They are experts at the cappuccino. Order one, and they'll have it on the table within a couple of minutes: hot, frothy, and decoratively doused with cocoa to create a veritable artistic masterpiece. You won't need sugar. As you drink this down, the cocoa runs down the inside of the cup in streaks. Can you resist the urge to forgo any sense of decorum, and lick the inner rim like a child? Heaven on earth for $3.15 per cup.

This is not a fancy place, and as the name suggests, is all about getting together with your buddies and cheering on your soccer team, and not so much the coffee and pastry. Futbol on the big TVs, sit back and relax with your coffee while catching the game. You might end up here when the other bakeries are closed, and the desserts aren't bad. Cash only.

Wait, what? A Chinese restaurant on the North End strip on Hanover Street? Some restaurants might be able to meet the challenge, but the only thing going for this place is that it offers something completely different. Looks exactly like any old Chinese restaurant, and if for some reason you must have your crab rangoon when you're surrounded by award-winning Trattorias, then by all means get it. This place is so tiny that they don't have tables, takeout or delivery only. You will find all of your Chinese classics here - General Gau's Chicken, Peking Raviaoli, Curry, Egg Foo Young, Mu Shi, Szechuan, etc. Most items are between $5 and $10. Lunch specials and combination plates available.

“Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.” This world The wonderful art of Italian pastry is practiced to perfection at Mike's, a requisite stop for anyone after dinner, or perhaps for dinner, in the North End. Mike's is world famous for their famous sweet creations and ships all over the country. What are you in the mood for? Whether you're hankering for cannolis, cookies, or cakes, this is the place to get 'em. Most pastries $1-4. Biscotti $6-10/lb.

Very unusual little Italian restaurant, although not owned by Italians. It's about the size of a big bedroom with an open kitchen right there, and usually just one server for the whole restaurant. This is a very simple place - they don't carry a wine list but serve the wine of the house, and you choose either red or white. You feel like you're sitting in someone's house, so homey and not formal at all. Some of the peculiarities are that soft drinks are not served, and the restroom is at Caffe Vittoria across the street so you have to pretend that you're a paying customer over there. But all this ends up giving the place character because the food rocks. Cash only. Bonus: the water is infused with mint and citrus.

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 (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 at 259-261 Northern Ave. in Boston and 4441A Harvard St. in Brookline. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Beautiful North End store, part of the Il Panino group.

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