Giacomo's Boston North End

We were visiting from California and decided to stop by just to try the food—and we’re so glad we did. As soon as we arrived and sat down, we were welcomed by two singers performing Italian songs, which created such a wonderful and memorable atmosphere. We ordered the meatballs and the burrata salad, and everything was incredibly fresh and delicious. The meatballs with red sauce were especially flavorful and comforting. The service was excellent as well—friendly, attentive, and very knowledgeable staff. We truly loved watching and listening to the singers; it was such a lovely touch that made the experience even more special. The restaurant itself is cozy and comfortable, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy great food and ambiance.

My wife and I had a great dinner experience here. We arrived early (3:45) & sat immediately. By 5pm their were people waiting outside to get in. We had the fried cheese for an app and it was good (perfect for 2 people). I had chicken parm & steak had the shrimp ravioli for entree. You can't go wrong either way on the menu. Cash only for payment.

Giacomo’s in the North End is an absolute must-visit when you’re in Boston. From the moment you step inside, you feel the energy of a classic Italian neighborhood favorite — welcoming, lively, and full of authentic flavor. The pasta dishes are phenomenal — rich, perfectly seasoned, and cooked just right every time. The seafood is fresh and delicious, and the portions are generous, giving you great value for what you get. Every dish feels comforting and made with real care, just like homemade Italian cooking. The vibe is casual and bustling, which adds to the charm, and the staff work hard to make sure you have a great experience even during peak times. It’s no surprise there’s often a line — this place is that good. If you’re looking for great Italian food in Boston with incredible flavor and a true local feel, Giacomo’s is five stars all the way.

My husband and I ordered the Burrata for the appetizer, Lobster ravioli and the shrimp and mussels linguine. They were both really good!! The only thing I would add is that the lobster ravioli was a little salty but I would definitely order it again. Also they ONLY ACCEPT CASH!!!!

Food was great and staff was very attentive. No reservation was needed and we were able to be seated immediately. A bit pricey and it was inconvenient that they were cash only although they do keep an ATM by the door. Restaurant is very small but it's warm and cozy. It was a nice experience overall.

Fantastic dinner spot! We started with the Caprese, and then got the Veal Marsala and Veal Picatta. It was amazing- absolutely delicious, and perfectly cooked! Service was great as well! Go here when you visit the north end!

Small intimate restaurant with good authentic Italian food. We went on a Sunday evening and queued for around 15min to get in. We ordered the fried calamari dish, the aubergine wrapped with cheese and the lobster ravioli. Everything was very tasty and the potion size was very generous. CASH ONLY!

Visiting Boston for the weekend, we had several recommendations for other restaurants but the food pics for Giacamo's sealed the deal for us and it was well worth it. The seafood was fresh and the pasts sauce has exceptional flavor, definitely recommend the Grilled octopus for appetizer and the Fracamo sauce for your linguine, not too spicy. The service was quick and our server was a lovely Italian gentleman.

Small but very cozy Italian-American restaurant in Boston's "Little Italy". The linguine frutti di mare was excellent. Very friendly service. Cash only. There is an ATM in the restaurant if needed.

My wife and I had the pleasure of eating at Giacomo’s recently. The burrata was the best I’ve ever had… truly spectacular! My wife really enjoyed her octopus appetizer. I ordered the chicken parm which I really enjoyed (big portion so be prepared to eat). The sauce was really good. The ambiance was lovely—I felt like I was in Italy. Our waiter Chris was nothing short of amazing. He definitely gives strong Italian vibes which I enjoyed. Genuine guy. We highly recommend!

Amazing portion, taste and fresh pasta! Service was incredible too, my cup was never low or empty. The waitresses were very nice and recommended their special sauce which was fabulous. Will return for sure!

Fresh seafood and delicious sauces! I got the linguine frutti di mare with giacomo sauce and my friend got the linguine mussels and clams with fracomo sauce. Both were fantastic, but the standout seafood had to be the scallops in the frutti di mare. The garlic bread was just okay, it was surprisingly way too garlicky which isn’t a sentence I ever expected to say.

Our group of 11 only waited 25 minutes to get seated for Saturday dinner (sat at 2 tables but next to each other). All staff were friendly, food was PHENOMENAL, & the service was super fast/efficient. It was mesmerizing to watch everyone working there so efficiently and quickly together. Although it was packed and a line out the door, we got our food and were out pretty quickly! One in the group had a seafood allergy, but they were still able to accommodate!

Sitting upstairs was a treat. Parades going by, a perfect sangria and the food was delightful. Cash only, no reservations, but if you are there you must either wait, or have the universe smile on you with the perfect table for lunch.

Had the calamari appetizer and the linguine with calamari, and both were absolutely incredible—some of the best I’ve ever had. Super fresh, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor. The place is small with limited seating, so definitely try to get there early, but it’s 100% worth the wait. Highly recommend!

One of the most popular North End spots with solid food but subpar service. Came here for an early dinner on Saturday. As expected, the line started forming quickly, but we were lucky to wait just 15 minutes. (Heads up: no waitlists, so you'll need to queue up.) We started off with the burrata. It was good, but nothing special. Similar to what you’d find at other North End spots (hard to go wrong with burrata). Mussels & Clams Fra Diavolo was underwhelming. Given its popularity, I expected more, but the sauce was mild and bland — not the punchy, spicy kick you’d hope for in a Fra Diavolo. Thankfully, the Lobster Ravioli lived up to the hype. Even with the garlic cream sauce, the lobster filling still shined. Satisfying bites all around. Service. I’d heard horror stories about the service, and while it wasn’t terrible, it was definitely on the lower end of what I’ve experienced in North End. 20% gratuity wasn’t automatically included on our bill (contrary to what I’d heard), and one server was actually quite nice. Unfortunately, most of the staff seemed rude, and one even physically pushed me while I was waiting for the restroom — no apology, nothing. Since it’s cash-only, the food is slightly more affordable, but overall, it’s still not good enough for me to come back. Not even in my top 5 North End spots. If anything, I’d maybe do a takeout of the ravioli, but that’s about it.