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Cantina Italiana, Boston, MA

Cantina Italiana

4.7
4.7
2836 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 50 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
An iconic tradition in Boston's "Little Italy", Cantina Italiana serves the tastes that make the North End famous. Started in 1931, Cantina Italiana is the oldest restaurant in the historic North End of Boston. We boast over 90 years of tradition in providing the best in homestyle Italian American and authentic southern Italian cuisine, the freshest New England seafood, and unparalleled service and experience. Cantina Italiana's warm, charming, and traditional atmosphere gives our restaurant a relaxed setting to enjoy you meal amongst the most important parts of your dining and drink experience: family, friends, and of course...food! Enjoy and cheer among us as we would at home: Mangia, Beve, e Buona Salute!

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri 12:00 pm–11:30 pm Sat 12:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 12:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (617) 723-4577
  • Website
    http://www.cantinaitaliana.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Ciriaco Colella
  • Catering
    Catering is available upon request.
  • Location
    346 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02113
  • Neighbourhood
    North End
  • Cross Street
    Fleet Street
  • Parking details
    We offer valet parking after 4:00pm daily. The cost is $24 per car. We also validate @ the Parcel 7 garage near Haymarket Square.
  • Public transit
    Closest stops are North Station and Haymarket
  • Entertainment
    We are offering a special menu on SUNDAYS from 12:00pm-10:30pm, 2 courses for $25.00.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wine

Menu

Main

  • BruschettaUS$7.00

    Grilled Italian bread topped with marinated plum tomatoes and Mozzarella, drizzled with olive oil and basil

    • CapreseUS$13.00

      Imported fresh Mozzarella cheese served with tomatoes, roasted red peppers and basil, drizzled with olive oil

      • Zuppa di CozzeUS$11.00

        Sautéed mussels with black pepper, lemon and olive oil

        • Frittura di CalamariUS$12.00

          Fried calamari tossed with garlic and cherry peppers, served with marinara sauce

          • Insalata della CasaUS$9.00

            Mixed greens, cucumbers, carrots, grape tomatoes and red onions, served with homemade creamy Italian or Balsamic

            • With Grilled ChickenUS$14.00
            • With Calamari or ShrimpUS$16.00

          • Insalata CesareUS$9.00

            Romaine lettuce tossed with homemade Caesar dressing, served with garlic croutons and shaved Parmigiano cheese

            • With Grilled ChickenUS$14.00
            • With Calamari or ShrimpUS$16.00

          • Spinaci con Noci e GorgonzolaUS$9.00

            Baby spinach tossed with balsamic vinaigrette dressing, with honey toasted walnuts and crumbled gorgonzola cheese

            • With Grilled ChickenUS$14.00
            • With Calamari or ShrimpUS$16.00

          • Pizzetta MargheritaUS$12.00

            Topped with fresh tomato sauce, basil, Parmigiano and Mozzarella cheese

            • Pizzetta al ProsciuttoUS$15.00

              Topped with fresh tomato sauce, Parmigiano cheese, Mozzarella cheese and Prosciutto

              • Pizzetta con SalsicciaUS$14.00

                Topped with fresh tomato sauce, Mozzarella cheese, caramelized onions and spicy Italian sausage

                • Pizzetta Quattro StagioniUS$15.00

                  Topped with fresh tomato sauce, Mozzarella cheese, roasted peppers, mushrooms, artichokes, Calamata olives

                  • Pizzetta CapricciosaUS$14.00

                    Topped with fresh tomato sauce, Mozzarella cheese, artichokes, mushrooms and Parma Cotta ham

                    • Pizzetta con FunghiUS$14.00

                      Topped with fresh tomato sauce, Mozzarella, Gorgonzola cheese and wild mushroom

                      • Gnocchi di PatateUS$14.00

                        Homemade potato gnocchi tossed with a choice of fresh tomato or Bolognese sauce

                        • Ravioli di RicottaUS$15.00

                          Cheese stuffed ravioli served with a San Marzano tomato sauce

                          • Parmigiana di MelanzaneUS$15.00

                            Baked breaded eggplant layered with Mozzarella cheese with a plum tomato sauce and Parmigiano cheese

                            • Maccheroni al FornoUS$14.00

                              Baked pasta tossed with spicy sausage, plum tomato sauce, Parmigiano and Goat cheese

                              • Maccheroni alla BoscailaUS$14.00

                                Homemade pasta with sautéed mushrooms and Parma ham, tossed in a tomato cream sauce with fresh basil

                                • TagliatelleUS$14.00

                                  Homemade Tagliatelle pasta tossed with a choice of a classic tomato, Bolognese or Amatriciana sauce

                                  • Spaghetti con PolpetteUS$15.00

                                    Spaghetti tossed with marinara sauce topped with homemade sirloin meatballs

                                    • Lasagna al FornoUS$17.00

                                      Layers of homemade pasta sheets, besciamela and meat sauce, topped with Mozzarella cheese and baked to perfection

                                      • Maccheroni con Pollo e BroccoliUS$15.00

                                        Chicken sauteed with garlic and broccoli in a white wine Parmigiano cheese sauce with pasta

                                        • Pollo MarsalaUS$15.00

                                          Boneless chicken breast sautéed with mushrooms and sweet Marsala wine

                                          • Parmigiana di PolloUS$14.00

                                            Our traditional Chicken Parmigiana or Veal Parmigiana, served with pasta

                                            • VitelloUS$16.00

                                          • Spaghetti con le CozzeUS$13.00

                                            Mussels' sautéed in a light cherry tomato sauce, served over Spaghetti

                                            • Spaghetti con CalamariUS$14.00

                                              Calamari sautéed with fresh garlic and basil in a plum tomato sauce, served with spaghetti

                                              • Spaghetti con le VongoleUS$15.00

                                                Clams sautéed with garlic and olive oil in a white wine sauce, tossed with spaghetti

                                                Last updated: February 2, 2022

                                                What 2,836 people are saying

                                                Overall ratings and reviews

                                                Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                                4.7
                                                4.7 based on recent ratings
                                                • 4.7Food
                                                • 4.7Service
                                                • 4.4Ambience
                                                • 4.5Value

                                                Noise • Moderate

                                                Review summary

                                                AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                Cantina Italiana in Boston's North End is a beloved classic, offering "amazing food and service" in a charming, old-school Italian ambiance. Diners rave about the "authentic Italian cuisine," hearty portions, and standout servers like Omar, who ensure a memorable dining experience. It's a must-visit for genuine Italian flavors.

                                                2,836 Reviews

                                                1. John

                                                  Greater Boston

                                                  3 reviews

                                                  5.0

                                                  3 reviews

                                                  Dined 2 days ago

                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                  2. Food 5
                                                  3. Service 5
                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                  Wonderful experience, wonderful food, and would return again

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                                                2. Suzanne

                                                  VIP

                                                  New York City

                                                  19 reviews

                                                  5.0

                                                  19 reviews

                                                  Dined 3 days ago

                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                  2. Food 5
                                                  3. Service 5
                                                  4. Ambience 4
                                                  Great food, huge dinner portions. Be warned that if you have a reservation you may still need to wait a bit to be seated depending on when you go.

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                                                3. Ryan

                                                  Greater Boston

                                                  1 review

                                                  5.0

                                                  1 review

                                                  Dined 3 days ago

                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                  2. Food 5
                                                  3. Service 5
                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                  Omar was incredible, food was phenomenal as well.

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                                                4. Meredith

                                                  Chicago

                                                  1 review

                                                  5.0

                                                  1 review

                                                  Dined 5 days ago

                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                  2. Food 4
                                                  3. Service 4
                                                  4. Ambience 4
                                                  Lively, busy place in the heart of the North End., Good food made of high quail ingredients. Perfunctory service. They ran out of the holiday dessert before 6:30pm.

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                                                5. Melissa

                                                  Greater Boston

                                                  2 reviews

                                                  5.0

                                                  2 reviews

                                                  Dined 5 days ago

                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                  2. Food 5
                                                  3. Service 5
                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                  We had an amazing Christmas Day dinner at Cantina Italiana. Our server was the sweetest and very attentive. The food was excellent and tasted very fresh. The kids were excited that they served lemon sorbetto in carved out lemons and the espresso martini was terrific. An outstanding experience overall!

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                                                6. anny

                                                  VIP

                                                  Greater Boston

                                                  11 reviews

                                                  5.0

                                                  11 reviews

                                                  Dined 5 days ago

                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                  2. Food 5
                                                  3. Service 5
                                                  4. Ambience 4
                                                  food was very flavorful and waiter was very attentive. only downside was that we were seated at a corner table in the back right outside the kitchen, so it was a little hectic with people walking past and trash was coming in and out from the back. besides that - definitely recommend!

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                                                7. siusan

                                                  Washington DC

                                                  5 reviews

                                                  4.0

                                                  5 reviews

                                                  Dined 5 days ago

                                                  1. Overall 4
                                                  2. Food 4
                                                  3. Service 5
                                                  4. Ambience 3
                                                  My husband, daughter and I ate here for our Christmas Day dinner. We had reservations and we were seated right away. My daughter had the fettuccine with Creme and that was very satisfying, my husband remarked his dinner was very good, it included pasta, meatballs and beef. I ordered a Caesar Salad for an appetizer which was very dry and for my meal I had muscles which were underwhelming. I’m used to having a rich, garlic, lemon sauce with muscles ( we’re from the coast of Maine) and to be honest this sauce was not at all flavorful. The toast that came with the muscles was burnt so I was unable to eat it. The biggest disappointment was I had mentioned it was my 66th birthday and no one said a thing. Granted it was very very busy and they most probably forgot. I read others reviews which were excellent. I unfortunately did not have that experience.

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                                                8. TimM

                                                  Miami

                                                  3 reviews

                                                  5.0

                                                  3 reviews

                                                  Dined 5 days ago

                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                  2. Food 5
                                                  3. Service 5
                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                  Great meal in North End with family.

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                                                9. Maryelizabeth

                                                  Greater Boston

                                                  2 reviews

                                                  5.0

                                                  2 reviews

                                                  Dined 5 days ago

                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                  2. Food 5
                                                  3. Service 5
                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                  Great food, excellent service! Love this restaurant on Christmas day!

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                                                10. timothy

                                                  VIP

                                                  Greater Boston

                                                  4 reviews

                                                  5.0

                                                  4 reviews

                                                  Dined 6 days ago

                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                  2. Food 5
                                                  3. Service 5
                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                  We have never been to cantina Italiana before. And on Xmas Eve. The service was excellent Omar was our server and was point on. The food was excellent. The esspresso martini delish. Great vibe. The food was a 10!! If you haven’t tried this place you need to go !! So good. 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🎄🎄🎄🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️💙💙🤶🤶🤶🌙🙏🙏🙏🙏

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                                                FAQs

                                                Cantina Italiana offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (617) 723-4577.

                                                Cantina Italiana is rated 4.7 stars by 2836 OpenTable diners.

                                                Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                                Make a reservation

                                                2 people
                                                7:00 p.m.
                                                Booked 50 times today

                                                Order delivery or takeout

                                                Google Map for Cantina Italiana

                                                346 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02113

                                                Dining areas

                                                Additional information

                                                • Cross Street
                                                  Fleet Street
                                                • Neighbourhood
                                                  North End
                                                • Hours of Operation
                                                  Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri 12:00 pm–11:30 pm Sat 12:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 12:00 pm–11:00 pm
                                                • Price
                                                  $31 to $50
                                                • Cuisines
                                                  Italian
                                                • Dining style
                                                  Casual Dining
                                                • Dress code
                                                  Casual Dress
                                                • Parking details
                                                  We offer valet parking after 4:00pm daily. The cost is $24 per car. We also validate @ the Parcel 7 garage near Haymarket Square.
                                                • Public transit
                                                  Closest stops are North Station and Haymarket
                                                • Payment Options
                                                  AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                • Executive Chef
                                                  Ciriaco Colella
                                                • Entertainment
                                                  We are offering a special menu on SUNDAYS from 12:00pm-10:30pm, 2 courses for $25.00.
                                                • Additional
                                                  Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wine
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