Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

If you’re a foodie who loves pizza, pastries, and espresso martinis, you have to visit Boston’s North End. This area is packed with authentic Italian restaurants, homemade cannolis, and so much more. I went back and forth about whether I should pay for a food tour, but they were all so pricey. Instead, I did my research and created my own self-guided food tour of Boston’s North End. Here’s every place I visited, so you can follow the same route when you visit!

Self-Guided Food Tour of Boston’s North End

I will go over all of the stops first and then provide a map so you can see the route we took. I will also add in some of my favorite dinner spots too!

Stop 1: Pauli’s

Your first stop should definitely be Pauli’s, a local hotspot in Boston’s North End!

They are famous for serving one of the best lobster rolls in New England.

The lobster is incredibly fresh and served in a buttery, toasted roll that brings out all the rich flavors.

Pauli’s was featured on the popular food show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives hosted by Guy Fieri.

So you know it’s going to be a fantastic foodie stop

I had to stop here to see if the hype was real and trust me, it didn’t disappoint!

Want to know more? Read about my entire visit to Pauli’s in Boston!

Stop 2: Polcari’s Coffee

Next, it’s time to get your caffeine fix at Polcari’s Coffee, just a minute’s walk from Pauli’s on Salem Street.

This old-school coffee shop has been around since 1932 and it’s the perfect place to stock up on your coffee needs.

The coffee here is rich and strong, perfect for grabbing a quick pick-me-up on your walking tour of Boston’s north end.

I couldn’t resist, so I bought some coffee beans to take home and enjoyed a bold iced coffee to wash down that delicious lobster roll from Pauli’s.

Stop 3: Modern Pastry

Now it’s time to take the two-minute walk from Polcari’s Coffee to Modern Pastry.

A Boston bakery that’s famous for its mouthwatering Italian pastries.

The line is usually pretty long, but it’s totally worth the wait. When you get to the counter, you’ll want to grab a box of their delicious treats.

We went with the Italian black and white cookie, which is a favorite of mine. As well as a few other goodies.

Modern Pastry Speakeasy

But that’s not all—after you check out, make sure to look for the sign on the wall that says “Bar,” pointing downstairs.

This leads to Modern Pastry’s hidden speakeasy, Modern Pastry Underground, where you’ll find a fun selection of dessert martinis! If you’re not paying attention, you might miss it.

We spent some time here, enjoying our some of the best Italian pastries in Boston while sipping on dessert martinis.

The Pistachio and Cinnamon Toast Crunch Martinis were a treat on their own—sweet and creamy!

Read more about This Boston Speakeasy is Hidden Below A Famous Pastry Shop!

Stop 4: Galleria Umberto

Now that you’ve got a slight buzz from Modern Pastry’s hidden bar, it’s time to soak up the alcohol by visiting Galleria Umberto.

This spot is one of the most popular places to grab a slice in Boston, and it’s easy to see why.

Known for its classic, no-frills pizza, Galleria Umberto specializes in Sicilian-style square slices with a thick, crispy crust and gooey cheese.

We got there right after they opened and had to wait in line for a bit, but were able to grab a table pretty easily about an hour after they opened.

It was definitely worth the wait! We had two slices of their square pizza—loaded with flavor—and a delicious rice ball to fuel our next stop.

Stop 5: Monica’s Trattoria

At this point in our self-guided food tour of Boston’s North End, we were pretty full, so instead of heading to the next foodie stop, we decided to pop into Monica’s Trattoria.

I had to try their “best espresso martini in the North End,” which was boldly advertised on a sign outside.

We snagged a spot at the bar and ordered one to give ourselves a little time to digest.

The espresso martini was fantastic, but as for whether it’s the best? I’ll keep you posted once I try a few more around the area.

I like my espresso martinis bold, and this one leaned more toward the creamy side.

Still, it hit the spot, and I definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a nice digestif to help settle pastries, pizza, and lobster rolll.

Monica’s Trattoria is just a three-minute walk from Galleria Umberto, making it an easy stop on your self-guided food tour.

Stop 6: Mike’s Pastry

Now, it’s time to head back down the street and visit Mike’s Pastry, one of the most famous stops in Boston’s North End.

Mike’s Pastry has been around since 1946 and is known for its mouthwatering cannolis, and trust me, no visit to the North End is complete without one!

You’ll find an array of cannoli options, from the classic ricotta-filled variety to ones with different fillings like pistachio or chocolate. We went for the classic and weren’t disappointed—it was crunchy, creamy, and everything you want in a cannoli.

Just a heads-up—they’re cash-only, so be sure to stop by an ATM before you head over to grab yours.

If you are too full at this point, grab some to go!

If you love dessert, you should also check out some of my Boston Chinatown Food Tour, which has some unique bakeries!

Stop 7: Walk Around North End

After all that food and drink, it’s time to walk it off! One of my favorite things to do in Boston’s North End is just take a stroll and people-watch.

The neighborhood feels so lively. You’ll catch the mouth-watering smells of Italian restaurants getting ready for their dinner rush, and you might even see chefs prepping.

The North End is super charming, with its cobblestone streets and cute little shops. It’s one of my favorite places to hang out in Boston.

It’s the perfect spot to sit on a nearby bench and enjoy that cannoli from Mike’s Pastry while watching the world go by.

Stop 8: Tony & Elaine’s

Now that you had some time to digest, it’s time to get ready for dinner at Tony’s and Elaine’s.

Tony & Elaine’s is my favorite Italian restaurant in Boston!

Whether you’re craving pasta or their award-winning meatballs, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

I’m not lying when I say this is the best Italian food I’ve had in Boston, if not ever.

Their homemade pasta, vodka sauce, and bolognese are just a few reasons to come here.

The cannoli trio blew my mind! Some of the flavors included maraschino cherry, pistachio, and classic chocolate chip.

Even though I was completely full, I couldn’t stop myself from finishing the entire plate.

They were the best cannolis I’ve ever had, right up there with Mike’s Pastry. I paired them with homemade limoncello, and it was the perfect combo!

It’s a true mom-and-pop shop, and the prices are fair, especially for the city.

Reservations are recommended – it’s no secret that this is a spot for both locals and tourists. It fills up fast!

Read my full guide on Tony & Elaine’s! The Best Italian Food in North End!

Stop 9: Parla

At this point, you are probably beyond full, so I recommend ending your Boston North End food tour at Parla. Which is North End’s best cocktail bar.

Whether you’re looking for a nightcap or kicking off your night out, Parla is one of the best spots to grab a drink.

One of their most unique features is that their menus are filled with drawings and notes from visitors and locals who have visited.

We decided to take a chance and ordered the “Dungeon Master“. You roll the dice for a mystery drink, and the server explains it once it’s served.

Our second drink was an espresso martini, which they make as one of “Boston’s Best”. It was very good!

I recommend grabbing a reservation for drinks or even dinner, as they offer some tasty food options too.

We came here after Tony & Elaine’s to end our night in the heart of the North End.

How Long to Spend on a Self-Guided Food Tour?

I would plan for a full day doing a self-guided foodie tour of Boston’s North End.

While the entire walk is only 20 minutes, you will want to plan some space between places.

Not only will this give you time to relax and enjoy the food, but the lines can be out the door, no matter the time of year.

Self-guided Food Tour North End Tips

• Be prepared to wait about half an hour at each location on busy days.
• Make sure to take breaks where you can sit, enjoy a drink, or just savor the food.
• Don’t rush through it— the best part of exploring Boston’s North End is feeling like you’ve been transported to Italy.
• You’ll also pass by a ton of amazing places you might want to stop in on your own, just like how we found some of the spots I mentioned.
• If you are feeling like you hit your wall during your tour, break it into two days!
• Remember getting pastries to go is always a good idea!
• Swap espresso martinis for regular espresso for a nonalcoholic option!

Map of Self-Guided Food Tour of Boston’s North End

We started on the western side of the North End and made our way to the most popular spots, thinking that would be the busiest area.

But honestly, you can do the stops however you want!

Take longer walks if you need breaks between places, or even split it up into two days if you’re planning to visit the North End twice. It’s totally up to you!

Explore More of Boston

I love eating my way through Boston!

I also put together a Boston Chinatown Food Tour: Here is Where to Eat and What to Try!

Want more foodie spots? Make Date Night Special with Mamma Maria in Boston’s North End

Visiting during the Fall? The Best Halloween Cocktails in Boston Are at Shore Leave.

Heading to Maine? Where To Find The Best Lobster Rolls in Maine.

I also put together a The Ultimate Self-Guided Food Tour of Portland, Maine: By A Local!

Read all of my New England Travel Guides!