A Guide to Bostons Italy: The North End

Discover Bostons oldest
neighborhood and the citys Italian-American enclave

A neighborhood famed for countless Italian restaurants, pastry,
and Prince
spaghettiis now one of Bostons most highly coveted areas, in
particular for its proximity to Faneuil Hall, downtown and Bostons
waterfront. Hanover Street, the neighborhoods main stretch, is full
of Italian restaurants and gelato stands among specialty and
souvenir shops. July and August are highlighted by a series of
street festivals, or feste, honoring various saints, and by local
community events that draw people from all over the city.

The North End was designed to be a completely self-sufficient
inner city haven, one my family has lived in this neighborhood for
over 100 years, states
Toni Gilardiof The
Gilardi Group. It was self-governed and had its own butcher,
fisheries, groceries, retail shops, imported goods, schools,
churches, and health center, courtesy of my Aunt Elaine Wilson who
saw a need for residents to have easy access to healthcare.

Today, people from all over the world now call this thriving
neighborhood their home. Even with the modern changes to our
landscape and demographic, the integrity of a safe, friendly,
family-oriented, and convenient neighborhood still exists, says
Gilardi.

Never been? We give you four reasons to walk its cobblestone
streets, where Gilardi promises you can still smell the sweet scent
of garlic and tomatoes.

Pick up the perfect slice

When it comes to pizza, Regina Pizzeriais
worth the dough. The Thacher Street storefront, complete with
welcoming neon signage, has been drawing lines of devotees since
1926 including Gibson Sothebys International Realtys

David Ashton, a former North End resident who
vacations at his family home in Italy every year.

Pizzeria Regina has the best pizza on the planet!Be sure to top
it all off with a stroll over to Mike’s Pastryon Hanover
Street for a take-home dessert.Like most in the North End, the
place gets packed, but the lines move quickly and the pastry is
worth the wait. Top it all off with espresso and gelato from
Vittoria
Caff, world-renowned as the first Italian caff in
Boston. Buon appetito!

Enjoy an authentic Italian meal

In the food lovers paradise that is Bostons Little Italy,
hitting all the best eateries is a tall order. But these select few
should get you started. Indulge in rich house-made pastas at
Briccowindows
open onto the street in balmy weather. Antico Fornois a
rustic neighborhood staple. and its signature wood-burning brick
oven makes any dish a hit. AtMare, seafood lovers like
Gilardi can delight in Italian-stylefrutti de mare.The raw
bar features more than a dozen types of oysters nightly. For
special occasions, Mamma Mariaserves up
extraordinary service and a regional Italian menu anchored by local
ingredients. Yes, some restaurants are tourist traps, but know that
youll return home feeling stuffed no matter where you dine.

Take In 300-plus years ofhistory

Bostons popularFreedom Trailwinds
its way through the North End to historic American Revolution sites
including Old North
Churchand
Copp’s Hill Burying Ground. Dating back to 1680,
The Paul Revere
Housewas once home to the revolutionary silversmith,
famed for his 1775 midnight ride through the Boston area.Enjoy
living history presentations, music, and demonstrations of
traditional crafts at the connected museum.

Attend a summer feast

Every summer, as many as 250,000 people cram the neighborhood to
watch traditional processions,lights adorning the streets and the
sweet smell of sausage in the air.

My family, from Sciacca Sicily, celebrates Fishermans
Feastevery year, based on the devotion of the
fishermen from Sciacca to theMadonna
del Soccorso, Gilardi says. Aside from Saint Anthonys
Feast, this one of thelargestof the North End’s
traditional feast observances.

There are five full-scale feasts now, including the Fishermans
Feast, Saint Anthonys Feast, St. Lucy, St. Agrippina, and Madonna
della Cava.