Best of Boston

Best Italian Restaurant

1998 Best Italian Restaurant, Traditional

Mamma Maria

Boston
Don't be misled by the name: this ain't no spaghetti house. Bringing high-end Northern cuisine to the North End, chef Bill Wallo is a maestro [...] read more»
1997 Best Italian Restaurant, Contemporary

Pomodoro

Boston
Pomodoro's flavorful, creative offerings reconcile the old Italian with the new. The food retains a simple, traditional character—which should not read as dull or unimaginative, [...] read more»
1997 Best Italian Restaurant, Traditional

Ristorante Toscano

Boston
When Vinicio Paoli first arrived in Boston in the early '80s, he says it was just like a scene from Big Night: "People would order [...] read more»
1996 Best Italian Restaurant

Mario’s

Hyde Park
This is native son Tommy Menino's favorite neighborhood joint, and he should know, right? By the way, they call it spaghetti, not pasta. read more»
1996 Best Italian Restaurant

Galleria Italiana

Boston
We weren't surprised when chef Barbara Lynch started garnering national attention. If only it weren't so difficult to decide between the lasagna, the veal shank, [...] read more»
1995 Best Italian Restaurant

Ristorante Toscano

Boston
Crosstown rivals in the North End have yet to equal the confident simplicity of veteran chef Venito Paoli's cuisine. Paoli turns out matchless risotti, superb [...] read more»
1987 Best Italian Restaurant, In the North End

Mamma Maria’s Ristorante

Boston
Good-bye red sauce, hello northern Italy. read more»
1987 Best Italian Restaurant, Outside the North End

Ristorante Toscano

Boston
Beacon Hill charm and Italian cucina. read more»
1986 Best Italian Restaurant

Michela’s

Cambridge
New-wave pizzas, pan-blackened shark, goat-cheese lasagna—these dishes are a far cry from the usual linguine with red sauce or stuffed manicotti. And they'll make you [...] read more»
1985 Best Italian Restaurant, North End

Mamma Maria’s

Boston
Zesty cooking, homey atmosphere. read more»