even gave us free drinks. The food here was absolutely wonderful as well. My boyfriend got a steak and he LOVED it. I got some handmade pasta which was delicious. I even had a canoli for dessert and it was fantastic. I definitely like this place a lot and would go back.
(4)Ann K.
A go-to place for us in Boston. The bombolatti is awesome! Homemade pasta, goat cheese, sausage, who could ask for anything more! The consierge at the Hilton Financial District turned us on to this place and we stop by on nearly every trip to Boston. Try the house made sangria while waiting for your table.
(4)Jacquelyn M.
Okay, so I've been going to this restaurant for like twenty years, since I was a kid. So it's near and dear to my heart. Some fo the best food in the North End, but the service has gotten fairly questionable. While I realize Saturday nights are busy, I felt as though I was being rished out of the place in order to free up a table. Really bad business. Please go back to being nice to your repeat customers, and next time let us take our time since we always spend at least $150 on our 2 person meal.
(4)Lili T.
I went here a couple of weeks ago with the family on a Saturday night. We arrived relatively early with no reservations and were seated immediately. The hostess was kind of grumpy but our waiter was really nice. The restaurant is definitely old but still had a nice atmosphere. The food was good, not the best Italian food in the area but if your hungry and looking for a restaurant that's not a zoo I'd give this place a try!
(4)Jeremy K.
On Veteran's day was my 2.5 year anniversary with Dina and I wanted to find something a little different to do. I wanted to shake up our usual routines and go to the North End. I blame my recent discovery and addiction to the Sopranos. We decided upon this lovely little North Endish restaurant and gladly settled into their authentic little booth's. We shared a bruschetta which was very good and the misses had a pasta dish while I settle for my fav: chicken piccata. Everything was delicious and so was the dine although the whole tab was a bit pricey. The waiter was terrific and very attentive and the overall experience was well-worth it although it will remain occasional due to the costs. This place made me reminiscent of my numerous trips to Italy, and brought some great memories back to me. A terrific little joint, which I higly recommend!
(4)Lucia A.
This place was recommended to us by the Omni Parker House. I was told that the Italian district is amazing and a must to eat at!! We loved this place! Excellent wine and food! On a rainy Tuesday night, the restaurant was not full by any means, and the service was still slow. We were on vacation so it didn't bother us too much. Great Italian food and a great ambiance!
(4)Herb Z.
Great place that gets overlooked in the North End. Food is great and service is good. Been going for years an haven't been disappointed.
(4)Cindy H.
I ordered seafood fettuccine and it was so-so. The noodles had a good texture and I believe it was homemade. The shrimp was fresh, but the clams and mussels were ok.
(3)Kyle L.
Not worth the wait or $$ - We go to the North end frequently and have eaten at the Cantina several times before. It has always been OK, but this time it did not even live up to that standard. We were seated quickly and were initially attended to, but as the night wore on and I do mean wore on, it just got worse and worse. It was just my wife and I and our 7 Y/O daughter. It felt like once they realized we were not going to order alcohol (and thus double the check) they seriously ratcheted down the level of service. The bread was fresh, but cold. The waiter only gave us 6 small pieces and one small plate with plain olive oil. I am use to the house leaving the bottle of olive oil. Our 7 Y/O was starving so she had 4 of the six pieces and was upset that we ran out of oil so quickly. It was over 40 minutes before we got our food and were never offered any more bread or anything for the child, despite the fact that she was obviously hungry tired and bored out of her head. (A quick small plate of pasta, a meatball or small salad for the kid while she was waiting would have changed the evening and this review around) When the food arrived it was mediocre. I am averaging my wife's "good" chicken and eggplant dish with my disaster plate of bolognaise. The pasta was homemade and a bit undercooked, but the real complaint was the seasoning of the sauce. I had my wife taste it to be sure. She conformed is was absent any flavor at all, missing at least 1 or 2 key spices. It has taken so long for the food to arrive and our daughter was fading quickly so I ate, paid quickly and went on with our evening. With all the wonderful options in the North end, I can't imagine it will take too long for this kind of inconsistency to catch up with the Cantina. This was certainly our last visit.
(2)Danielle R.
What impressed me most about Cantina Italiana was the service. I didn't have to wait for my own waiter (who was friendly & knowledgeable) to take away cleared plates - whoever walked by first took them. I dropped the paper inside a bread basket & a waitress stopped to retrieve it before it hit the ground. I thought the food was good overall. Mussels - excellent, lobster ravioli special - meh, veal fiore - good, mixed drinks - really good.
(3)Oded B.
Nice staff.. but we walked in mid week for lunch and waited more than 30 minutes to get our food, and the place wasn't that full.... I had to remind them twice to refill my drink. The whole experience was annoying. Food was ok when we finally got it .. but it took forever. not coming back.
(1)christina P.
I don't care who you are or who you want to be... never charge 9 bucks for a glass of gabbiano chianti in a big bulk bottle. we stayed for 1 drink and couldnt stomach the attitude of the bartender. she stared at us while we tried to uncomfortably have an OK time ...was incredibly rude. again, i dont care who you are. there is no excuse for a sour puss face. there are hundreds of places in the north end that are better simply because the people smile when you walk in. dont waste your time.
(1)Shannon T.
Excellent food, extensive wine list, efficient and friendly service.
(4)Gerry G.
The service was excellent, but the food was mediocre. In my experience, bad service can ruin a good meal, but excellent service can't make up for mediocre food. The first thing I noticed was the menu: nothing really creative or unique on it. Pretty standard stuff. So, my family ordered 4 pasta dishes. One was "good" and the other three were below average. At around $20 a plate (for pasta dishes!), I certainly expected much better. Overall, a disappointment. We won't be going back.
(2)Dave C.
Very very average. I'm Sicilian from Chicago. This is not authentic Italian. Chicken Parmesean dry & tasteless.
(2)Tim S.
I really wanted to love tis place as I have heard many good things about it. I sat at the stark bar and order the cheapest glass of wine - $9. Pretty good, but should be. My entree was a chicken parm kind of dish with chicken and eggplant. It was tiny, and did not include pasta. Just two little pieces of chicken on a big plate with red sauce. $20. Tomato sauce was awesome as was the bread basket. But $20 should get you chicken and a little pasta. It was an additional $7 if I wanted pasta. Gee a box of Barilla is 99 cents and feeds 8 people...so thats like 23 cents per serving.
(2)Deb C.
I have lived in the Boston area since 1994 can't believe I missed this gem! Went tonite and it was amazing. My new fave in the North End. Owner greeted us and was so welcoming,. I felt like I was in someone's home and it was packed so that is saying something.our waiter was so funny, everything he recommended I was like nope i dont like that. So he gave up poor thing! Then I asked him if I should get chicken parm or the pollo Gino...he said Gino so i did it and it was AMAZING! This is my new go to joint in the North End- it was jamming....hidden gem amazing gravy- JUST DO IT
(5)Donald S.
good service, good food, good times.
(5)Wendy O.
Went here on vacation last year, and I can't stop thinking about the lasagne! The BEST I've ever had. Yes, it's crowded and we had to wait in line outside, but the food made it worth it. If I only lived closer!
(5)Alison C.
Cantina Italiana might not be the fanciest dining room in Boston's North End, but the food is out of this world! I have been to several places in this area, and have been decently surprised by most of them (especially in comparison to NYC's horrible Little Italy section), but this blows all of them out of the water. When you walk through the cramped entrance way, you will be greeted by an old fashioned wooden bar on your right and a large party table to your left. Just beyond this cluttered area is a larger dining room with several booths and tables. Though I had made a reservation for our large group of 6, we had to wait close to an hour to be seated. This was an annoyance, and the service was not spectacular, but the food made up for it all. The Italian bread was definitely a northern style: a bit more dry and in need of flavor. The Antipasto all' Italiana appetizer was a delicious mix of fresh and thinly sliced meats and cheeses, drizzled with just the right amount of olive oil. My Bombolotti con' Aragosta entree was indescribably amazing. The bombolotti pasta was homemade and served al dente. The noodles were served with large chunks of shrimp and lobster meat, all covered in fresh garlic, olive oil, and a sweet tomato sauce. I could probably eat this for every meal of my life. Our entire party of 6 people loved their meals and finished every last bite. Yum! They also have an extensive wine list, sangria, and their specialty Bellinis, which are made with prosecco and apricot brandy. The prices are also very reasonable, with entrees ranging from $17 to 32, with most in the low $20s. I highly, highly recommend this gem that is also the oldest restaurant in the North End.
(5)Kelly W.
You think. It's the North End. It's Italian food. You can't mess this up. WRONG. I went here almost a year ago and here's what I remember: for Italian food in Boston's North End, this place is forgettable (a contradictory phrase perhaps?) Look, it just proves, don't just walk into any old place here, research is obviously required.
(2)Allison S.
We came here on a Saturday night, and we were so glad that we made reservations! The bar was jam-packed full of people waiting for a table and we walked right past them and sat right away. They really pack the tables in there - my chair was right up against the chair of a man sitting behind me and I felt a little bit trapped at the table. There are some cheesy murals on the walls and the candles are fake - they did a good job with the "fake ambiance". The waitress was kind of distracted and kept popping up and disappearing before finally taking our order. We also waited a while for bread to arrive at the table. Once the food came, it was good, but nothing super special. I definitely learned some new types of pastas from their menu, which was VERY extensive (and maybe a little bit too much so). We had the fried calamari with hot peppers as a starter, and as a main course, I ordered the fusilli with marinara sauce with four different cheeses baked in the oven. Both were tasty. It was pretty good and I would consider return again, but probably not on a Saturday night.
(3)Pat C.
A wonderful experience from start to finish. Great service, waiter explained the specials and treated us like we were family. Food was well prepared and piping hot upon arrival, which was just the right time in between the appetizer. We ordered a bottle of the house wine and enjoyed it with our meal, veal parmigiana and gnocchi. We were too full to order dessert. Can't wait for next trip to Boston to enjoy this dining experience again.
(5)Chris K.
Phenomenal chicken parmigiana and lasagna! Best food I have had in a long. Will definitely make this a stop next trip back to Boston!
(5)Julie L.
SO! on my big BAH-STAHN spring break rendezvous, just hit up this place for my best friend's birthday.... general ambiance of the store was so-so, but, it was definitely nice having actual Italian-speaking waiters, since... we DID come ALL the way to NorthEnd, afterall, for some great Italian food/experience. Food was good - my friends ordered some of the baked dishes-gnocchi and fusilli quattro formagi - both of which I was not very impressed by - just lots of tomato and cheesiness - that's just SOMEwhat tasty but filling. Probably the reason why my friends ate half, boxed the rest, and... kind of forgot about it in the fridge... But, I ordered the Saltimbocca di Pollo (chicken, mushrooms in white wine sauce) which was EXCELLENT. I was definitely ordering more bread just to soak up the delicious sauce... previously mentioned friends were sticking their forks in my plate, as well...
(3)Lia M.
Stopped in here for a drink with a friend and had a good time. As the window was open, we sat at the bar table next to the window. It was a little cramped, but worth it. Cantina Italiana only has cordials, beer, & wine (i.e., no vodka). The martinis were decent, though not super strong, and the thin crust pizza we shared was good. The tiramisu was tasty as well. Bartender & host were friendly.
(3)Andrew K.
Went here to celebrate my dad's birthday with the fam. Excellent food throughout. I had the Bombolotti con Aragosta (pasta with lobster and shrimp in marinara), while the others had veal scallopini and gnocchi. I could tell that the lobster was fresh caught, not frozen (having had a lobster sandwich at Uno's earlier, which definitely was frozen). Also had the dessert of the day, a tiramisu-like dessert w/ ladyfingers soaked in Amaretto Di Sorrano. Honestly, I expected an OK meal given this is one of the North End's oldest restaurants and older restaurants often let the food quality slide. Not here. Overall, a great meal worth the value. I give it four stars mainly for the food, as service was good, not exceptional, and the decor seems a little dated. If you focus on the food, you will enjoy this restaurant.
(4)Kelly A.
If I knew I was going to die tomorrow, I'd make the Cantina Italiana gnocchi my last meal. They are p.h.e.n.o.m.e.n.a.l. I grew up in an Italian family with an Italian grandmother who made gnocchi on a regular basis. I consider myself somewhat of a gnocchi connoisseur. The gnocchi at Cantina Italiana are the only ones I have ever had that rival my grandmother's. They are baked in a delicious pomodoro sauce and served with a dollop of fresh ricotta cheese. Just awesome. As for Cantina overall, it is one of my favorite places. Yes, it's cheesy, and yes, it's old-school, but that's part of the charm. I got engaged at Cantina and my husband and I continue to celebrate our anniversary there every year. It's a throwback that I greatly enjoy. I've never had problems with the service, and plus they are on Open Table now so it's easier than ever to make a reservation before you go. Check it!
(5)Stephanie S.
Visited this past weekend for a late lunch. Since I don't visit the North End that much our first choice was Pizzeria Regina because I'd never been, but the line was out the door around the corner a ways. So we headed to Hanover Street and this is what we came to. I guess we choose the wrong door.... Like I said, late lunch and we were super hungry. Our booth seats were a little worse for wear and uncomfortable (not a deal breaker). Our waiter was a weird flavor of enthusiastic. When I gave him my order he would correct my pronunciation with what he felt was a more authentic italian pronunciation. No thanks, Sir! Not the way to earn a good tip from me. I'll have the bruschetta, without the attitude. Our bruschetta app was okay. I've had much better at Silvertone. But the app and entree (chicken parm and gnocchi) came out after a longer wait and all at once. (kind of annoying, right?) Quality was definitely nothing special. Portions for lunch were as you might expect but the prices were more like dinner prices. I feel like our specific server was a dud, the food was below average and the prices were too high. Try Giacomo's instead.
(2)Steven L.
Food is pretty good and there's never a wait unlike most places in the North End.
(4)Jane A.
My Favorite Italian Resturant on Hanover Street!! Classic Italian cooking.. Delicious!! Great Wine List. The decor is very old looking but the quality Food makes it not even matter.
(5)Andrew B.
In a normal neighborhood this restaurant my be the best choice around, but when in the North End standards are a bit higher and this place falls in as adequate. The food was good, but not great. Nothing too amazing on the menu. The wait time was not bad. The bread served before the mean also decent, but nothing amazing. The service was pretty decent, but we seemed to fall down the priority list as we weren't buying alcohol. Everything about the meal and experience was good and decent. If everywhere else is packed its not a bad choice, I suppose.
(3)Jessie G.
Don't mistake the Italian name for Italian food. This place is just not good. About 2 weeks ago the hubby and I decided to check out the North End. After wandering for hours enjoying the scenery we realized we were STARVING. I like kitsch and the neon bottle of Chianti convinced me this was the place. FOOD: Bordering on gross, the chicken parm was clearly microwaved, dry as could be and generally less than appetizing. The linguini with clams wasn't bad, but the clams were dried out and as my husband said "reminiscent of gum." SERVICE: We managed to get in just as they were changing over staff. There was a good bit of confusion as to who would be helping us. Once we had a waitress assigned she wasn't available to bring water and kept asking a busboy to do it. He was less than enthused. DRINKS: Their giant jug of sangria looked appetizing to the hubby and he ordered 2 without thinking to ask the cost. When the bill came they were $10 a pop for 1 wineglass full. Since when did cheap sangria wine cost $10 a glass? THE COST: We were here for lunch and it came to a little over $80! Here's what we had: 1 chicken parm, 1 linguini w/ clams, 2 side salads, 2 sangrias, 1 iced tea. When I gave the waitress a 15% tip she gave me a "what did I do wrong" look. Oy, just don't make the same mistake we did...put your money to good use.
(1)Bethany T.
Went here for a double-date with some friends from out of town. Made a reservation, showed up a little early and was seated promptly. Started with sharing a two appetizers among the table. The Carpaccio di Bresaola was tasty though different from other Carpaccios I've had in the past. The Calamari were very tender and tasty! For my main course I got Bombolotti con Aragosta, which was very good. The shrimp were nice and meaty, the pasta was perfectly al dente. The lobster was good as well, although there wasn't as much of it as I would have liked. My husband got Bombolotti alla Buongustaia, which he was very pleased with. The other couple got Risotto ai Porcini and Lasagna al Forno and were both very pleased. For "dessert" they got boozy coffees, which were large and strong. I got a Sombrero; I wanted a White Russian (aka, what the Dude drinks), but they didn't have vodka. Overall, a great meal but they lost a point for the hideous service. Every step was slow. I went without water on multiple occasions, as did others at the table. Even though the waitress did seem busy, she looses big points because when she forgot something for the table next to us and the fellow sitting there said "oh its OK, I can see you're really busy" she said to him "oh I'm not busy, I'm just empty-headed". WTF? Overall, this seems to be an issue with the server in particular, so I would definitely still come back here again.
(3)Michael G.
I first dined here in early 2007 when I was still just a tourist looking for a home to buy in the Boston area. I officially moved to Boston in November 2007 and have enjoyed Cantina Italiana ever since. When my friends and family come up to visit, I always make sure to take them to the North End and to Cantina Italiana. I love this place and everyone I have taken there always loves it as well. The food is just plain delicious!
(5)Ron R.
Great food with excellent service. We felt like we were dining with family after the manager, Alberto, greeted us. The wait staff were also very friendly and efficient. We tried a seafood special that included lobster ravilois, shrimp, clams and swordfish in a clear broth; outstanding! We also had one of their specialties: Bombolotti con Aragosto. This was a wide tubular pasta served with lobster and shrimp in a garlic based sauce. This dish was also brilliant. Dine there and you will not be disappointed! Mikes Pastry was down the street which even improved our great experience.
(4)Monica P.
Definitely going back! My mom, sister, and I just happened upon this restaurant and we couldn't be more delighted. The staff was warm and welcoming and I swear to God I'm going to marry our waiter from that night. The food was beyond excellent, but seriously...the sweetest of princes works there.
(5)andy b.
Having lived in Boston for 6 years, and never have been to the north end , I was excited to try this place and there handmade gnocchi. After a long day on spectacle island I had worked up quite the appetite. The service was terrible. No bread, no water, and no waiter? After getting drinks I swallowed some chuncks of debris in my stella. The waiter explained that is was just a straw wrapper and took it away. 20 min. later I finally saw my waiter again so I asked where my drink was. I got a confused look and a "you wanted another???" The food. The food was below average My 12 year old nephew has made me better pasta. This food is not worth the money, it is strictly a tourist trap. I would love some information on where to actually go in the North End
(1)Holly M.
Ahh the North End, one of my favorite place to go when I'm in Boston and this restaurant is no exception. I tried this restaurant out during Restaurant week one year and it was great Italian food. I loved there bread basket and the olive oil they brought to your table and there pasta is wonderful. I love tortilline so I tried it out to see if it would live up to my North End expectations and boy did it ever. The creamy riccota inside each tortilline was delicious and the sauce was not to overpowering it had just the right amount of spice to it. This restaurant is a perfect place to take that special someone in your life and afterwards enjoy the sites and sounds that the North End has to offer. Check it out!
(4)Amanda C.
My husband and I saw an advertisement for this place in our hotel literature. Because we knew there were so many Italian restaurants in the North End, we thought to go to this place. Boy we were happy with our decision! The cute and quaint atmosphere was just what we were looking for. The dining area was small and intimate. The waiter was Italian and his accent was just adorable. We ordered the calamari appetizer and caesar salad for starters. Both dishes were good but nothing to rave about. For entrees we ordered the veal parm and veal scallopini. Here's where the raving begins. Both dishes were out of this world. The veal parm was perfectly cooked, not too crispy, not over done and chewy. It was accompanied by rigatoni and meat sauce, with plenty of both. The veal scallopini was tender and white, with an abundance of wild mushrooms on the plate. I normally taste the white wine in the sauce but here the mushroom flavor overshadowed that. My husband and I have both had these dishes at numerous restaurants, in many different cities. But these were impeccably prepared to the point that we both started eating slower so it wouldn't end! I would totally recommend this place to anyone who appreciates good, home cooked Italian cuisine. My father is Italian and I've never had anything this good (sorry Dad!). We will be back for sure when we are next in the Boston area.
(5)Mark B.
I'm having a hard time with this review because I hate to dis a place that was recommended by one of my daughters (on the off chance that she might actually read this review). Quick aside: does anyone actually use the word "dis" these days or am I outdated? Anyway, we loaded up on the Gnocchi based on a few reviews here and it was the most bland Gnocchi that I've ever eaten. Maybe they ran out of basil and garlic that night and didn't want to admit it. It needed a lot of help. The bruschetta was good and the $10 salad was very good but probably not worth $10. There were other problems. The guy playing music (with a fake Italian accent) spent more time at our table than our waiter. Did he really think that our party of 8 came to the restaurant to be entertained by him? He spent 8 minutes talking to us, two minutes playing music, and then 3 more minutes making sure we knew that his business cards were upfront, and I don't think the business cards were the end game either. The waiter recently completed the restaurant's sales training course because he was trying to "up-sell" us everything. We had to tell him that we wanted "regular" (as in free) water three times before he stopped asking us if we wanted bottled water. When we said that we wanted to start with Bruschetta, I was fully expecting him to suggest 6 orders for our party of 8. At times, he tried to use the "assumed close" to get more of us to order salads. It really was ridiculous. This place was not nearly as busy as every other restaurant in the North End and I think I know why.
(2)James C.
Highly recommend. No other way to put it. We trusted the yelp reviews again and were not let down. There are a lot of pricey places on Hanover street in Boston, but this gem was moderately priced and had a big menu. The lasagne was outstanding as was the four cheese fusilli. Deserts were home made. Try the cheesecake. You will not be sorry.
(5)Paul K.
I think one of the reasons we like Cantina Italiana is because it epitomizes what I originally imagined a traditional Boston North End Italian Restaurant to be. It has a great old-world feel with some great Italian dishes. We try to make this an regular stop when we come to Boston. The servings are generous without being excessive and our service has always been pretty good. The desserts always look good, but we can't pass up a chance to go to Mike's!!! A favorite of mine is the Bombolotti w/Sausage. I also like the Tomato Mozzarella Salad very much too. It's all pretty good though. Reservations are recommended, especially on the weekends. Check it out if you can!
(4)Michael G.
The food has always been very good and the atmosphere is authentic. HOWEVER, the last 2 times I went here two awkward things have happened. About a year ago, I was eating with my family and a group of musicians came into the restaurant. My sister took a photo of them, and then they demanded that we pay them money for the photo. SKETCH. Recently, I went here and I was with fellow young professionals, and they gave us a "look" like we don't want you to serve you because you are young and are not going to spend a lot here. The vibe was somewhat snobby, but the food was still very good.
(3)Janell Y.
Lucky you Cantina Italiana, my friends and I did not want to wait in line across the street for Giorgino's so we yelped you and found you worthy of our wallets. Fail. Not for the restaurant but because we assumed the wait would be less but I have a feeling it would've been the same. Oh well, either way our end result was still good. So, while waiting to be seated my friend and I decided to sit by the bar, check out the wine and see how much beer would be. I understand how busy it can be when there's one bartender who is making the drinks not just for those at the bar but throughout the entire restaurant but seriously you don't ignore the entire half of the other side. My friend and I were getting rather impatient and mind you, we're REALLY patient. A couple next to us was getting rather restless too. When he FINALLY noticed us, he didn't really make much of an impression, he wasn't rude nor was he even nice enough to like. He's lucky the food and our waiter was OUTSTANDING because if not, this place would've been deducted a star. When we were finally seated, our waiter was the most charming guy I've ever met! I wish I remembered his name, if he even mentioned it but he was really sweet. Paid just enough attention but not too much to suffocate us and entertained us with his little side comments about certain dishes. I'm sure all the waiters/waitresses have to explain to each customer how this place makes their own pasta but he did it in a way that showed such sincerity, either that or he's really good at faking it haha. He would also pronounce the names of the dishes the way they were and if we got 'em wrong he wouldn't make us feel stupid like most places seem to sadly do. I forgot what I ordered, it was the Risotto with Shitake mushrooms but that was THE bomb. Like omg, I never thought I'd ever like a risotto so much but I sure hope I find something similar here in the bay. As for my other co-eaters, they were all more than satisfied with their platters. I'm already missing this place. Definitely check it out if you ever go to Boston!
(5)Neil B.
Went here with some friends who wanted to experience the North End. Not knowing any better I let them look at the menus and pick where to go. They decided that this place looked good. Food - woefully average. Calamari appetizer was decent, if not a bit chewy. One persons Chicken Parm was pretty lame. Others friends pasta dish had a very bland uninspired sauce, but the pasta was good. A pizza that I got was ok. Service - good, if a bit slow and uncoordinated. Some "I got you that beer you asked for right?" stuff going on. Decor - kitsch, but fairly fun. Price - high for the quality of food but fairly reasonable. It's times like this that I wish I could remember the good places that people have told me about in the North End. However, I rarely go there so I was as much of a tourist as my friends were to be honest.
(2)Matt F.
Solid food at reasonable prices... The one dish I'd recommend is Bombolotti al Forno.
(4)Cory B.
Great food & service. Also has valet parking.
(4)Lisa E.
I had a lovely meal here, with my only issue being the service in some parts. I had a reservation but was still made to wait while a hostess half paid attention to me. After a bit of urging we were seated about 10 minutes after arriving. The table service was a bit slow to start out but was ultimately fine and our waitress was very sweet and funny. The food here is excellent though. I had eaten here several years ago and had actually always remembered what I'd had there and how good it was. So of course, I had to order it again this time and it was just as good. I also had a very delicious salad of arugula, pine nuts, shaved Parmesan and balsamic. I haven't had that combination before. It is a very old school, comfortable atmosphere and I always enjoy it.
(4)Amy B.
If you haven't been to Cantina Italiana yet, you need to go. Don't let the tacky neon sign outside fool you into thinking this place is only for tourists - as a former North End resident, I can assure you that the pastas here are not to be missed. I love their gnocchi and I think it's my favorite in the North End! Everyone I've brought to this restaurant loved it and I'll keep coming back for years to come.
(5)John N.
We were walking around forever and couldn't decided on which restaurant to try first in North End and finally we just force ourself to go in here. I wasn't really impress w.the food so I didn't want to order anything expect some wines to drink and even that was pretty bad too. The only person who order something was my friend brooke so we all got to try her gnocchi and it wasn't that good. It was very heavy and even after we add some cheese on it, it wasn't still good. Overall this place suck and it more for tourist. I would stay away from this place at all cost!
(1)Patti S.
We went here for dinner and it was very delicious. The service was great and very authentic. We didn't have a reservation and didn't have to wait for a table on a Saturday night. Highly recommended!
(5)Meera Z.
We booked a reservation for a party of 14 on the first night of Restaurant Week. We didn't expected to be wowed by the service since our table was so huge, and they were most likely going to busy anyways. I was pleasantly surprised by our waiter! He put up with our nonsense, with a smile throughout the whole meal. He even didn't seem to mind too much that the birthday boy was an hour late (I kid you not). He, and the rest of the serving staff, was wonderful! Unfortunately, I can't say the same about the food. I always thought that restaurants brought out the best for restaurant week. If this was their best, I'd hate to see their worst! The Pasta Fagioli was really bland and was reminiscent of Spaghetti-O's. The Seafood/Mushroom Risotto was also quite bland. It was also too gooey as well - I didn't even want to finish it or take it home. The chocolate souffle was delicious, but the gelato that came with it tasted like Bubble Gum flouride that the dentist gave you as a kid. I also tried a friends Stuffed Cornish Hen, and that was so-so as well. As I've been to other North End restaurants and know how good they can be, I don't think I'll be returning here again.
(3)Sarah K.
This was my go-to restaurant in the North End when I lived in Boston. A friend took me there once and from then on this is where I went when my group of friends could not decide where to go (and we didn't even have to leave Hanover Street). Food was always delicious - I have a feeling I've only really eaten the lasagna and eggplant parm because I'm like that - I was never disappointed though. Took my dad there once and we ate so much I felt like I should've walked home to Brighton afterwards. Service was always friendly and attentive even when the place was very crowded and the wait was long to get in. I love the one crappy photo of the place on here. I hope some yelper takes their camera with them next time to supply a replacement. If I'm in Boston anytime soon I'll try to remember to take one.
(4)David D.
Hanover seems to this outsider to be a tourist trap Mecca so a group of friends and I decided to go for the restaurant that looked like it had been there for a long time. Cantina Italiana it was. The places sure does need a makeover but not the food. Old school Italian goodness. And I went old school all the way. Cesar salad was awesome, tangy and flavorful and still crisp, not something that sat on the counter for 10 minutes, covered with freshly grated Romano. Just so damn tasty. At first I was eyeballing the veal but when I read the pastas were homemade and fresh, well the lasagna was more than an easy sell. And did it go down easy also. Simply the best lasagna I've had in a restaurant. Not like mama makes it, but pretty freakin close. And just for even more clichéness, for desert I went for the chocolate cake. Chocolate cakes are usually heavy and contain too much sugar. But this one was fluffy and not to sweet. Portions are just right, no excess in savor on anything, everything is balanced and fresh. I loved every bite.
(5)Mike T.
This is further proof that Zagat will rate just about anything. The food was average at best, quantities were small, the prices were high, and the service was some of the worst I have ever seen. Keep walking there are many great choices in the North End.
(1)Terry W.
I am having trouble spelling planning my next visit here, so sorry for butchering this in advance.... Gnocchi..Gnocchi..where for art thou Gnocchi...I've never had real Gnocchi until this place...wow..Amazing. I thought I did, but was obvioulsy sadly misstaken...these were little pillows of goodness. I had it Gnocchi Al Forno with homemade sausage...wow...My brother was there with me and had the lunch special which was insanely good...a capelletti with Proscuitto and arugula in a cream sauce that was amazing. the lunch special off the chain...18 dollars for salad, entree, and dessert...canolli or tiramisu - which was homemade btw. Go here now and don't hessitate...Phantom called it a hidden jewel...i call it WOW...
(4)Adrienne D.
I stop by here every time I'm in Boston for their homemade Bombolotti with Italian sausage. It's amazing. I'm usually eating at odd hours prior to a flight out of Logan, but I've never had to wait long. See you over Memorial Day.
(4)Drew F.
Mmmm... Lentil Soup.... Yes, Lentil soup, just like my ex-roommate's ex-girlfriend would make. Mmmmm. Very nice on a snowy winter's night. My sister-in-law loved the wine and the Saltimboca Pollo. I loved the Chicken, Ziti & Broccoli. I loved it even more when she picked up the tab. Very knowledgable staff, friendly and accomodating. Go early or on a weekday to avoid the crush. Large family groups seem to frequent this place. You can place a reservation on-line and pick your table too.
(4)Michael K.
While on vacation, wanted to go to Giacomos, but line was way too long so wife and I had dinner here. Service was okay. We shared a Caesar salad and they split it in the kitchen and brought out two half plates, which was nice. They don't have garlic bread, but bring fresh bread to dip in olive oil. Bread was tasty, but would have preferred it if it was warmed. Both our dishes had, according to server, their famous Bombolotti pasta. She described it well -- like wagon wheel pasta, but in long tubes. In both dishes, it was cooked perfectly. We had Bombolotti con Aragosta ($27) which is with shrimp and lobster in a plum tomato sauce. Shrimp were overcooked and the sauce was too salty. Other dish was Bombolotti alla Buongustaia ($19) which is baked with cheese and sausage in red sauce. It was okay, but no big deal. If I rate a place 3 stars, it means I'd probably be willing to go back and give it another try. When in town again I'd certainly try other restaurants and have no reason to go back here.
(2)Rich B.
Fantastic food! From pastas to a their fish special, this place is the real deal. If you want a classic Hanover street retail experience Cantina Italiana is a perfect destination.
(4)Micaela L.
Meh indeed. I went to dinner at Cantina Italiana with my former boss -- she's loved this place for years -- but I found the meal to be unmemorable at best. There are surely plenty of better places to dine in the North End.
(2)Fred L.
Very disappointed after reading such great reviews. I'm in Boston for 3 months for work and have been taking advantage of the top-notch gnocci here that I cannot get in North Carolina. Maybe it was an off night, but my gnocci at Cantina had the texture of the frozen stuff you get at the supermarket and the sauce was just ok. I also tried the mussels in supposedly "spicy" sauce and the bombolotti, and I was not terribly impressed with either. Overall, not a bad restaurant, but with so many other similar choices in the neighborhood I would not go back. If you do go, ask if they have any wine on special. We had a $90 bottle that was on sale for $55. It was definitely the high-light of the meal.
(2)Jess C.
I'm slowly working on trying every restaurant in the North End. Being half Sicilian, I feel that it's my duty. I've only been to Cantina Italiana once, and it was at about 3 in the afternoon, a really random time for a big pasta meal. The service wasn't great, a little unfriendly and slow, but it was around shift change, and I think she was busy with other things. The decor is cute. A little cheesy, but cute. The whole back area of the place is big, comfy-looking booths, but I sat at the round table in the front window, so I don't know how comfy they really are. Bread was good. Olive oil was good. Gnocchi was absolutely fabulously wonderful. It was a really simple handmade gnocchi in a creamy tomato sauce, and it was everything I was looking for and more. A nice spongy texture to the gnocchi, and the sauce was absolutely perfect. Just positively scrumptious.
(4)Melissa C.
The only reason I would come to Cantina Italiana is because compared to a lot of the smaller North End eateries, it is easy to seat a large, unorganized party there on short notice. Last week I went for dinner and was not impressed with neither food nor service. Being Italian, there is one big criteria I must first assess before talking about any other aspects of the experience...the sauce. Alas. The sauce is very bland. You can tell it's "homemade", but they play it safe (or cheap) and use the same sauce in most of their dishes. It needs more herbs, more garlic, more tomato paste, more salt. more spice, more something. Anything. My poor gnocchi were doused in 2 tablespoons of crushed red pepper to compensate. (The pasta themselves were rubbery and low on the potato denseness) Other things sampled: caprese salad (actually pretty good, fresh mozzarella and tomatoes, basil, roasted peppers), a merlot-sangiovese blend wine (good, but probably $7 more markup than was necessary). Meat eating friends had chicken saltimbocca (again, underseasoned, chicken bland and dry) fusilli with sausage (apparently, the sausage was hard to find in the dish). Our waitress was a bit odd. She was definitely not happy, grumbling a lot, coming back to ask us things she'd forgotten constantly (because she didn't write anything down), and nearly spilling water, food, etc. on all of us (she seemed a bit drunk or high, if that's possible!). Also the restaurant seems to be a favorite destination for big families with young, noisy children, so consider yourself warned. As per usual with Italian cuisine, there were some veg options on the menu (eggplant parm, pasta dishes) but nothing innovative. And if you are vegan, stay away, as you will be limited to pasta covered in bland sauce and oversteamed veggies on the side.
(2)Chris C.
I had the veal scallopini with a glass of chianti......awesome.....but then I had the Tirmisu with a cappuccino. I was very glad I decided to try it here, as I was debating wether to go to Milke's for dessert. It was absolute HEAVEN! The best I have tried anywhere.
(4)Denise M.
Very disappointing experience. Mediocre food and terrible - absolutely terrible - service.
(1)Amy M.
Wish I could give a 4.5...it's SO close to being a 5 star! (Only suffered by comparison to some other wonderful restaurants during the same trip.) I ended up eating here twice during a week long trip to Boston, first time with a business associate. We received outstanding service, good wine recommendations, great entrees (Pollo Abruzzese--chicken, broccoli and garlic tossed in a white wine, I asked for it with the house made fusilli--wonderful! My associate had the Bombolotti alla Buongustaia (housemade special pasta tossed with marinara and spicy italian sausage.) Both dishes were excellent, as was the cannoli we shared for dessert! Went back with family later in the week after a "fail" at another North End restaurant. Great personalized attention from the owner, excellent white sangria and more great food. Lovely restaurant, I'd be a regular if I lived in Boston!
(4)Shannon S.
Located right on Hanover Street, this old school italian eatery seems a little over-the-top vaudeville compared to the modern, crisp look of Lucca and Fiore down the street. Despite the large neon sign and oh-too-typical Italian name, this eatery surprised me when I walked in since the interior was much nicer than at first it seemed. Despite the exterior, the dark light and intimacy of that "quiet Italian place" was all still there. I dined with my coworkers for restaurant week last week and overall, it was a pleasant experience. Our waiter was very attentive with the drinks. As for the meal itself, it had it's highs and lows, though things got better and better as the meal progressed. My appetizer, the Bruchetta was regrettably soggy and the bread was hidden in a pile of tomatoes. I like my bruchetta a little cheesy and with a strong crunch. This bruchetta was colossally big and quite wet with tomato chunks and olive oil. The pizza I got was very tasty, thin crust, large olives, and artichokes, however, I couldn't help but feel that anyone can do pizza and I'd like it. However, the Cannoli--ah the Cannoli, not only was it crisp and delicious it also had a citrus twist to the sweet ricotta to it that gave it that little extra something over every cannoli I've ever been privy to taste in the North End. Honestly, I'd even say that it trumped any cannoli on Hanover, hands down.
(3)San D.
This was the first Italian place we found when we moved to Boston. It is really good. Some of the pastas are handmade, and the winelist is delish. My fave dish was the Saltimbocca di Pollo...YUM. Every time we had a visitor, we took them to this restaurant for a taste of 'little Italy'. We even had a few work team holiday parties here. It does get busy on a Saturday night though, as do most places on Hanover, so try reservations.
(4)Jennifer L.
Negative 1 star for the service - on several occasions our waiter would come by, ask if we needed anything, and before I could even open my mouth, scurried off. Not cool. Negative 1 star for the noise. Not a good place to have an in-depth conversation. Negative 1 star for the tomatoes on my caprese salad which were PINK and mealy instead of red and juicy. C'mon now...even an Olive Garden in Kansas City can do better than that. Plus 1 star for the delicious gnocchi. Yummm....
(3)A N.
on the expensive side... $60 for a lunch for 2. service was not so great... especially when it came time for cashing out
(2)David F.
My sister and I visited Boston a few weeks ago and were trying to find a place to eat on our first night. We stumbled upon Cantina Italiana by pure mistake...but what a great mistake! We waited approximately 30 minutes for our table with no reservation. During that time we enjoyed a bottle of wine and the bartender was very friendly. Once seated, I ordered the Bombolotti alla Buongustaia and my sister orded the Pollo Abruzzese. Both were fantastic. My only reason for not giving this place five stars is that our waiter was a real jerk. One time he came over and started to ask "Is there anything I can get you?" and before he even finished the sentence, he walked away. Anyhow, I'm not going to dwell on him because the rest of the experience was fantastic. It had a very authentic feel and it wasn't too touristy (except for us!). Definitely recommend this place for a solid italian dining experience.
(4)Keith S.
kind of disappointed. While the food was good,the service was lacking. We hit this place on a Saturday night- had reservations but still wanted a half hour. The staff seemed to have success syndrome- that feeling that business will come no matter what so being friendly isn't a required part of the job. There was a group of six of us and we requested separate checks- when traveling- this is usual business. I've worked in restaurants for 25 years so I know the other side of that- what an inconvenience but certainly something that is a part of doing business. We had to ask for bread (in an Italian restaurant)-can you imagine? Our food took a while and we were never offered dessert. I had the feeling the server just wanted us out of there since at last she said she had time to get us separate checks. My food- I had the calamari for an appetizer. It was a bit overcooked and chewy. I know that if prepared well- it doesn't have to be chewy. The red peppers served with the calamari were spicy but delicious. The dinner was pasta with a bolognase sauce and it was awesome. The bill for both items and a glass of wine was $40. I would not have blinked had it not been for the attitude we got from the server. I had actually researched what restaurant we were going to since we were all out of town. I had read in a book about famous restaurants in the little Italy's of the US and this one stood out. Since I had made the recommendation and I'm a food guy- I felt a little pressure. Again- a disappointment. Hopefully this was just a bad night and an isolated incident.
(3)Wayne M.
Solid meal and drink. I ordered the chicken parm dinner, it wa bland at first, however as I got to appreciate the homemade tomoato sauce and bread that complimented it, it was rather enjoyable and declicious. Also ordered a Hoegarden beer and it was served at about 65 degrees and it was excellent. The bartender Zack was very pleasant and personable. He sparked conversation and was attenative to me and the waitstaff who relyed on him to make their drinks for their dining room customers. Zack also recommended some favorites and described them very well and mentioned some of his personal favorites. Good choice for the North End. Price was reasonable, 2 premioum beers, bread, meal, and good conversation cost 31.00. Only reason I didn't rate 5 stars is because I would need a WOW factor when I ate a meal to rate that high of score. Well worth a try! Another benefit of this establishent is that it was very cozy on this 32 degree Winter day. Give it a try!
(4)Tara M.
I prefer this restaurant over others in the North End for its great ambiance. It is cozy and you have plenty of space to yourself. We got four different entrees between us and all were delicious. The wine was great as well. Their Ameretto cake was TO DIE! So so good!
(4)Frank D.
We visited our old favorite on New Year's Eve, and came away sadly disappointed. I was a regular for many years, but hadn't dined there for about two years. This place has changed. The warm greetings are gone, and the wait staff has lost its Italian charm. Our server seemed to be a recent recruit from Taco Bell, with a phony enthusiasm for the menu and limited serving skills. Our meal was presented erratically and inattentively. While inexperience can be forgiven, there is no excuse for cold coffee and dirty fingernails. The special antipasti, a combination of speck ham, mozzarella di bufala, and marinated vegetables was quite good, even with the grocery store bread that accompanied it. A lobster special was unremarkable, and my all-time favorite, Bombolotti con Aragosta has slipped. It is still wonderfully seasoned and flavorful, but skimpy. A $26 entrée should include more than a bit of knuckle meat and few U-20 shrimp. The lobster special at $32, presented a half a chicken lobster, with a couple littlenecks tossed in. Our dessert items and after dinner drinks each arrived separately at about 5 minutes intervals from various servers. And no, it wasn't busy at all compared to a few years ago. It seems to me that the owner has lost interest in the Cantina in favor of his namesake restaurant (Ristorante Fiore) down the street. I'd suggest that he restore the Cantina to its former self, or sell it to someone who cares. It was a wonderful landmark that should always be prominent member of the North End.
(2)Jana O.
I absolutely love this place. It's a 'no frills' atmosphere, but the food is outstanding! I salivate just thinking about going to the Cantina :) Highly recommended for a comforting, authentic italian dinner!
(4)Carol P.
Love The Cantina...I was reccomended by a couple people and had a great experience the few times i have gone.i went there on my anniversary and it was so much fun.They had a guy singing in italian and playing the accordian.Great Food and Great Service!
(5)Tony P.
really, four and half stars - - - perhaps the marinara sauce could be a little more dramatic. Other than that, great stuff-- mussels were top notch and came with a killer little red tomato sauce that was top-notch-- it might be a little crass, but I used my bread for that sauce. Their bread is excellent, their house red is above average. Eggplant parm was very very good and I will definitely be back. I brought my kids and the waiter suggested a simple pasta dish with shrimp that my kids enjoyed. A real nice place to totally go back to . . .
(4)Lisa R.
This is my favorite date restaurant with my boyfriend. I love this place. So cute and quaint and the food is AMAZING. They only serve their pizza at lunchtime unless you sit at the bar or this cute little table in the window for dinner. Dare I say it is extremely close to that authentic Italian pizza I miss so much and the bartender is SO nice. Well worth a trip out to the North End.
(5)Laura S.
It was good, nothing to write home about but we got in the door before the rush and the prices were reasonable. Service was a little bit rough in terms of the hospitality but didnt impact our positive experience. I wouldn't run back but would go again if invited. Would like to try one of the other 90 Italian restaurants in the North End first.
(3)Jessica A.
I spent $26 for my food and was very disappointed with my meal. I had the lasagna. It was not flavorful and tasted like someone simply defrosted it and served us. I went during the summer and the place was so warm we were sweating the entire time. We were very dissatisfied with our service so we gave the waiter a crummy tip. And he followed us out the restaurant and shoved it in our hand. That was very unprofessional! I do not recommend this place. It is an utter disappointment.
(1)Dawn B.
After reading the great reviews, we decided to make reservations for the 4th of July. Perhaps we should have known better when reservations were easy to get and the restaurant was only half full when we walked in. As other reviewers have remarked, the dining room is nothing fancy but it's comfortable and homey. We were seated in a booth across from two couples who were drunk and swearing at each other. Dinner and a show! The service was wonderful, the food however, was miserable. The list of what went wrong: 1. The caprese was not seasoned and the tomatoes were not ripe. 2. My pasta was undercooked--not al dente but so underdone I needed to cut it with a knife! The red sauce had no seasoning and I only had three little pieces of lobster. 3. The scallopini had no citrus flavor and no salt on the pasta. We won't return.
(2)P H.
My all time favorite restaurant. I can't say enough about this place. Valentine's, birthdays, and anniversaries are spent celebrating at Cantina. The food is simply scrumptious! We always ask for Lucy as our server. She is fantastic and knows exactly what we like. But really, all the servers are pleasant. It's a small-ish restaurant and not very fancy, but the food is freshly prepared and we're always happily stuffed when we leave. This is the place to go the next time you're in the North End trying to choose from all those Italian restaurants.
(5)Maryanne C.
I went in here for appetizers and a glass of wine this weekend. What a great place. Nice atmosphere, good food and amazing staff! I really enjoyed it
(5)Adam A.
This restaurant is a nice find and shouldn't be overlooked in the bustling North End of Boston. The attentive wait staff is friendly and knowledgeable; they make sure to ask appropriate questions in order to offer suggestions that may pander to your tastes. The atmosphere is friendly and food is prepared quickly. The wine is worth noting and the staff will often their own in house brands. Despite the need of upkeep and lack of attention to detail in areas like te restroom, the food is delicious and it really makes this place worth trying. Once again the staff is friendly and always makes sure to offer recomendations for the curious Bostonian.
(3)Matt W.
Sure it's gaudy on the outside. I mean, come on, who would choose the flashing neon as their first choice on Hanover street. But the Italian cuisine is on par with the rest of the North End! This would be a good place to bring out of town guests who want the North End experience. This is by far NOT the best restaurant in the north end. That being said, it is still pretty darned good. I agree with Brenden. Whenever we go, we always enjoy it, but have a hard time figuring out why... maybe it's something in their water... The downside is making a reservation. Basically, it reduces your wait time by 5 minutes. Nothing pisses me off more than making a reservation, and showing up on-time, only to have them seat everyone who is waiting for a table before they seat you because they don't want to piss them off. Other than that... and the kind of pricey menu, it is just plain good. Recommended for: visiting friends and relatives who want a canned north end experience (finish with cappuccino and tiramisu at Cafe Vittoria). Not recommended for: Romantic first dates (even though this is the first "Boston date" I took my girlfriend (now wife) on. She married me so she couldn't have thought it was THAT bad.
(4)Lia D.
I came here for lunch with some co-workers while I was in Boston for work. Two of us ordered linguini with sauteed calamari, one person got a house salad with chicken (looked very fresh and he liked it a lot), one person got the chicken abru-something and he cleaned his plate. Yes, my meal was good, but I went into salt overload shortly thereafter. I must have had 3 gallons of water and I STILL had to take advil before I went to bed. I'd be interested to try other places next time.
(3)Roger H.
Love this place. Food is great. Decor is a bit dated. Had the Bonbolotti con Arogosto, which was incredibly good, though could have used a bit more lobster. Family had the lasagna and the chicken parmagiana, which were also great. Highly recommend.
(4)Ed P.
my wife is a huge fan of the cantina, i have more of a demanding palate specially when you are paying 20+ dollars for pasta dishes. regardeless, i have nothing bad to say about the place. i have had better homemade pasticcio for a fraction of the price. But as long as the wife is happy, i will most def go back.
(3)Clode D.
Per face: I'm Italian so I can tell if a pasta is authentic or not (this is the"not" case). I ate there with a party of 4 (all Italian). we all got different dishes and we complained about all of them! Food: awful! pasta missed salt, sauce was disgusting, even the lobster one! definitely overpriced for what you get Service: it was OK, attentive but not overwhelming. Reservations: uhm....we had one, the girl told us we had to wait a couple of minutes and then forgot about us and put us on the waiting list of people who didn't had a reservation...we ended up waiting around 30 min!
(1)Deric M.
i hate to give 5 stars to somewhere i've only been once but the bombolotti alla buongustaia just might be the best dish of italian food i've ever had. i could have died.
(5)Judy D.
Worst Italian red sauce I have EVER had! No flavor and the dessert was even worse if that could even be possible! Good bread and salad, but that was about it.
(1)Stellina M.
Traditional North End Italian restaurant. It is well known and has a clientele that has been going there for years. The pasta is good, but I would avoid any fish dish. The kitchen is always well kept and clean.
(4)Alex B.
Went there last Saturday. To be fair, it wasn't my choice as I have little faith in finding a decent food in Hanover st tourist traps. But since the reservation was already made, I had to go along. Service was OK. Except that you had to wait longer time for waiter attention; to be fair, once again, the place was full. As for the food, appetizer was rather decent (hence 2 stars), but the lamb chops (of of the pricier items on the menu) were simply atrocious! Let me guess what they did to them: You start with a slightly spoiled parts; since they're obviously uneatable at requested medium rare, you cook them to at least medium-well-done. And to ensure you kill the taste, through in some rosemary and burn them from outside till the surface charcoaled. Bleah! And even that wouldn't kill the stink of meat! I really should have send it back! And it wasn't a flux; another party at our table ordered them as well, and had exactly the same comments. I tried salmon ordered by my friend; although not spoiled, it was mediocre to say least: very fishy and dry. Finally, yet another entrée, presumably made with porcini: maybe there was a single porcini mushroom in it, but it definitely didn't make it to this particular plate. Should I mention (the lack of) ambiance/decor? Avoid, avoid, avoid.
(1)Matt G.
What a great spot. I had the chef special. A steak with a raspberry demi glaze. It was one of the best steaks I have ever had. A month ago I went to Morton's and the food at Cantina was better!
(4)Kate M.
This is my favorite restaurant in the North End, by far. Prices are decent, portions are not too huge, and the food is perfectly seasoned. Bonus accordion player on the weekends! Try the Fusilli Quattro Formaggi, you won't be disappointed. Oh, and the desserts aren't bad, either--the ricotta pie was delicious here.
(5)Nancy C.
I had lunch here today with my friend Lisa. She got chicken parm and I had chicken, ziti, and broccoli. It was excellent! We were very happy. The servie was very good also.
(4)melinda j.
Ah, this used to be my favorite Italian restaurant in the north end! We're suckers for the homemade bombolotti, long wagonwheel noodles served with spicy Italian sausage and goat cheese, and the risotto mare, served with calamari, shrimp, and chunks of succulent crab meat.
(5)Erin B.
Mmm mmm mmm! This is one of my favorite lunch spots to hit up in Boston. I have never been disappointed when I come here. My favorite was the sausage/pepper/onion sandwich accompanied by a small mixed greens salad. My friend is always happy with his caprese salad too before his entree. I'll be back for sure!
(4)Laura M.
My boyfriend and I went into the North End one night just looking for something good to eat, but at some place we never have been to before. We ended up picking Cantina Italiana. which was a very good choice. I'm not going to lie I was a little turned off by the neon sign outside. My boyfriend didn't seem to mind...maybe its a girl thing? I ordered the egg plant parm, but got the chicken parm which thank god was very good! I decided to eat it instead of waiting to send it back. I was a little aggravated that they did not get our order right, but it turned out to be a great night in the North End which a delicious meal.
(4)Meredith M.
Came here with my mom for dinner while visiting some colleges. Had tagliolini fruti di mare with the red sauce-AMAZING. I will definitely come back when I visit Boston again.
(4)Ann C.
the neon sign outside and the autograph memorabilia entrance sets you in a more traditional atmosphere. a lot bigger than other restaurants near by. pasta is great, but they dont' carry red pepper flakes (only hot pepper oil) and the dessert tray is so GOOD!
(4)Jessica G.
My daughter and I stopped here December 27, 2011. II give it a two because the service was terrible. I feel like the waiter, Fabio, disregarded us as soon as he saw it was only on e adult, one child (14) taking up one of his booths and my daughter was not hungry. (We just finished with a full day at Boston Childrens - and she did not have an appetite.) I ordered eggplant parm, a glass of wine, and a bottle of mineral water and the bill was $52 (with 20% tip). - The eggplant was warm - but not hot. The waiter basically dropped the food and ran. I had to wait to catch him to ask for parm cheese. The value is very low at this restaurant. Had my daughter felt better - or had it not been raining, we would have waited in line for Gaiccomo's or other. If the service had been better- I probably would have gratefully paid the $52 and returned someday. But service makes the difference. I noticed the large party behind me grunt a few times over this same waiter. Just know who to ask for - I don't know who that is....but perhaps these reviews will help us to know who to avoid and who to seek as your waiter.
(2)Chris P.
The service was horrible I went there on 10/17 and when I asked the waiter a question he grunted at me and when I said excuse me he acted like he was mad at me for not understanding his grunts! I will never go back there again I don't go out to eat to be treated rudely! Avoid this place there are far better places to go in the North End.
(2)michelle w.
Can't miss this place with the bright pink and green neon sign! Food was ok- I had the eggplant parm, which is a dish that I don't generally get because I love Italian seafood dishes. It was just ok, I've had better at other North End Restaurants. We were kind of annoyed by the fact that we had been forced to pay for the trip of gentlemen trying to seranade us.
(3)Matt P.
Great food, north end prices but small place and a very limited bar.
(4)Gourmet G.
Open since 1931, this is one of the North End's oldest restaurants, offering Italian cooking that sticks to the basics. Start with an order of fresh mozzarella and sliced tomatoes with grilled crostini or fried calamari and hot cherry peppers, then move on to their pasta specialty, homemade bombolotti (wagon wheels) with either spicy sausage or sauteed lobster in marina sauce. The osso bucco, served on a bed of saffron risotto, and roast filet of salmon filet with a basil-aioli sauce, are superb. The friendly staff clearly takes pride in their work. Fans know this is one of the Bruins' favorite post-game hangouts. Personally, I couldn't even tell you what sport they play.
(4)Brenden L.
This place is one of my favorites in the North End though I can't place exactly why...its just good. Nothing overly exceptional or memorable but everythin here is really really...good.
(4)Bob H.
We had a great dinner at Cantina Italiana August 8, 2008. I recommend a pasta dish. We also enjoyed the least expensive bottle of Chianti ($25). The waiter Carlo made a big impression on my daughters (10,13). Carlo was also very enthusiastic about the menu. Overall a great family restaurant.
(4)jkhkjh j.
Very nice italian restaurant, one of the best in the North end. Great atmosphere; call ahead, the wait can be very long. Some of the entrees are on the expensive side, prices start at about 17+. The calamari appetizer is very good. There is not a full beer--only wine and a few beers.
(4)