Have you ever experienced a place so magical that just a mere reminder of it makes you long to return? For me, this special place is Italy, a beautiful country where I was once fortunate to reside for two glorious years. The cuisine in Italy was amazing: cappuccino for breakfast every morning, pasta for dinner, and of course lots of delicious desserts. And the sights and culture of this European nation were equally as enchanting to witness. I’ve been yearning for a return trip ever since I left, but unfortunately, I have yet to make it happen. Luckily, I have the next best thing not far from home, and whenever I start to dream of Italy, a trip to the North End of Boston does the trick.
There are so many things that I love about the North End, but of course, my favorite aspect is the food. The compact .36 square miles neighborhood boasts dozens of Italian restaurants ranging from upscale restaurants such as Strega, to casual pizza spots like Galleria Umberto and “Boston’s original pizzeria,” Pizzeria Regina. The Italian cuisine is as authentic as you can get on this side of the ocean. My all-time favorite eatery is La Famiglia Giorgio’s, a long-standing restaurant where the portions are gigantic and the wine selection is vast.
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This small section of the city was established in the 1630s and is considered to be the oldest neighborhood in Boston. The area has rich ties to the Revolutionary War. Historical buildings such as the Old North Church and Paul Revere’s home are open to the public and worth a visit.
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The 1860s brought waves of immigrants to the North End, and a large portion of these people were from Italy. By the 1930s, the neighborhood was almost exclusively populated by residents of Italian descent. While a portion of North Enders still trace their heritage back to Italy, the makeup of the neighborhood has changed over the years. However, the spirit of Italy still lives on in this small section of the city, also known as Boston’s Little Italy.
The North End not only has fantastic restaurants, but it is also full of souvenir shops, cafés, and markets. Celebration of Italian heritage is especially strong during the neighborhood’s annual festivals or “feasts,” which take place during summer weekends. A different saint is celebrated with each feast, and there are parades, music, religious ceremonies, and lots of great food to mark these occasions. The most well-known festival, Saint Anthony’s Feast, takes place in late August. The event has been going strong for over a century and is quite the sight to experience.
You can’t leave Boston’s Little Italy without dessert. Grab a gelato or a world-famous cannoli from Mike’s Pastry and take some time to wander down the narrow cobblestone streets and explore all that the North End has to offer. As you take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the historic neighborhood, you can’t help but feel the spirit of Italy surround you.
Do you have a favorite North End restaurant or pastry shop? If you would like to sample all the great eats that this special part of the city has to offer, you can do so by taking the North End Guided Food Tour & Market Visit, which includes eight different tastings.
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