Genuine Italian fare, family owned, and at a price that even the BU kids can afford. This Allston gem brings the masses coming back for more and more. Menu ranges from pizza and calzones to pasta dishes, soups and salads. It's a one man show, mainly suited to take out but with a whopping 9 seats available. Should you get one, Alfredo himself cooks up the food. Order some of his own hand made mozzarella!

Carlo's is an Allston secret. Hefty portions, great cooking, and reasonable prices keep this little outfit packed at lunch and dinner almost every day of the week. Try the egg soup with chicken broth and egg noodles ($5) for a taste of some inspired home cooking. Traditional meat dishes are sizable and always well-cooked. The costate di maiale (pork chops and potatoes in vinegar and peppers; $16) is tender and flavorful and so generous that you'll be having it for breakfast the next day. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

A cozy enoteca located off of North Square in the North End. It has been called intimate, romantic, and praised for delicious and authentic Italian dishes. Carmen is small at only 9 tables, but has a small bar for a quick drink or bite.

A North End gem for casual take out and dine in. Off the beaten track and tucked away from the craziness of Hanover and Salem Street, Hot Tomatoes is known to North Enders for giving good food fast.

A lively family-owned restaurant in the North End, L'Osteria serves Italian favorites cheaper than most of its neighbors, and indeed, the lower prices may be its only claim to fame. The unspectacular but varied fare features a wide selection of veal, chicken, and seafood. The juicy veal piemontese, stuffed with prosciutto and mozzarella, is quite tasty, though the bowl of accompanying pasta bears close resemblance to dining hall options. Dessert ($6) options limited to tiramisu and amaretto cake. Entrees $13-$17. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Maurizio's, top rated in the Zagat Guide and three time winner of Boston Magazine's Best of Boston Award, has been part of the North End dining experience for over twelve years. Chef Maurizio Loddo hails from the Italian Island of Sardinia and brings a wealth of additional cooking experience from France, Germany and Spain. Wines from Maurizio's exciting list are selected to compliment the food. You will find exceptional and affordable picks from all over the globe.

Tutto Italiano is a thriving Salumeria situated in Boston's Historic North End. There are three shopping aspects to our store: freshly cooked foods, deli meats and cheeses, and dry grocery goods from Italy. Tutto Italiano is noted for the fresh mozzarelle Joe makes daily as well as a changing array of baked pasta dishes, fresh sausage, paninni and other ready to take away delicacies. Additional locations in Hyde Park, Wellesley, Hingham, Lexington, and Lakeville, MA.

This family run old world style Italian deli is the best of its kind in the Boston area. They make some of the best sandwiches available anywhere, and stock a range of the highest quality Italian meats and cheeses in addition to their homemade delicacies like meatballs and chicken Parmesan. They have delicious fresh bread, which really makes a big difference in their sandwiches. They also stock a range of prepared frozen pasta dishes and other dishes, in addition to dried pastas, olives, imported anchovies, and a host of Italian wines.

The Daily Catch is exactly what you'd expect from a North End seafood restaurant—a tiny, low-key eatery with ultra-fresh fish. Seafood-lovers will go crazy indulging in delectable sicilian-style seafood and pasta, but non-fish-eaters beware: fish-free options are rare. For the adventurous, try one of the several black pasta entrees, dyed with squid ink which imparts a great taste (appetizer $8.75, dinner portion $15.75), or stick to a more basic, but equally delicious, mussels, fish, or calamari dish, among others (entrees $16-20). Other locations:Northern Avenue in Boston and Harvard Street in Brookline. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

The recent addition of Rocca to the growing list of top-tier restaurants in the SOWA region of the South End was highly lauded when it opened in Spring 2007. Italian food inspired by the Riviera, this hotspot is not only a fabulous meal with a creative twist, but it also boasts a great bar scene. Rocca's menu is mid-range prices with a fairly expensive wine list. The best way to describe Rocca? Italian-style tapas. Rocca specializes in small portions and a collection of Italian-style tastes like fresh raviolis, gnocchi and the artichoke "taste" dish. There's a rustic water wheel sculpture made out of metal for outdoor diners which punctuates the restaurant's already stunning red-and-silver ambience. Also, Rocca boasts ample free parking which is a definite plus for Boston-area foodies. Check out Rocca's blog HERE.