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Cantina Italiana, Boston, MA
Cantina Italiana, Boston, MA
Cantina Italiana, Boston, MA
Cantina Italiana, Boston, MA
Cantina Italiana, Boston, MA

Cantina Italiana

4.7
4.7
2495 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian
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!

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 28 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri 4:00 pm–11:30 pm Sat 12:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 12:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (617) 723-4577
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Ciriaco Colella
  • Catering
    Catering is available upon request.
  • Neighborhood
    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

What 2,495 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

NoiseModerate

2,495 Reviews
  1. TaylorB

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    After years, I finally made a reservation and ate here. They exceeded our expectations.

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  2. NancyM

    Orlando

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Overall EXCELLENT!! My only negative would be we had a 6:30 reservation and was not seated until 7:15.

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  3. Xenody

    Greater Boston

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food is good, definitely recommend. The 2 times I’ve been here, at quiet and busy times, the food does take a while to come out. So if you’re in a rush, I wouldn’t recommend this place. But if you can take your time, it’s a must go!

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  4. ArnaudT

    France

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 24, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience2
    Très bons plats de pâtes, copieux. Service standard mais ambiance bien trop bruyante

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  5. JohnP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Omar was an outstanding waiter! We were there on a rainy, but busy Saturday evening - reservation for 6:30 pm. Just a great old school North End restaurant (might be the oldest in the neighborhood at this point?) No frills, good atmosphere. Young people, families, couples, large groups. Bar was also nice and busy-Red Sox game was on up there. Food was great! Went with the fusilli and sausage pasta dish and veal saltimbocca with homemade pasta for main course. Had the antipasto special with mozzarella, prosciutto, artichoke, and red pepper for appetizer. Amazing. And for desert - the lemon zest cannoli with choc chips. Maine Lunch on tap and Montepulciano wine. 100% recommend.

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  6. Rafy0511

    Cincinnati

    49 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    49 reviews

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Not many restaurants open on rainy Saturday afternoon. It did have great reviews and the food and service did not disappoint. The veal and chicken Parmesan were excellent. It was louder than I liked but it was a packed house! Excellent place to dine for any occasion.

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  7. TonyC

    Greater Boston

    32 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on September 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    As usual, a great experience. Server was very attentive and accommodating. I had asked for Pasta dish to be altered with a light sauce rather than Far Diavolo. Without hesitation, the server agreed. server recommendations were detailed and accurate. Great food and a very enjoyable experience with my family of 6. /will be going back soon with guests.

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  8. BostonLH

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food is phenomenal! Great staff, great food and great cocktails. I would definitely recommend the pasta dish with sausage and goat cheese. And their seasonal pear cocktail was perfect!

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  9. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service was perfect and the food was delicious . Would go back again!

    Is this helpful?

  10. JayO

    Greater Boston

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on September 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    You feel like you are in Italy. We went right before a Peter Gabriel concert at TD Garden and it was an easy 15 minute walk to the show. We orederd our food at 6:30 p.m. and were in our seats before 8 p.m.

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  11. davidf

    Las Vegas

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on September 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, very kind pleasant servers. Always my go to Italian place when I'm in Boston.

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  12. KellieV

    Orlando

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious from start to finish. Tried the Bombolotti and thoroughly enjoyed it.

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  13. AmyL

    Indiana

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Omar did an amazing job taking care of us! His food recommendations were spot on.

    Is this helpful?

  14. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Really beautiful spot had a lot of fun with my husband! Really loud restaurant

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  15. DebbyC

    Greater Boston

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Hadn’t been here since before the pandemic. We went with friends and were very happy to see the the food was still great and the service was too! Love the home made pasta!

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  16. GraceS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The pasta dishes are absolutely to die for. The restaurant gives you old “ma & pap” vibes and the handmade pasta is out of this world.

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  17. SBPinthene

    Greater Boston

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on September 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Enjoyed a delicious meal of rughetta salads and pollo e broccoli americano. Service is always attentive, Fatima was exceptional.

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  18. OpenTable Diner

    Fort Lauderdale

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Great food.. have the papardelle with pesto and the artichoke appetizer

    Is this helpful?

  19. keithg

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great place would definitely recommend. Food was amazing.

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  20. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was wonderful and service was great- would definitely dine here again. Also really happy to have delicious gluten-free pasta options!

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  21. LouisB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Good flavors, well executed dishes and reasonably priced. Glad I tried them out would be back if I was local.

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  22. ShelleyB

    San Antonio

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was phenomenal. Definitely a must if you come to Boston for Italian food.

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  23. BillP

    Las Vegas

    4 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    Staff was very good and attentive. Meals were average and not really on par with other restaurants in the neighborhood. A bit expensive for the mediocre meals we ordered.

    1 person found this helpful

  24. JamesH

    Minneapolis

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Delicious meal and wonderful host. Saint Anthony festival was going on so high energy all around. A definite must.

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  25. CherylG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We drive about an hour to eat here. Its our favorite Italian restaurant for all of our special occasions!

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  26. mkchag

    Greater Boston

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    So good! First time here and no one in our group was disappointed. We’ll be back!

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  27. OpenTable Diner

    Detroit

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 23, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Overall it was pretty good. Very typically good for the North End. It was me and my grandparents and the food tasted great. Grandma had the lasagna and said it was AMAZING! Grandpa had their signature pasta shape with a sausage dish, good. I had the fusilli pasta with spicy sausage & broccoli rabe , which I thought was great. Tiramisu was great, very soft, not very sturdy if that’s what you’re looking for, but delicious. I tried to pay but they beat me to it, so I have no idea what the total $$ was. North end is always expensive, but you have to bring your guests, so it is what it is. I’d come back definitely

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  28. AndreaH

    Greater Boston

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on August 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great restaurant! Food was delicious, and the service was fantastic!

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  29. Anonymous

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Good was delicious and reasonably priced for downtown Boston. Our server Omar, was great!

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  30. OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience3
    Eat here every time I come to Boston!! Excellent!!

    Is this helpful?

  31. RichardM

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Had guests in town. Everything was delicious, service was wonderful, outstanding local restaurant.

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  32. bethl

    Greater Boston

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on August 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I have eaten in the north end for decades. For some reason I never tried here but decided to during Dine Out Boston. This is the BEST restaurant I have ever eater in in the North End. I will be going back soon!

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  33. mj0414

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I found this online when trying to pick a spot on Hanover. It did not disappoint and I’m not sure we’ll go try anywhere else if we return. The food and staff were wonderful!

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  34. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 15, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Service was excellent, dishes were filling, drinks and dessert were a treat!

    Is this helpful?

  35. Mbsteak

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious food! We all devoured our meals. Make sure to make a reservation!

    Is this helpful?

  36. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    79 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    79 reviews

    Dined on August 11, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    great location with great service. Salmon was best dish. Everyone else enjoyed their meal. $3 validated parking at Haymarket Garage a big plus. Note they do not have outdoor seating currently.

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  37. MarkG

    Greater Boston

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful experience and our server was so welcoming and accommodating. Amazing food.

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  38. DandJfromCenterville

    Greater Boston

    6 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 9, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    Nice hole in the wall restaurant on Hanover Street. Very nice staff. Seating was very tight and a little dated (a hard seated booth) with dim lighting making hard to read the menu. Food was good but not great. It was very busy on a Wednesday night and the noise level was pretty loud due to the hard surfaces everywhere.

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  39. StevenK

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on August 7, 2023

    overall2food1service4ambience4
    Food was pretty bland. The Chicken Parm I had had almost no flavor, not sure how that’s possible. Plus it was not hot. Bread looked like it was from a supermarket and not freshly made. Total disappointment

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  40. KristyM

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    We were visiting Boston and able to make a last minute reservation. The staff was friendly and the service was great! It was quite warm in the restaurant. Added bonus there was an Italian festival going on! Would recommend this restaurant to anyone!

    Is this helpful?

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
    • Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Cantina Italiana using the Order Online button. Cantina Italiana also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (617) 723-4577.

Cantina Italiana is rated 4.7 stars by 2495 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 PM


Booked 28 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
  • Neighborhood
    North End
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri 4:00 pm–11:30 pm Sat 12:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 12:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • 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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