An Italian restaurant that opened in Boston’s North End just three months ahead of the COVID-19 Pandemic has shut down.
Rabia’s Dolce Fumo closed after more than five years on Thursday, June 26, the restaurant wrote in a Facebook post.
“From our opening day on December 2, 2019, three months before the official declaration of the nation’s pandemic, to our closing night on June 26, 2025, the past five years were nothing short of a wild ride,” the post reads. “From our hard working and dedicated team, to our patrons who honored us by celebrating life’s important moments with us, and to our loyal families and friends who supported us the whole way, we are FOREVER GRATEFUL.”
While the restaurant did not provide a specific reason for the closure, the post indicated that “it was time to close this chapter and for us to explore new endeavors (stay tuned).”
“We will always be North End strong,” the restaurant added.
Rabia’s Dolce Fumo was located in the heart of the North End at 73 Salem St. The restaurant was known in part for its seafood, with standout dishes including clam chowder, oysters, antipasto, steamed mussels, lobster rolls, linguini with clams, frutti di mare, steamed lobsters, fettuccine carbonara, pasta bolognese and veal parmigiana.
“In April 2025 my friend and I were on a school field trip (from Florida) and this was one of our ‘free night’ stops,” one Facebook user commented on Rabia’s post. “We had an unforgettable night sitting at the bar enjoying the absolute best martinis we’ve ever had. We will miss you.”
“You were honestly our favorite Italian Restaurant when visiting Boston,” one Facebook user commented on Rabia’s post. “We only wish you all the best in all of your future endeavors!”