The North End became Boston’s “Little Italy” during the great migration from Italy in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Italians arrived in large numbers and transformed the neighborhood with their cooking, celebrations, and businesses. The cafes, markets, restaurants, corner stores, and more that can be found in the neighborhood today grew from this tradition.
Here are a few ways you can make a trip to Boston’s Little Italy special:
Discover Famous Cultural Landmarks
Boston’s North End is unique because the story of Italian-American immigration sits right beside key sites from the Revolutionary War. Churches in the neighborhood gave immigrant families a place to find community and remain connected to religious societies and popular feast traditions.
North End Churches
- Sacred Heart Church: building purchased by Italian immigrants and became Sacred Heart Church in 1888
- St. Leonard of Port Maurice Church: located on the corner of Hanover and Prince Streets, one of the oldest churches built by Italian immigrants in the US
Key Historical Sites
Sites for important events that unfolded during the Colonial Era can also be found in the North End.
- Paul Revere House: once the residence of Paul Revere, the oldest residential building in Boston still standing
- Old North Church: famous for “one if by land, and two if by sea” which set off Paul Revere’s ride and the Revolutionary War
Visit The Best Italian Restaurants in the Country
The Italian immigrants that first moved in during the late 1800s brought delicious regional cooking with them that can still be tasted in the North End today. The neighborhood is home to some of the best Italian restaurants in the country that almost always have lines out the door. Some of our favorites include Mamma Maria, La Mamiglia Giorgio’s Restaurant, and The Daily Catch. Don’t miss your chance for an awesome meal if you’re ever in the North End.
Take a One-of-a-Kind Trip on a North End Food Tour
Many visitors explore the North End on their own and take the time to visit 1-2 restaurants, walk the Freedom Trail, and walk down a few side streets. Others, however, take a North End Food Tour for a one-of-a-kind experience in Boston’s best neighborhood. Boston’s “Politically Incorrect” North End Food Tour will show you hidden gems, the best local spots, and give you the inside scoop on the neighborhood with a guide who’s seen it all and ready to make you laugh.