North End Little Italy Food Tour: Authentic Italian Cuisine in Boston's Oldest Neighborhood
Discover Boston's vibrant Italian heritage on our 3-hour walking tour through the historic North End. Sample authentic Italian specialties from family-owned bakeries, pizzerias, and specialty shops while exploring charming cobblestone streets with our expert local guides.
Tour Details
Experience Boston's Little Italy Like a Local
Boston’s North End is the city’s oldest residential neighborhood and has been home to a vibrant Italian-American community since the early 1900s. Our North End Little Italy Food Tour takes you beyond the tourist spots to experience the authentic flavors and rich cultural heritage that make this neighborhood a culinary treasure.
Stroll through narrow, winding streets lined with historic buildings as your knowledgeable guide shares fascinating stories about the neighborhood’s transformation from a colonial settlement to the thriving Italian enclave it is today. Along the way, you’ll stop at carefully selected family-owned establishments to sample traditional Italian specialties made from recipes passed down through generations.
What Makes Our North End Tour Special
- Authentic Italian Experience: Taste traditional recipes from family-owned establishments
- Hidden Gems: Visit local favorites often missed by tourists
- Rich Cultural History: Learn about Italian immigration and its lasting impact on Boston
- Expert Local Guides: Gain insider knowledge from guides who know the neighborhood intimately
- Perfect Variety: Sample everything from fresh pasta and pizza to cannoli and Italian beverages
Exceptional North End Destinations
Salumeria Italiano
This family-run shop is as authentically old-world Italian as you can get. Since 1962, Salumeria has been providing locals of the North End with only the best in Italian foods.
Pagliuca’s Ristorante
Locals line up for the homemade pastas and dishes in this family-run Southern Italian trattoria.
Pizzeria Regina
This North End pizzeria has been wowing locals and visitors alike with their more than 90-year-old secret recipe for brick oven pizza. Voted Best Pizza in USA by Tripadvisor.
Bova Bakery
For over 80 years, the Bova staff and family has produced award-winning Italian pastries and treats from traditional Italian family recipes. Bova is known for their genuine Italian baking styles and fresh ingredients.
Polcari’s Coffee
Polcari’s Coffee has been a staple in the North End since 1932 and still offers Mr. Polcari’s famous house roast that has maintained its popularity with the locals.
Modern Pastry
An award-winning, family-owned Italian bakery, Modern Pastry was created by the Picariello family over 70 years ago on Hanover Street in Boston’s North End.
Your North End Tour Experience
Your culinary journey begins on Hanover Street in the heart of the North End. From there, your expert guide will lead you through the neighborhood’s charming streets, stopping at carefully selected establishments to sample authentic Italian specialties.
As you stroll through the neighborhood, you’ll discover hidden courtyards, historic churches, and architectural gems while learning about the North End’s evolution from a colonial settlement to the thriving Italian-American community it is today. Your guide will share fascinating stories about Italian immigration to Boston, famous residents, and how this close-knit community has preserved its cultural heritage for generations.
The tour concludes near your starting point, leaving you with recommendations for additional places to explore in the neighborhood and a deeper appreciation for Boston’s Italian heritage.
