north end tours boston ma

North End Boston Food Tour: Little Italy of Boston’s Authentic Experience

Experience Little Italy of Boston with a LIFELONG LOCAL. No passport required.

Experience North End, Boston

The North End Boston Food Tour provides an authentic Boston, MA tour experience through the quaint Italian neighborhood. This leisurely-paced walking tour is a great way to immerse yourself in the history and culture of North End, Boston. Our tour combines the history and culture with the best food and wine that the neighborhood has to offer. You can experience the area with the guidance of a lifelong resident, Bobby Agrippino. This unique tour will take you off the beaten path and through the staple restaurants and shops that are the cornerstone of North End. All your senses will be sharpened by the aromas, tastes, and views of the neighborhood.

What You’ll See

As we travel the neighborhood, you will walk along the cobblestone streets from 1630. You will see the Paul Revere house and the statue of Paul Revere. You will be able to experience the St. Stephens church where Rose Kennedy was baptized and said goodbye to. You will also see the Old North Church and Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, the second-oldest cemetery in Boston. Since the tour is guided by a lifelong local, you will experience the hidden gems of the neighborhood and learn about the organized crime events that only someone who has lived here all their life can show you. You will eat at the best bakeries, delis, and restaurants while drinking phenomenal wines.

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Schedule a Tour With Us Today

Today, you can have the experience of your lifetime by going on a Boston, MA tour. North End has a strong Italian history and culture that you don’t want to miss out on. You can experience Little Italy of Boston without the hassle of traveling out of the United States. Our authentic tours at North End Boston Food Tour are immersive and well-rounded. With a lifelong resident of North End as your tour guide, you will learn about all the small details that otherwise would be overlooked. You won’t want to miss out on this. Call us today to schedule a tour of North End, Boston.

North End Boston Food Tour

Meeting Location At the Tony DeMarco Statue, 191 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

Business Address 357 Commercial St, Boston, MA 02109

Phone 617-719-9542

Hours of Operation Monday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

191 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113, USA

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A walking tour of Boston’s North End: What to see, do and eat in Little Italy

I headed to the North End (pronounced "Nah-th End") in search of the apartment building where my paternal grandmother — whom I never met — was born in 1902. Even though I was on the hunt for my own family history, it's impossible to avoid learning about the Italian American immigrant experience when in this Boston neighborhood.

My grandmother died long before I was born, and I'm now the age she was when she passed away. I never knew her, but we always had a connection.

Growing up, I lived with my parents and siblings in a three-family home with my grandfather and uncles. We shared an incredible basement with a root cellar and an extra kitchen (where we made gallons of red sauce from homegrown tomatoes). One afternoon when I was about 7, I noticed an old pedal-powered sewing machine in a dark corner of the basement. Struck with inspiration, I spent the next few evenings after school in that basement sewing myself a pretty sundress with fabric I found in the sewing machine cabinet.

When my dress was finished, I skipped upstairs to my grandfather's kitchen to show him my handiwork. Instead of the effusive praise I expected, he was strangely quiet. He asked how I knew how to use the sewing machine and who showed me the pattern. I told him I saw the pattern in my head and somehow just knew how to wind the bobbin and thread the machine.

That's when he smiled and told me that his wife, the nana I never met, was a talented seamstress. I'd used her sewing machine. Somehow across time and space, she passed the talent to me.

Since then, I've felt a connection to her even without knowing very much about her life. After doing some genealogical research, I found her baptismal record that listed the address where she was born, along with a 1920 U.S. census that listed her address right before she married my papa. So, I decided to go to the North End in search of the place where her parents settled in 1896 after emigrating from Italy's Sant'Elia Fiumerapido.

I took a leisurely walking tour that you can recreate the next time you're in Beantown. Here's everything you need to know for a successful tour that includes Paul Revere's house, Sicilian pizza and cannolis.

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Things to know before you go

Before you head to the North End, it's a good idea to know the lay of the land.

The North End is the oval-shaped piece of land jutting out from Boston proper bound by Route 93 and the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park — near the Boston Marriott Long Wharf — anchors this part of town to the south while Boston's Inner Harbor is the natural boundary in the north and west.

East Boston and Logan International Airport (BOS) are across the water from the North End, and that is where you'll find all the wharves. (The other side of my family settled in East Boston when they arrived here from Calabria.) You can easily travel between East Boston and the North End via the Sumner and Callahan tunnels.

Start your tour at Haymarket or North Station

The North End is very walkable, but it's a nightmare to park a car there. Your best bet is to park elsewhere and take the MBTA Green Line subway to the Haymarket stop. One-way rides are $2.40 and ticket machines are at each station.

If you're driving, park at Haymarket Garage (also known as Parcel 7) at 136 Blackstone Street (use the Waze app to locate the garage because it's not so easy to find). Some North End establishments, such as Mike's Pastry, Regina Pizzeria and some of the stall vendors at Boston Public Market, validate parking tickets for this garage, and you'll only pay $3 for three hours. Just don't go over your time or you'll end up paying full price.

Start your tour of the North End at Haymarket and walk counterclockwise around the neighborhood.

Note: If you prefer to arrive via the train or subway at North Station (or if you park at the North End Garage at 600 Commerical Street), you can do this tour in reverse. Start at North Station, walk east on Causeway Street until it turns into Commercial Street and begin sightseeing at Copps Hill Burying Ground and visit the points of interest in a clockwise fashion.

But, I started my tour from the Haymarket subway stop.

Hanover Street

Hanover Street is the North End's "main drag." It's where you'll find a lot of the neighborhood's oldest or most popular sites, shops and restaurants. As you leave the Haymarket Garage, exit on Sudbury Street, take a right on John F. Fitzgerald Surface Road and then a left onto Hanover Street. You'll pass through the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and as you exit that park, you're officially entering the North End: Boston's Little Italy.

My visit to the North End was part of a heritage tour to discover more about my ancestors. You may be tracing your Italian heritage when you're in the area, too. But there's so much more to the North End. Several important Freedom Trail sites are located within the bounds of the North End, so I'll point those out too.

If possible, set aside enough time to discover the entire 2.5-mile Freedom Trail, which is dotted with 16 historical sites that are significant to the history of the United States.

Now, let's talk money. The trend toward contactless payments has not reached many of the old-timey shops in the North End. Some bakeries and pizza places, in particular, only take cash. Be sure to visit an ATM before heading to the neighborhood. There's a cash machine at 218 Hanover Street and another across the street from Modern Pastry (at the start of your tour) in the Bank of America Financial Center at 260 Hanover Street.

Stop 1: New England Holocaust Memorial and the Tony DeMarco statue

As you exit the Haymarket subway stop, take an immediate right on Sudbury Street and then a right on Congress. You'll walk against traffic for one block. At the corner of Congress and Hanover Street, you'll find the New England Holocaust Memorial. It's not right at the gateway of the North End, but it would be a shame not to stop here before your tour and reflect.

Turn left onto Hanover Street and walk a block over the John F. Fitzgerald Expressway and the bronze Tony DeMarco statue is straight ahead at 191 Hanover Street (where it meets Cross Street). Born as Leonardo Liotta in 1932 to Sicilian immigrants, Tony grew up in the North End and became a celebrated boxer and World Welterweight Champion.

Fun fact: My grandfather on my mother's side came from Calabria. He was an amateur boxer whose fights were often featured in the Boston newspapers of the day, so seeing the Tony DeMarco statue held personal significance.

Stop 2: Grab a bite on Hanover Street

If you're beginning your tour at breakfast or lunchtime, grab a quick bite before launching into your tour.

Bricco Panetteria and Salumeria & Pasta Shop

It's easy to miss these two gems. Both are down a narrow alley next to the affiliated Bricco restaurant at 241 Hanover Street. For the panetteria, a walk down a steep flight of stairs is rewarded with the aroma of freshly baked Italian bread and pastries.

At street level, you'll find Bricco Salumeria & Pasta Shop at 11 Board Alley. You can order sandwiches that are out of this world (I like the porchetta/roast pork sandwich or the eggplant Parmigiano) or pick up provisions (cheese, olives, cured meats, pasta) for later.

These two spots are where North Enders pick up their bread, pastries and sandwiches. Don't miss it!

Modern Pastry

If it's breakfast time when you pass Modern Pastry (263 Hanover Street), drop into this family-owned and -operated shop. It's been here since 1931, which is an impressive run, but there are bakeries that have been in the neighborhood even longer. We'll mention those later.

The "must-buys" at Modern Pastry include sfogliatelle (a flaky pastry filled with ricotta ), ricotta pie, cannoli and pizzelles (cookies that look like very thin waffles). This shop is also known for its French-style macarons, but I'm especially fond of their Italian-style pistachio macaroons and pignoli (pine nut) cookies. The line can go out the door, but it moves quickly.

Galleria Umberto Rosticceria

If you're passing by closer to lunch or have a craving for something more savory, try the Sicilian pizza, panzarotti (similar to a calzone but fried) and arancini (rice balls) at Galleria Umberto Rosticceria at 289 Hanover Street. This casual eatery was established in 1974, and it only takes cash. I walked by at 10:40 a.m., and there was already a healthy line forming.

Mike's Pastry

Mike's Pastry is about a block beyond Modern Pastry and on the other side of the street at 300 Hanover Street. You may be familiar with Mike's because the outlet sells delectables via the mail-order site Goldbelly. But, you can stock up on Italian treats for your hotel room when you stop by in person. My favorite thing to order here is the cucidati (fig) cookies.

Neptune Oyster

Since you're in Boston, there's a good chance you're hoping to enjoy a lobster roll while you're in town — and you can do that right in the North End. In fact, one of the best lobster rolls in the city can be found right here at Neptune Oyster (63 Salem Street). While they serve a cold version with mayonnaise, you should order it hot with butter. Both are served on toasted brioche buns. You can't make a reservation here, so it's best to arrive before or after mealtimes to avoid the rush.

Pro tip: If you're looking for a lobster roll outside the North End, I'm partial to the hot one served by Saltie Girl (281 Dartmouth Street, around the corner from Newbury Street). The cold version is also good. Both are served with Saltie Girl Sea Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips.

Stop 3: North Square

As you brush those pastry or pizza crumbs from your shirt, take a slight detour off Hanover Street by hanging a right on Prince Street and then another right onto North Street, where you'll enter the North Square plaza. Bostonians will tell you that North Square is America's oldest public square, and it's been a meeting place since 1649.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

This is one of the places I had been most anxious to visit in the North End. Sacred Heart at 12 North Square was the first Catholic Church in Boston, and it's where my grandmother was baptized in 1902 and where she married my papa in 1924. The building is closed right now due to COVID-19, but I reached out to the Archdiocese of Boston before my trip, and the archival team helped me find my grandmother's baptismal record.

What I find so interesting about this church is that its history goes beyond its Catholic roots. It was built in 1833 as a place where sailors could worship. (Remember, the Inner Harbor is just a few blocks away.) Lore has it that the sailor-preacher of the church, Father Taylor, was Herman Melville's inspiration for Father Mapple in "Moby Dick."

In 1884, the building was purchased by a community of Italian immigrants, and by 1888, the church was named Sacred Heart. When my great-grandfather Antonio arrived in Boston in 1896, he made this parish his family's religious home.

While the building is closed right now, the upper nave has a beautiful frescoed ceiling supported by marble columns. The downstairs chapel includes shrines to St. Anthony, St. Lucy, St. Therese, St. Jude and others. The church is now part of Saint Leonard of Port Maurice parish.

See where Paul Revere lived

Walk through the square and head to the corner, 19 North Square, to visit the Paul Revere House. It's one of the most famous sites on Boston's Freedom Trail.

Right now, this historic home is only open Wednesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For some, walking past the home may be enough. However, if you want to go inside, it costs $6 for adults, $5.50 for seniors and college students and $1 for kids 5-17.

The Pierce/Hichborn House at 29 North Square is managed by the same organization, but it is currently closed until further notice.

Dine at Mamma Maria right on the square

There are many incredible authentic Italian restaurants in the North End, plus plenty of spots that are aimed toward tourists. Mamma Maria (3 North Square) is an institution. You can sit in one of the various rooms in the townhouse or right out on the square, and the atmosphere here is magical. Think fairy lights accenting the night sky.

Reservations are a must — especially if you want to dine outside. Be sure to note your preference when making your reservation on OpenTable. We dined here on our first night in Boston. Our table had a perfect view of Sacred Heart, and it was so special spending time in a place that was special to my grandparents.

Stop 4: St. Stephen's Catholic Church

Once you've investigated North Square, retrace your steps along Prince Street and take a right back onto Hanover Street, where you'll find St. Stephen's Catholic Church (401 Hanover Street). Even if you don't go inside, check out the exterior gardens and statues. It's a very peaceful spot.

Stop 5: Paul Revere Mall and statue

You'll find the Paul Revere Mall and statue off Hanover Street between Tilestone and Charter streets. This is a good spot for photo-taking and resting a bit in the shade. There are plaques on the walls that hem in the mall. Each discusses important former North End residents and their achievements. The mall eventually leads to the Old North Church.

Stop 6: Old North Church

Every American schoolchild learns that Paul Revere launched his famous ride in 1775 from Old North Church (193 Salem Street). You can view the Christ Church, which was established in 1723, for free from the outside. If you want a tour inside, it will cost $5 per person (kids under 6 are free).

As you walk from Old North Church to your next stop, you'll need to put a bit of oomph in your step to make it up the hill. It's not too intense of a climb, but it's something to keep in mind if you're touring with someone that has a mobility issue. Just take it slow and steady — especially if it's a hot summer day or a snowy winter day when the sidewalk might be slick.

Stop 7: Skinny House

Your next stop is Copps Hill Burying Ground, and you'll find the entrance across from what's known as the Skinny House (44 Hull Street). The aptly named four-story home is supposedly the narrowest building in Boston — 10.4 feet at its widest point.

It was originally built by a Civil War veteran as a "spite house" after his brother spent all of their inheritance and left this sliver of land on which he could build.

Stop 8: Copps Hill Burying Ground

Since the pandemic started, I've spent a fair amount of time working on my family's genealogy. And while it may seem strange to walk around a cemetery, there is something so meaningful about taking time to read the tombstones and think about what each person's life must have been like.

Copps Hill Burying Ground is Boston's second cemetery and goes back to 1659, long before my family immigrated from Italy. As you read the markers, you'll see that this is the final resting place for craftspeople and merchants who lived their lives in the North End.

From the cemetery, you can see the USS Constitution, another stop on the Freedom Trail, at the Navy Yard at Charlestown. In the distance, you'll also see the North Washington Street Bridge at Lovejoy Wharf.

Stop 9: More pizza, bread and pastries

Your tour of the North End is winding down now. Continue along Hull Street and then take a left onto Snow Hill Street. Follow that to Thacher Street to finish off your tour with amazing food.

Regina Pizzeria

This is the famous Regina Pizzeria (11 1/2 Thacher Street) that's been serving up thin-crust, brick oven pizza since 1926. If you prefer thick squares of Sicilian-style pizza, skip Regina and wait until you hit Parziale's Bakery.

Parziale's Bakery

Head back the way you came on Thacher Street and take a right back onto Prince. Then walk 1.5 blocks and look for Parziale's Bakery on the right side of the street (80 Prince Street).

This may have been the bakery that my nana would have visited. She was born in 1902, and the Parziale family opened a bakery at 7 Charter Street in 1907 after arriving from the Naples area of Italy.

Today, the bakery — now on Prince Street — serves dozens of types of bread, Sicilian pizza squares by the slice or tray (half or full) and, of course, cookies and cannoli shells. This is my favorite place to buy cannolis since the bakery only fills the shells to order. That keeps the pastry crisp (because nothing is worse than a soggy cannoli).

Bova's Bakery

Right around the corner is Bova's Bakery (134 Salem Street), and you have to stop here, too. The bakery serves up many different types of bread. In the springtime, the Easter bread is absolutely delicious. I'm also partial to the lobster tails, and my husband swears by the tiramisu.

Bottom line

I love the North End. It's compact enough that nearly anyone can effectively tour all the sites in a manageable amount of time. And, if you like to browse shops, stop at bakeries or enjoy a leisurely meal, you will love this Boston neighborhood, too.

Fights for Independence

Birth of America

Freedom Trail® Boston

Every step tells a story.

The Freedom Trail is a unique collection of museums, churches, meeting houses, burying grounds, parks, a ship, and historic markers that tell the story of the American Revolution and beyond.

Explore Tours

Walk into history®.

The Freedom Trail Foundation's most popular tour highlights the revolutionary history that took place at 11 of the 16 official Freedom Trail historic sites.

Tour Schedule

11 am, 12 noon, 1 pm  Purchase Tickets  

North End Tours highlight official Freedom Trail historic sites such as Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, Old North Church, and Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, and other historic places in Boston’s oldest neighborhood.  

Saturdays through December 30, 1:30 pm

Private & Custom

All Freedom Trail tours led by 18 th -century costumed guides are excellent for families, school field trips, corporate team building, incentives, and convention activities. These tours can be customized to fit your group's schedule and are available year round. 

Photos from the Trail

What People Are Saying

Yelp review.

The Freedom Trail is one of the iconic touristy things to do in Boston, and there's a reason for that. I did the full trail many, many years ago but decided to go with this shorter, more compact trail with our family. The 1.5 hour length is the right duration for kids, and our guide, Jeremiah Poope (his actual last name!), kept it interesting the entire time. He has been a tour guide in Boston for many years, and he had a ton of interesting stories and facts beyond the typical revolutionary war factoids.

Email Review

We had a wonderful time and your guides were wonderful. They were energetic, informed, and brought history to life. Thank you once again!

TripAdvisor Review

We only had 1 day to explore downtown Boston, and this tour was a great way to see several different sites, learn about history, and get a bit of walking in. We were a few minutes late for the start of the 1pm tour but easily able to catch up and join in.. Our tour guide was fantastic! One member of my group uses a wheelchair, and the guide was great about leading the WHOLE tour through accessible entrances to sites and to sidewalks with curb cuts so that all of us could participate without feeling singled out.

Great tour with Isaiah Thomas! Great local guide who was very engaging and a walking encyclopedia of Boston history. It was a nice 1.5 hr walking tour hitting most of the south end Freedom Trail points of interest. For the money, it’s hard to beat!

The Freedom Trail Walking tour presents full of historic knowledge and our guide, Parker, provides us the best experience for this amazing learning adventure. That is to say, in this tour you can also learn about the myth and the truth of the history we learned from our textbooks. I would recommend anyone who visit Boston and is interested in learning history or simply just want to listen to funny stories

Freedom Trail Preservation

Boston's iconic 2.5 mile-Freedom Trail connects 16 nationally significant historic sites, each one an authentic treasure. Thanks to preservation efforts, these cultural assets are still intact, which makes Boston truly unique as one of the few places in America to experience the actual sites and learn the history they tell while walking through modern city streets.

• Private Tours
• Dine Arounds
• Culinary Trips (Coming Soon)
• Coming Soon

North End (Little Italy) Neighborhood Tour

Boston’s Little Italy Food Tour

Experience the vibrant and flavorful North End neighborhood on our guided food tour. As you join us, we’ll welcome you with a warm “Buongiorno”, or “Ciao” and, perhaps, an authentic Italian gesture to start the day.

Our first stop will be to one of three award-winning pizzerias, either a James Beard Award winner, or one of two Best of Boston winners, one of which has been recognized by TripAdvisor as the best pizza-maker in the country! You’ll get to indulge in the delicious flavors of these acclaimed eateries, setting the tone for the rest of the tour.

Next, we’ll take you to a hidden gem, a three-time Best of Boston Bread Bakery, and a salumeria and pasta shop featured on the Food Network’s “Best Thing That I Ever Ate”. You’ll sample the best-selling Italian bread, balsamic vinegars, and house-made mozzarella, and you’ll learn about the history behind these local establishments.

As we continue to explore the neighborhood, we’ll introduce you to three popular eateries that you might want to come back to later. One has been featured on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives”, and another has been ranked as one of the top restaurants in the country by the New York Times.

The best coffee in the North End

While it’s closed on Sundays, the remainder of the week, we’ll also stop at our favorite old-school coffee shop, where you can enjoy their famous house-made lemon slush during summer months, or a cup of the best espresso our guests say they’ve ever tasted. Before heading to our next destination, we’ll stop at a long line for the Best of Boston Sandwich, a mouth-watering Italian sub that will leave a lasting impression.

After a bit more sightseeing, including a quick stop at Paul Revere’s House, we’ll finish our tour at a small, family-owned restaurant that’s a favorite of locals and Hollywood alike. You’ll savor a delicious pasta course with one of Mama Connie’s famous meatballs, followed by a classic cannoli to round off the perfect North End experience.

Join us for an unforgettable culinary adventure in the heart of Boston’s historic North End!

If you have any questions, please contact us .

Tony DeMarco Statue, corner of Cross and Hanover Streets.

Availability

Sundays, April – November. Up to (6) days weekly as season progresses. Winter version, December – March.

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Related Tours

North End(Little Italy) & Boston Public Market Tour

The North End: Boston's Immigration Gateway

Explore boston’s oldest neighborhood and discover the charm of this unique, compact city space.

Tour Description

Explore Boston’s oldest neighborhood, the North End, with our knowledgeable guide.

Discover the charm of this unique, compact city space that has been home to immigrants for 400 years.

Learn what brought waves of people from Ireland, Eastern Europe, and Italy to the North End; the difficulties they faced when they arrived; and how they made a difference in their new home!

This tour begins at the waterfront and weaves through Boston’s famous ‘crooked and narrow’ streets. It will end in the heart of the North End, the perfect spot to enjoy an Italian treat after the tour!

2024 Member Add-Ons:

Register for the tour on select dates using your membership code for a free tour Add-On option available to members.

- August, Date TBA: Add on a guided visit to Armenian Heritage Park after the tour - Saturday, Sept 28: Add on a guided visit to the Holocaust Memorial after the tour

Become a Boston By Foot member today to enjoy free tours and special members events and activities.

Experience this tour in French or Italian!

Join us for select North End tours without English translation: • Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 4:30 pm: tour given in French • Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 11:00 am: tour given in Italian • Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 4:00 pm: tour given in French

Enjoy our language tours? Join us on select dates for Road to Revolution in Mandarin or French, Beacon Hill in Italian, Art Architecture and Gardens in French, and Boston By Little Feet in German this season.

Tour Information

potential uneven surfaces and moderate inclines

neighborhood historical north end

Public Tour Calendar

Private tours.

Starting Location

Meet your guide at Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, intersection of Richmond St. and Atlantic Ave.

Finding Your Guide: All guides carry an 8×11 sign that says “Boston By Foot Walking Tours.”

Nearest Accessible MBTA Station: Aquarium (Blue Line)

Ending Location

This tour ends in the general area of Salem and Parmenter Streets.

Nearest Accessible MBTA Station: Haymarket (Green & Orange Lines) is 0.3 miles away

Daily & Weekly

• Beacon Hill Beacon Hill
• Boston By Little Feet Boston By Little Feet
• The Dark Side of Boston The Dark Side of Boston
• Heart of the Freedom Trail Heart of the Freedom Trail
• The North End: Boston's Immigration Gateway The North End: Boston's Immigration Gateway
• Reinventing Boston Reinventing Boston
• Road To Revolution Road To Revolution

Monthly & Quarterly

Annual events, new for 2024, archives (1).

Boston’s Politically Incorrect Walking Tour Through Little Italy

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Off the Eaten Path

The essential food tour of boston, ma's north end, off the eaten path tours, food tours and architectural history tours in boston, ma.

• Most Popular!
• Perfect for couples!

Join us for a unique North End, Boston food tour! You will see, hear, and taste Boston’s historic and colorful North End culture on this Boston foodie tour. People of all ages can join and the tour costs includes all food and drink!

• Hour Glass 3 Hours
• Users All Ages

Italy without the passport awaits you.....

Do you love Italian food and wine? Do you love history and architecture? Then let me guide you on three tours rolled into one!

We will eat the best regional Italian cuisine spanning Sicily to Genoa, try authentic olive oils, balsamic vinegars, prosciutto, cheese, artisanal bread, freshly made mozzarella and handmade pasta and gnocchi, learn about Italian wine, visit hidden bakeries, an 80 year old coffee and spice shop, and experience a true local caffe. Ending the progressive meal with cannoli, gelato and espresso!! Enjoy all of this delicious food, while I unravel the fascinating history of how the oldest district in Boston has become the largest little Italy in America!! You will leave with full bellies, hearts, and minds!!

Please read reviews on TripAdvisor, yelp, and Google!! This is the most high quality tour in Boston.

A Tale of Two Peninsulas

A consistent theme of the tour is exploring the hyper-localism of the North End and the parallels to Italy’s hyper-regionalism . Both places are peninsulas that have been conquered by various groups of ethnicities and people over their histories. The North End has always been “separate” from Boston, in that it’s a peninsula with natural and at times artificial boundaries ( The JFK Expressway built in the 1950s completely Balkanized the neighborhood until the completion of the Big Dig and subsequent Greenway Park). Italy is the most invaded country in history (just look at where it’s located on a map; it’s the crossroads of three continents). Geography , history , and food will play equal parts on our journey and exploration of two great peninsulas. This food tour of the North End, Boston will have you hungry for more cultural appreciation! 

The Ultimate Boston North End Experience!

Paula led my partner, parents, and me on a delicious and educational tour of Boston’s North End. So much variety! Restaurants, a lovely cafe, and some very neat markets—one that still looks as it did in the 1930s (if my recollection is accurate). My partner and I are vegetarians, and were easily accommodated for. Paula is brilliant and good-humored. Her background in art history is clear. She’ll be leading tours of the North End’s architecture soon; we’ll certainly be joining her for one of those!

Paula was extremely knowledgeable and friendly, and provided wonderful historical context for all of the food we ate. She has far more North End (and Italian) expertise than any of the corporate tours could. She is also extremely accommodating, and the tour is great for vegetarians. I can’t recommend it enough!

We were taken back in time through history and food. The North End has much to offer and Paula took our group to places we never would have found on our own. She is pleasant and passionate about her community and we recommend her tour to anyone looking to learn more about this great community while enjoying some of the best Italian food we’ve ever had. Highly recommended and I bet you’ll love the memories you take from this amazing experience.

I am headed to college in Boston, and recently took Paula’s “Off the Eaten Path” food tour. It is one of my favorite things I have ever done during my visits to Boston! Paula is a local of the North End and is known and very obviously loved by everyone there. She took us all around Little Italy to places that represent authentic food from all regions of Italy. The food was SO good, and we even took a couple of to-go boxes. Everyone that we met was friendly, welcoming, and excited to share their culture and story. I learned so much about the food, regions of Italy, and about Italy’s influence on Boston’s historical North End.

Loved walking around the North End with someone who was obviously part of and passionate about her neighborhood’s history and cuisine. Paula shared wonderful, funny and insightful anecdotes about characters past and present that brought the area and it’s unique place in Boston’s broader culture alive. The delicious tastes along the way were beautifully woven into a truly superb food tour!

It's hard to choose what part of the tour was my favorite. I loved it all. It was just the right mix of interesting history, delicious food, and great local knowledge. Paula is a joy to be with and she was clearly someone who loves and cares for her neighbors and neighborhood. I can't imagine a better food tour or a better way to learn about the North End.

Paula is knowledgeable, funny and a wonderful storyteller! She will ensure you are well fed while fascinating you with North End history, and current details. She will walk and guide you through the neighborhood streets and make stops at unique neighborhood shops. She will educate you on olive oils and feed you the most DELICIOUS food (and wine) . Easily one the best food tours and a highlight of our Boston trip!

This is a fantastic tour to learn about Boston's North End while enjoying some great food and hidden gems! Paula is super engaging and friendly. She is passionate about her neighborhood and has so many wonderful connections and insight. I learned a lot and was definitely full at the end! I've done many, many food tours and this ranks among my favorites. It's a great way to learn about a city. I was by myself and included with a group doing an activity for their work. Everyone was friendly and our group of 12 did not seem too large. Thank you Paula!

North End Tour now available on Saturdays

Yummy Walks

Boston food tours.

What is a Yummy Walk?

Yummy Walks offers fun and delicious food tasting, walking, and discovery tours. We highlight “off the beaten path” mom and pop establishments that locals frequent as well as iconic eateries and restaurants. Throughout, we incorporate unique and delicious food tastings. Besides the great food, our guests discover the history, culture, architecture, and entertainment offerings of Boston’s most exciting neighborhoods.

• Most Popular!

North End/Little Italy Food Tour

The North End Little Italy Food Tour is a leisurely-paced walking tour that carves a path through the streets of Boston’s charming North End.

• User All ages
• Clock 3 hours

What Food Lovers Have to Say About our Boston Food Tours

Great tour with delicious spots. Diane was our tour guide and she was very knowledgeable and accommodating to our needs. Plenty of food and history! Highly recommended

We did the North End tour with Barbara and it was great! The food was delicious and it was a fun way to learn about Boston's history. Definitely recommend!

My husband and I loved the tour and agree that it was the perfect balance of interesting information and delicious food. Diane was so likable & obviously loves her city. We’ve been back home less than a day and have already recommended the North End Yummy Walk to several people :-)

We did the North end tour. The food was delicious, and there was a good amount of history. I was hoping for more food and a bit less history, but overall it was good.