The popular feasts are a consistent pleasure at chef and owner Jen Royle’s Table restaurant, offering a unique experience to dine family-style with strangers (just do remember to not cancel your reservation last-minute to avoid a fee). Now for meals on-the-fly, Table just unveiled a new walk-in menu of the restaurant’s favorite plates like chicken Milanese and eggplant parm. If you happen to breeze by the restaurant, it’s a chance to sneak in for the frequently sold-out service.

With Godfather-like origins, Lucia’s allegedly secured its place in the North End’s culinary scene in 1977 with the blessing of the neighborhood’s former “capo.” Since its inception, the restaurant has been specializing in the cuisine of the Abruzzo region in Italy. Adding to its lore, a sign proudly displayed at the entrance attests that even Tom Brady — in his rookie days with the Patriots — used to frequent the establishment to pick up mouthwatering meals for the team.

A tried and true North End hot spot, Regina has been dishing out some of the city’s best pizzas for almost a century. Original owner Luigi D’Auria brought the flavors of Naples to Boston when he opened Regina in 1926. (D’Auria eventually sold Regina to the Polcari family in 1946.) Regina’s pizzas are still baked in the same oven used all those years ago, initially coal-fired and later switched to gas in the 1930s, and is renowned for the charred crust and dough that undergoes fermentation for up to six days. There are multiple locations around greater Boston, but the best way to experience Regina is sitting at its booths (or its bar) in the North End.

“It’s like being at Nonna’s” is printed on the menus at La Famiglia Giorgio’s. What sets the Roman-inspired restaurant apart is the quality of its fresh pasta. Everything is good here, but “Little Al’s favorite,” which consists of chicken cutlet, broccoli, and gnocchi tossed in a pink vodka sauce, is compulsory. Classics like chicken and eggplant parmesan are among the best versions in the city. Fair warning on the portion sizes — they are huge. La Famiglia Giorgio’s wine list is huge, too, with more than 400 bottles to choose from. A note on accessibility: The entrance has two steps.

The name says it all. There’s good pasta, and there’s good seafood, and then there’s the Daily Catch. The Daily Catch was originally opened by North End local Paul Freddura, who initially named this hole in the wall on Hanover Street the Calamari Café (apt, given that its calamari is perhaps the best in the city). Squid still plays a big part at the Daily Catch, especially in the dishes served with squid ink pasta. The black linguine carries with it the slightly briny, umami taste of the sea and goes great with aglio olio. For more than 45 years, the seafood at the Daily Catch has been sourced locally from fishmongers at the Boston Fish Pier, which is less than a mile away. There’s also a location on Boston’s waterfront and another in Brookline. Heads up that the original North End spot is walk-ins only.

Where classic red-sauce dining meets Boston’s historic old charm, Mamma Maria defines what good food in Boston should look like. Overlooking the cobblestones of Boston’s oldest city square on North Street, Mamma Maria’s gorgeous storefront reels you in, and the food will surely make you stay. As is done in Italy, expect an ever-changing menu — Mamma Maria focuses on seasonality, taking the best from what the local markets have available, like pumpkin for their pumpkin gnocchi with sea scallops. The bar is not to be missed, featuring artisanal cocktails with local liqueurs, including Boston’s own Black Infusions Vodka.

Ever since it opened in early 2023, Sunny Girl has been brightening the mornings of just about everyone who stops by for a breakfast pick-me-up. The warm, fluffy, housemade English muffins are unforgettable, and each sandwich boasts flavorful ingredient combinations. For first-time visitors, start with the local favorite that ties in traditional North End flavor: the “Truffle Shuffle,” with an overeasy egg, truffle pecorino, burrata, pancetta, tomato conserva, and basil gremolata.

Carmelina’s has massive windows that open directly to Hanover Street and a beautiful open kitchen where diners can watch their dishes being prepared right before their eyes. The “Sunday macaroni” is served every day and comes with meatballs, sausage, and beef rib in a tomato sauce, finished with a dollop of whipped ricotta. It is the star of the show at Carmelina’s, which aims to serve “traditional Sicilian comfort food with a Mediterranean twist.”

A newcomer at the beating heart of Hanover Street, the swanky yet snug Italian steakhouse Umbria brings central Italy’s rustic charm to Boston. Featuring the North End’s only rooftop lounge with views into downtown, Umbria has quickly become a classic neighborhood destination since its summertime debut, drawing both Bostonians who want in on the hype and intrigued tourists alike. 

Tucked away on the lesser-frequented North Street parallel to the notorious Hanover, Limoncello has quietly sprung onto the North End’s food scene as a must-eat destination perfect for date nights, family get-togethers, or the solo eater who finds solace in the company of a good meal. Limoncello excels at setting the ambiance of how Italians really eat: Start with some wine, their hyper-local Calabrian-style antipasto, then move onto the main attraction of “Rosette Al Montasio,” homemade pappardelle arranged like roses, cooked with prosciutto, cheese, tomato, and truffle. Of course, it all ends with a shot of homemade limoncello.

Modern is hard to miss, with its neon sign and brightly lit windows showing off cannoli, cakes, and other sweet treats. The cannoli at Modern are piped with ricotta filling fresh to order (a key factor that sets it apart from its touristy neighbor). Modern is also home to the city’s best lobster tail, which is a bigger take on sfogliatelle, perhaps the most famous dessert from Naples. Pair your baked goods with a cappuccino, and take some tiramisu and/or amaretto cake for the road. There’s a location in Medford, too.

The small plates at Aqua Pazza — “crazy water” in Italian — bring eclectic Mediterranean flavors to North Square’s developing food scene, which is removed from the Hanover Street buzz. The atmosphere exudes a playful and innovative vibe, channeling Italy’s lively aperitivo culture. Sample Positano-style octopus, cacio e pepe arancini, and a tantalizing raw bar showcasing Boston’s seafood bounty.