431 Columbus Avenue
Boston, MA 02116
*Disclaimer: We were not paid for this review. All opinions are our own and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Update: this location has closed, however, you can still visit the North End cafe at 355 Hanover Street.
Boston is well known for its' many prominent historical attractions, including the famous Freedom Trail. Along this historical landmark, you will find Boston's charming North End Neighborhood, known for its' abundance of authentic, local Italian restaurants.
One of the most popular and delicious options is Giacomo's. In fact, the restaurant is so popular that a waiting line often begins to form well in advance of dinner. Oftentimes, a restaurant's popularity goes hand in hand with the quality of service and quality of food. In Giacomo's case, this definitely rings true.
Giacomo's offers a wonderful menu of Italian favorites and individual specialties. The Pumpkin Tortellini is one of the best dishes you will ever experience. What a perfect warm treat during the cool fall season! Fortunately, they serve this dish the entire year, so no matter when your visit falls you can treat yourself to this creamy masterpiece!
And, how could you visit Boston without trying a wonderful Lobster based entree? Mike absolutely loved this dish and already wants to dine here again just to enjoy it again. Giacomo's signature Lobster Ravioli is a unique treat, one that any seafood lover will approve of.
Other dinner specialties include: Butternut Squash Ravioli with mascarpone cream, Chicken or Veal Marsala, and Pan Roasted Cod Loin. A full wine selection is available to complement your meal.
As of 2025, the menu is a bit different at the Hanover St (North End) location. App highlights include: calamari, eggplant rollatini, fried mozzarella, and bruschetta. Entrees include a variety of choices in the following categories: linguini, ravioli, marsala, parmesan, and grilled seafood. There are lots of choices for seafood lovers including linguini with clams, mussels, shrimp, or scallops. Thankfully, they kept the wonderful Lobster Ravioli and Pumpkin Tortellini on the menu! I would love to try the Eggplant Parmesan or Butternut Squash ravioli on my next visit!
Service is wonderful and accommodating. Substitutions can be made with no problem. Fortunately, the crowded atmosphere does not necessarily mean that the service is slow. Waiters are professional and friendly, never rushing anyone.
There are 2 locations to choose from, both on the Northern and Southern End. Try out the Boston Common location for a less crowded atmosphere. There is often no wait on less crowded weekdays. You also get the advantage of being within close proximity to Boston Common. Take a refreshing walk before or after your meal at the country's oldest public park. The setting is a bit crowded and noisy, nevertheless, the vibe remains cozy, local, and authentic. Update: As I mentioned above, the Boston Common restaurant is closed. However, dining at the North End restaurant would be a welcome break after a long day exploring historical sights.
A visit to Boston would not be complete without treating yourself to a wonderful meal at one of the city's many North End Italian restaurants. Giacomo's is worthy of a spot on your itinerary for the 2 dishes mentioned above alone.
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind meal in a wonderful city. There are so many fantastic things to do both before and after your meal. What better setting could you ask for? Round out your perfect day in this fantastic city with a fabulous meal at Giacomo's. It's my favorite Italian restaurant in the city: I even recently took some friends here when they were visiting the city for the first time.
