Giacomo's Restaurant

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355 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113-1910 (at Off Fleet St, The North End)
Boston, MA 02113

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(617) 523-9026
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Reviews
( 20 )
( 11 )
( 4 )
( 2 )
( 2 )

Best

We first came August of 2007 -recommended by one of my co-workers. My husband and I loved it! The food, especially the seafood, is fresh and mouth watering. We came to Plymouth...

Worst

Went on a date here, not the best place to go for a date but thats ok. It smelled amazing inside but the food didn't match the smell. The calamari was chewy=overcooked. My ceasar ...

Great Italian food. 1/18/2007

Small place, seating is crampted but it is all worth it. This is definitely not a place to propose or have a long conversation with someone as lines do form outside regardless of the weather and the service is kind of a rush. The Inventor Turnover has to be the most desired by anyone. Great flavor on the fired cal's and would recommend their homemade pasta. more
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Best Italian Restaurant in North End 1/7/2007

I am visiting Boston and it was my first time in the North End. I did my reserach online first including going to citySearch to find the right place to eat. So many choices, couldn't decide. So me and a friend walked up and down the streets of the North End poking our head in every Italian Restaurant we saw, including all the ones reviewed on here, I'm telling you guy, this place rocks!!! The food is ridiculously good, the service was great and I loved it. GO! you'll love it.\r Daniel from California more
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Great food - but get there early! 11/12/2006

I live right near Giacomo's, so I see the line down the street every night of the week. I happened to pass by around 5 on a weekday once, and since there was no line, we decided to check out what all of the buzz was about. The food was outstanding, the only drawback of the place being the VERY cramped quarters and the rush to get you in and out. A romantic dinner place this is not, but if you're looking for great Italian food in a hurry, this is your place. Just be sure to get there early before the line forms! Pros: the food Cons: rushed service, cramped quarters more
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Great spot in the North End 11/8/2006

As a local to the North End neighborhood this place never steers people wrong. Though the turnover is quick and the line tends to become long, it's always worth the wait. The food is inexpensive and delicious. I had a dish which included all kinds of seafood including a lobster claw all for about $17. One of the best finds in the North End! Pros: Great food for a good price Cons: cash only, smally interior more
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Great food, Good Prices, Long Wait 10/17/2006

First, there's always a big line to get in. I went early Friday night and waited outside for half an hour.... more
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Great food, Good Prices, Long Wait 10/17/2006

Mike Provided by Partner
First, there's always a big line to get in. I went early Friday night and waited outside for half an hour. I've heard it can go way past that. Onc... more
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Great Italian, Great Value! 10/11/2006

I read all the reviews on here and had to check it out for myself, and im happy to say it measured up!! The waiter was great, explained everything to us (their homemade sauces and pasta) and was great for suggestions. We loved the calamari as an appetizer, and all four of us loved our meals, and the whole bill came to less than $100 including a bottle of wine! Really small and can feel kind of crammed (seats about 35), but we liked being able to see the kitchen and the whole italian family feel. We got there right at 5 on a Wednesday and got the last table, and there was definitely a lined formed outside shortly after. DEFINITELY RECOMMEND Pros: great prices for north end, butternut squash ravioli! Cons: small place more
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Great food! Good times! 8/13/2006

The long wait in line for this gem called Giacomo's is well worth it! The servers' recommendations are always right on and the food is always piping hot, fresh, and perfect! I ate there often when I lived in Cambridge and eat theer every time I visit. Greatest italian food in the North End! Pros: food, wine, service Cons: waiting in line more
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Best Italian Food Anywhere 7/20/2006

My partner and I were lucky enough to get a recommendation for this restaurant and decided to try it out on our recent trip to Boston. All I can say is wow. There are a few gotcha's tho...be at the place before five when they open as there is a line that forms about 4:30 or 4:45 and if you're not in the first few parties, you'll have to wait for a table to open up since this place is tiny...think NY style tiny. The wait staff isn't super friendly or really helpful, but what they lack in manners, they more than make up for in the food. Whatever you do, have the fried calamari, one of their signature dishes. I had the lobster ravioli and it was excellent. My partner had a fresh fish special with pasta, clams, mussels, and half a lobster. Add in a salad and drinks and our whole bill, with tax and tip came out right at $65. Not bad for a great dinig experience. Pros: Best Italian food around, Great calamari Cons: Small seating area, Long lines more
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Don't Go Without Me 9/9/2005

Giacomos is great! I love the informal ambiance, the prices can't be beat, and the servers are hysterical. This is the best place in the North End for a fuss-free Italian dinner. Always be nice to other patrons you wait with b/c you might end up sitting with them, and whatever you do don't cut the line. Pros: Food , Price, Service Cons: Waiting more
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Found it by mistake - YIPPIE!!! 6/23/2005

Tony was my enthusiastic waiter who served me the best pesto, lobster, mussel, clam dish I've ever had. Their pesto is even better than my own. A single traveler, I didn't feel rushed or unwelcomed. The vino was very good, service excellent, and weeks later, my mouth is still watering remembering how delicious the meal was. As someone who lived in Florence for 6 months, I do know great Italian food. Giacomo's is FABULOUS! Pros: Pesto, service, food Cons: cash only more
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So disappointed... 6/2/2005

I have always known Giacomo's to be a great restaurant. But last night I had a disappointing experience when I took my family from NH there for an early dinner. We were bullied into ordering the moment we sat down. Our waiter was very rude - not in a congenial, gruff Italian way - but genuinely unfriendly. The menu was not explained, our meal was rushed, and when my mother-in-law and sister's fish dishes arrived, they were still raw. The food overall was mediocre. I will never go back. They have become a tourist trap - aiming to seat as many people in an evening as possible. Their focus on excellent food and a pleasant dining experience is gone. If you want a nice Northend Italian meal where you can genuinely relax and enjoy your food, friends and the atmosphere - dont' go to Giacomos. Pros: Good location Cons: Rushed, Crowded, Unpleasant Servers more
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Stunning 5/25/2005

This is possibly the best food I've had in Boston. Started with the fried calamari, which was absolutely perfect. The pumpkin tortellini was just perfect. The two people I was with tried two of the specials and each was perfect. The wine was perfect. I've heard the wait can be very long, so I'd recommend going either right away when it opens at 5:00 or wait until after 8:30. It's a very bustling place with small tables packed closely together, so if you're looking for a more private, personal atmosphere, Giacomo is probably a bad idea. But if you're looking for some of the best food in the city, do not miss it. Pros: Everything Cons: No dessert more
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User review by cerasuj 4/28/2005

Read other reviews and had to try them. Violated rule 3 by having a party of 7. Not a problem. Staff got us seated after a short wait,(Rainy Wed. eve). They found my Grandmothers old huge bowl and filled it with lobster,shrimp, and fusili fra diavlo. It was fantastic. If you're hungry leaving here,somethings wrong. Great Calamari for starters. Wine list reasonable prices. Great place. Worth the wait. Pros: quality of food, quantity of food , good people Cons: had to go to Boston more
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Best butternut squash ravioli in the world. 3/3/2005

The atmosphere is energetic. The food is outstanding. The one drawback is that you have to stand in line outside on Hanover Street but even that can be fun. You can meet some interesting people! Pros: excellent food, energetic atmosphere, fast service once ins Cons: no reservations more
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Don't miss it! 4/8/2004

I manage, one way or another, to hit the place every time I'm in Boston. The waits can be long, but the food is well worth it. If you're going alone, you can sneak in front of people at eat at one of the two seats they have at the bar. It is a very small place! I've managed my way through the entire menu and can't not recommend anything I've eaten. I particularly like the Fra Diavlo sauce and the Giacomo sauce on virtually anything. Don't miss the calamari or the garlic bread and don't forget to bring cash, they don't accept anything else. If you want to relax after dinner, there is a great cigar bar across the street! Make sure that you tell Rose Marie that Steve from Houston said hello! Mangi bene e goda Pros: Outrageous Portions, Awesome Food, Friendly Staff Cons: , Cash Only, Sometimes Hurried more
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Excellent food and fresh pasta 3/2/2004

The editor's review above is dead-on. Excellent food and service that's worth the wait, but first-timers may find the rushed and cramped atmosphere a little grating. However, for me it is now part of the draw to this great restaurant. Do not go in groups larger than 4 or 6 if you do not want to wait long. Really like the calimari for an app. The freshly made tortollini and ravioli are excellent but filling. Pesto fettucini with tuna delicious. Have some wine, a good meal...then seek out a cafe if you want to continue the evening. Pros: Great food, Great service Cons: , No afternoon hours, Cramped more
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Great Food, So SO Atmosphere! 6/2/2003

Food is very basic Italian. It's a no thrills type of menu but the food is fantastic! Atmosphere tends to get a bit loud and can be cramped and crowded. Best for meeting friends, etc, not if you are looking for a romantic date. But I will still have to say it's a great place. Good food for good prices! Pros: Food Taste, Food Quality, Portions Cons: Crowded, Cramped, Long wait outside more
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Menu for Giacomo's Restaurant


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    Giacomo's popularity, coupled with a strict no-reservations policy, means that on most nights (regardless of the weather) a line will spill out the door and onto bustling...

  • 8/1/2008 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday 09:00 AM - 10:00 PM Tuesday 09:00 AM - 10:00 PM Wednesday 09:00 AM - 10:00 PM Thursday 09:00 AM - 10:00 PM Friday 09:00 AM - 10:00 PM Saturday 09:00 AM - 10:00 PM Sunday 09:00 AM - 10:00 PM
  • Payments: Cash
  • Neighborhoods: North End, Central
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