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.

LoConte always aims to please. Whether you are there on a date and eating like a bird (with a full wine glass to boot) to loosening the old belt for the famous chicken parm or gnocchi and short ribs, you will always get a bang for your buck at this Salem Street staple. With a fresh bread basket awaiting you at the table, to decadent desserts as you leave, this Italian fare should not be missed.

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.

Mix an eclectic taste in music, a choice location in the North End, a fun, young clientele, and an authentic Italian menu and staff, and—voila! Rabia's. Nestled on a cozy street, Rabia's is a simple yet tasty choice for Italian and Mediterranean dining. The glass vineyard ceiling, complete with illuminated crystal grapes, and a large window front that opens during the warmer months, give the classy interior a romantic touch without overdoing it. Thankfully, the prices won't cause your wallet to feel outdone either. Traditional pastas average $13, and more elaborate meals run $16-27, including the seafood dishes, such as lobster ravioli ($19) and shrimp and clams linguini ($18). A small selection of desserts helps redefine paradise, offering a truly phenomenal tiramasu ($8). Show up early to avoid long waits on weekend nights; couples stand a better chance at getting a table first than large groups, even if you have reservations.

This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Budget-minded diners can cut back on their bill by skipping a second appetizer and indulging in complimentary bread, olive oil and imported olives.

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.

A small and intimate restaurant that serves modern Italian dishes. Popular choices include the open-faced scallop and lobster ravioli and the pan-roasted filet mignon. It has a wonderful wine list, and you are likely to have the same server on each visit. Terramia is not your typical mom-and-pop restaurant in the North End and a great place for a romantic dinner. Decor is gorgeous. Comfortable, stylish and modern. I wish every room in my house looked this good. If there is a wait for a table (which there often is) they suggest you grab a drink at the bar in Bacco Ristorante, a restaurant just across the street. The hostess will come and get you in Bacco once your table is ready.

Lucca is situated on bustling Hanover Street and the historic Freedom Trailn Boston’s North End. In the summer months, the windows open to the street creating the feeling of alfresco dining. The meals are as good as the ambiance. The sultry music, Italian granite floors, and candlelit interior combine to create a relaxing atmosphere. Cocktails are served at the large, solid mahogany bar, displaying a vast array of exotic liquors and Italian grappa. Beneath the glow of a circular stained glass mural depicting vignettes of musicians, one enters the equally impressive wine room. This area showcases the extensive, award winning collection of Italian and American wines stored in two beautiful mahogany and glass wine rooms. This, combined with the century old granite walls gives the room a feeling of warmth and intimacy. Bar open until 1am. 3 free private dining rooms seat up to 80 people. Bonus: 500 bottle wine list.

Do you love good Italian food and it thrills you to be able to do a little celebrity spotting as well? Then Strega is your place. Opened in 2003 with a lavish Soprano studded bash, this North End hotspot keeps the locals and tourists alike coming back for excellent service, innovative cuisine, and little bit of local color. Do not be suprised if the owner, Nick Varano, seats you himself and regals you in his latest culinary tale. Valet Parking available. Entrees range from $14-$36 and the appetizers from $8-$16. Incredibly Italian heavy wine list in the more expensive range.

Don't let the waiters' military-style uniforms (complete with Italian-flag epaulets—or is that Mexico?) fool you, the mood at this North End standby is anything but regimented. From the moment you enter the warm, candlelit, romantic dining room off Hanover St., owner Franco Graceffa will cajole you into having a good time, whether you're on a quiet date or a blocking group party. The food here shines, too, with a menu that covers traditional Southern Italian dishes and some regional specialties. Start with the involtini di Melanzane ($10), an eggplant rolatini that continues to be a crowd favorite, and the fried calamari ($10). Move on to massive portions of chicken, veal, and pasta, making sure to sample the chicken braciolettini ($20) and mozarella, portabello, and spinach-stuffed veal ($30). One caveat: even with reservations (highly recommended), you may have to wait a bit to get a table, especially with big groups. That said, once you've cooled your heels at the bar and joined in one of Graceffa's boisterous sing-alongs, you'll be ready to take on the delights Dolce Vita has to offer. Life here is indeed very, very good. Entrees $15-30. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

It's kind of funny, but this place has gotten some fairly limp reviews about both the food and the service. However, when I visited and spoke to one of the chefs, he was very engaging and obviously had a great deal of pride in the restaurant. They have an open kitchen, a fireplace downstairs, and a cozy space overall. They use the freshest local ingredients, and their most popular dishes are the specials. If you don't see a dish on the menu, they will prepare what you want to order. This isn't the sort of place where you will get rushed out. If you want to sit back to chat and reminisce with old friends and drink wine for 2-3 hours, you're more than welcome to do so. They tried a little hard with the faux-exposed brick, but if you're enjoying yourself, who cares? Tip: For a more intimate dinner, request a table for 2 downstairs.