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.

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.

Owner Frank DePasquale describes Bricco as a "boutique" Italian restaurant offering modern interpretations of regional Italian dishes. The menu features items such as zucchini flowers stuffed with truffled ricotta cheese, Big Night Timpano (drum-shaped stuffed pasta w/ meatballs & a slow, braised meat ragu), stuffed lobster, as well as a five-course chef tasting & wine flight. Bricco's chefs use locally grown fruits and vegetables, domestic & organic meats & specially selected seafood. Bricco has garnered many awards such as TV Diner's "Platinum Plate", one of Esquire Magazine's "Top Ten Restaurants in America", and "Best Guaranteed Great Meal in the North End," from The Improper Bostonian Magazine.

If you have friends or family visiting from out of town, this is the place to go if you want to show them what the North End is all about. It's also the kind of place to go on a first date, low lit and not pretentious. The Italian music adds to the ambience. When you walk in, there are a bunch of old fashioned photos, and the whole atmosphere is very mellow and welcoming - not trendy at all. They pamper you a bit, chat, and make you feel like part of the family the moment you enter. A popular dish that you might want to try: arancini.

This place has absolutely pristine oysters that you order individually off of something similar to a sushi menu. Kumamoto, Wellfleet, Bee's River...so many varieties of oyster to choose from, not to mention clams, crab claws and shrimp. Their lobster roll (the hot one, not the one with mayo which is served cold) is overflowing with the meat of 2 chick lobsters and drizzled with butter on brioche, served with Belgian twice-fried fries. Somewhat non-traditional but extremely delicious. The clam chowder is first rate, and every bowl is cooked to order. This North End hotspot has a great selection of champagnes and wines by the bottle and glass.

3 floors of distinct dining rooms and the North End's ONLY seasonal patio and rooftop dining. You'd think that the rooftop might offer you a panoramic view of the North End, but that's not the case. While it is open air, there's a sort of garden wall that runs up high on all sides and pens in a friendly bunch of people who love to chat, drink and smoke. In the summertime the patio is a total meat market, which is perfect if you are loaded with enough cash and the desire to get your buns gooched (girls) and your egos bruised (guys). Don't go if you're the least bit prissy or fussy. This is more like an amusement park than a restaurant, and an experience that you should enjoy at least once in your life.

It's in a historic home, and is one of the most tastefully-decorated restaurants (beiges, taupes, gilded mirrors) and the prices definitely complement the high-end decor. Hotel carpeting, random museum-like accents. The cobblestone streets outside really make you believe that you are in a past century. The large windows in the restaurant enable great views from the 2 story restaurant. I heard there is an elusive "Table 99" somewhere in the restaurant that you need to book reservations for weeks/months (?) in advance which apparently has its own little nook room at the end of a hallway. Steve Martin has been spotted here during filming of the Pink Panther.