Limoncello Ristorante
190 North St, Boston, MA, 02113
Limoncello Ristorante Menu
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Antipasti
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Insalata
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Zuppa
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Pasta
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Cantorni
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Secondi
Healthy Meal suggestions for Limoncello Ristorante
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Antipasti
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Insalata
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Zuppa
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Pasta
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Cantorni
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Secondi
Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
190 North St
Boston, MA, 02113 - Phone (617) 523-4480
- Website https://www.ristorantelimoncello.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : No
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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KC C.
Love love love this place. Homemade pasta, fresh ingredients, friendly staff. This was a recommended place to dine and I'm glad I tried it. There are soooo many restaurants in Little Italy; you can try those all another time. COME HERE! We spent about $100 with tip and got two entrees, two glasses of wine, an appetizer and dessert. Oh, and coffee too. Ambiance is great with seating inside but near and open window. Great for a first date or even family night. A must when you come to Boston.
(5)Mountain Chick T.
This place was amazing. The four of us enjoyed everything! Mama's Meatballs were the best I've had with the exception of my husband's. The Rosette was delicious. Love the olives before dinner. Excellent service. Highly recommended.
(5)James T.
Didn't know to make reservations so had a seat by a nice old Italian bird while we had some beer and waited for a table. On the way to the table the hostess said "so, you met the boss?" We asked "She's the owner?" The waitress replied "No, she's the owner's mother." Apparently she had brought over some of her own recipes from the old country and, after I myself lived in Napoli for a number of years, it showed! I have eaten Italian all around the states in the past five years since my return and even love by the little Italy on Baltimore but this was the first meal that's taken me back across the ocean!
(5)Ming-Jou C.
Rolled out of there after a great meal. This restaurant would be great for a buy-out because of its perfect size for a group. The food was awesome, the service attentive and everything came out relatively quickly. Had the carpaccio and spinach salad to start. Followed by the lobster raviolio with crabmeat pink sauce with tomatoes, topped off with their tiramisu. Everything was good, but the tiramisu was so good, i wanted to marry it. Not everyone might like this style, but it was like the perfect tiramisu to me, because it was like frozen ice cream. Came in a glass straight from the freezer and strong rum and espresso soaked cake at the bottom with just the right amount of marscapone goodness. Wow. I didn't touch the free bread and olives they bring to the table. Two girls at the table next to us ordered everything to share, which isn't such a bad idea if you're a lightweight. But I'm a two-starter kind of gal, so screw "sharing is caring." Love this place and would go back if I'm ever in Boston again. Casual, unpretentious atmosphere and they had some dude playing guitar and singing. Not overpowering loudness, so it was good ambience.
(5)Tim R.
Not sure if we just had an off night, but our food was cold and tasteless. We had an order of the meatballs as an appetizer and they came out cold, decent but cold. There were six in our party and not one of us enjoyed our meal. My entree (shrimp and pasta) was lukewarm and tasteless. Service was the only thing good about the place.
(1)Brandon T.
Under pressure to find the best place to have an Italian dinner in the North End, I found this place fitting all of the good criteria. Solid food, location, good wine, and takes reservations. So be aware that parking is impossible on the weekends, and there is no valet, so arrive extra early to park over by Quincy Market and walk. Also the parking cost $36 for a couple of hours and is CASH ONLY so heads up there as well. We arrived just in time, but had to wait 20 minutes as our table wasn't ready. No worries as all the workers were friendly, and was given a glass of wine as I waited while watching the Conference Finals in back. We were finally seated around 8:20 and began to nosh on the bread parm and olives that were brought immediately. Our orders were soon taken, and the salad and apps were prompt. We got the caesar salad and meatballs which were both fantastic. For entree's we had the bronzino and veal parm. Again the fish was cooked perfectly, and the veal parm is some of the best i've had before. For dessert we had the tiramisu which kept right along with the theme and was also very good. I can't say many bad things. Obviously having our table ready when the reservations specified would be nice. Also having glasses of wine that were decent, rather than having to get a bottle to have a good wine would also be a plus. Yet all in all I would definitely come back, and recommend to anyone coming for a night out to make a point to come here.
(4)Andrea E.
It looks like the reviews here are pretty much split...Not Great..and Great.! But after tonight, I have to be honest and say everything we ordered was over the top fantastic. From the home-made Meat Balls, that rivaled my Italian Nana's - to the perfectly dressed Caesar Salad for appetizers was amazing. We shared the house famous Rosette pasta with a Tomato Cream Truffle sauce and it was amazingly light with delightful ricotta and savory sausage filling. Truly delectable! I had the Sole special prepared Francesca style - sauteed in a light egg-battered, butter, lemon and white wine sauce with fresh green been and carrots. Cooked to perfection. The Canolis for dessert were the best in town; Perfect crust and filing. Great cappuccino and Tiramisu to boot. All in all a perfect meal. Not too heavy that we left there filling ill, but rather just perfectly content and happy to head home with out bellies full and it was nice not being rushed out by the waitstaff- as we definitely overstayed our welcome....catching up with family! Will definitely be back!
(5)Jill T.
Eight of us ate here the other evening and we all were very happy with our meals. Scallops Limoncello appetizer was to die for, we were sopping up the sauce with the delicious bread. Some of the pasta is home made and fabulous. Service was very attentive, even though it was busy The only concern i had was there were only two desserts on the menu. This may be because many people go to the cafes for dessert, but we happened to be in a hurry and would have liked more choices We all agreed we would definitely come back again!
(4)Diana M.
My favorite restaurant in the world. Beautiful Italian food. I cannot recommend this enough GO HERE!! There are a ton of great restaurants in the North End, but I can tell you, this is one of the best. The meatballs are savory and moist. I recommend you eat the specials since they are always off the charts.
(4)Michael B.
Really enjoyed this place. We've sampled a number of restaurants in Boston and specifically in the North End. This place is definitely one to return to. Had no problem making a reservation for 5 people, granted it was during the week but considering all the other places around where no reservations or a 2 hour wait is the norm this was definitely a plus. The food was excellent. They bring out bread and olives to start with along with some olive oil and a good heap of parmesan. Very nice touch by the way to bring out parm this early in the meal. Us cheese lovers really appreciate that. Mama's meaballs were great! Good size meatballs, well prepared, flavorful with a nice sauce. Buffalo mozzarella was pretty good, but nothing remarkable. Then came the entrees. Myself and another person got the porkchop stuffed with fontina cheese and spinach. Out-freaken-standing. Seriously it was a damn good porkchop. We also shared an order of the rosette pasta which apparently is award winning and deservedly so. This pasta looks like a rose but tastes like heaven. JUST AWESOME. Just the right amount of cheese and sauce, perfect consistency to the pasta, really loved it. We then got the dessert sampler, which we all agreed was pretty damn good and were then treated to several free limoncello shots. Speaking of being treated, the service was excellent. Sometimes you don't feel like spending 3 hours at a dinner, this place definitely accomodates. We were done with our dinner in a little over an hour, which is exactly what we wanted that night. So it was perfect. There were 5 of us at dinner, all with fairly different tastes and all of thoroughly enjoyed this place. It's definitely in the rotation!
(4)Stephanie V.
Service was the best I have ever seen. We were late and they really didn't have to seat us, but they were kind enough to work something out. So glad they did. We loved it. Water and wine glasses were never empty, and it seemed to be everyone's job to make sure we were happy. I have never eaten a cannoli I actually liked, but this one was out of this world. Nice atmosphere--a real gem.
(4)Mark H.
Went to dinner at Limoncello with another large group in the same basic area is Mamma Maria, in fact just a couple doors down. Another Italian place but this time the service was off the hook good for a large group that wanted to have fun. Our waitress, Lulu joined in on the fun and was very pleasant to have around and helped us every step of the way from wine selection to appetizers to her favorite entrées. Never once did we feel rushed and it did not matter how loud our group got and how much fun we had, it just melded right in with all the other groups they had in the restaurant having a good time enjoying a great meal. If you're looking to take a group out for Italian food in the Northend and I would highly recommend this restaurant, great food, outstanding service and a fun atmosphere it hit all the major points. I will be back with my own group I'm sure in the very near future.
(5)Becky M.
I came from San Francisco and left my heart at Limoncello in Boston! This little gem is tucked away in the North End and the wonders within their walls will steal your heart as well. We wined, we dined, we were even serenaded. The meal was more than good. Orgasmic comes to mind. The wine was an amazing choice and the waiter kept us well lubricated. Speaking of our waiter, he was AMAZING! He catered to us and made us happy and we loved Antonio more than life itself! I wanted to bring him home with me (but not in a dirty way)! Go here - your Italian fantasies will all come true. Oh yeah, let's talk about the bill for a moment...5 people, 2 bottles of wine - ONLY $188 before tip! Limoncello, you really did steal my heart!
(5)Kimberly L.
Part of me doesn't even want to review this little gem because I don't want everyone else finding out how good it is and making it crowded. I have yet to ever stand in line even when other restaurants in the North End have somewhere around a 2 hour wait, but maybe thats just me being lucky. The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgable, and the food is authentic and delicious. They also make their Limoncello homemade and is the perfect end to a meal. Its conveniently located in the North End but tucked away off of Hanover so there's less foot traffic. This is by far my favorite restaurant in the North End.
(5)Stacey V.
Had lunch at Limoncello`s everything was delicious! The very fresh bread with the very tasty olive oil! I had the Rosette Limoncello dish it was the best Italian food outside of Italy.My husband had the veal said it was the best veal he had very had! We had cannoli`s for dessert they were so fresh, Best cannoli I had ever had! If you are in Boston this place is a must!!
(5)Chris C.
From my dinner groups comments: "Crowded" and "slightly cheesy" "North End Guinea" decor but the "super yummy" stuffed artichoke app and "good" food as well as the "attentive and amusing" server -- with the "heavy hand on the Lemoncello" -- made for a "pleasant experience" overall, if a "slightly pricey" I have been here twice now, and enjoyed it very much both times. I have been on busy nights in the North End, and it's never a wait if you show up before 7pm. the waiters are fun, and nice, and it's just a very good italian in a sea of them (some of which aren't as good!)
(4)Tom I.
Food & service were awesome. Was there with large group of clients, made reservation and was seated right away. Menus was straight fwd, special of the day was great (risotto....my client commented as good as Italy) I had squid ink seafood pasta, had good amount of lobster meat on top & pasta was cooked right. The only beef was they didn't have any local beer, esp Sam Adams, which made my client sad. I guess that's north end thing??? (had same experience before) but the Italian beer that the offered instead was nice & refreshing. There's very unfriendly old lady sitting all way back in the room, and turned out the owner, and actually nice. She just watch her place run as it supposed to...I see.
(4)Leesa S.
Why have I never eaten here before when dining in the North End?!! The name alone should have given me a hint about what a gem this place is. I dined with business colleagues on a Tuesday evening. We had a reservation and by 7:30 the tables were full. We all ordered the swordfish special which was just this side of a religious experience. I rarely finish a full entree when dining out but my plate was clean. We started with fresh mozzerella (clearly homemade but nothing special) and the meatballs which were reviewed by another diner. These were good but since I'm not a huge meateater I only took a sample bite. Our waiter was attentive and entertaining. He recommended a great bottle of reasonably price Chianti which simply completed the meal. This restaurant is quaint and small and clearly a family-run operation. How I missed this right next door to the Paul Revere house I have no idea. This place is now at the top of my favorite dining experiences in Boston's North End.
(4)Chris P.
This place is delightful. I took my wife here after a really frustrating day (105 degrees and a failed attempt at a whale watch. Ungh :) and had one of the best Italian meals we've ever eaten in the North End. The atmosphere is very nice, old world and bustling, with very pleasant decor, clean and well kept with murals on the walls. The service was very attentive. They wre johnny on the spot refilling our water, asking if we wanted more bread, etc. And the pacing was just perfect, our appetizers were whisked away, followed by a brief pause for digestion and then our main course. My wife had the chilled seafood salad special to start - this was a real winner. Squid, shrimp, scallops and clams all marinated to tender perfection and then chilled and served with a green salad. She loved it. Coming from someone who wouldn't THINK about eating squid a year or two ago, that says something! I had the braised baby octopus appetizer. Also incredibly good. Lots of octopus and chick peas in a delicious sauce. I had a disk that was a ragu of lamb and veal with home made fusilli (which were delightfully delicate and very tasty) in a delicious red sauce. The meat was, as one would hope, falling apart from having cooked in a vat of sauce all day, and was delicious. I'd definitely get this again. My wife's entree was also quite excellent. She ordered the squid ink linguini in a cream sauce and she really enjoyed it. She said the squid ink linguini was lighter and more delicate than others she's had which she very much liked, and that the cream sauce was quite tasty as well. It's not cheap, but if you want Italian in a casual atmosphere that will really knock your socks off, this place can't be beat. We'll definitely be going back!
(5)JH J.
It's been a personal goal of mine to dine at all North End restaurants at least once (with intent to sample linguine & clams, of course!). So, it was kind of a surprise that I had never even heard of Limoncello. Clearly, I need to be more aware of my surroundings as I had just gone to Carmen (next door) about 2 months earlier. The atmosphere here showcased a good vibe of chatty diners, full tables, bustling waitstaff, clanking dishes, and Italian music. Our table ordered a bunch of appetizers -nothing too memorable, but tasty for typical Italian apps. I did order the L&C and it was quite fabulous! However, when my dish was served I could tell it had sat for a while after it was plated, maybe under a heat lamp? It was still great, but definitely took a while for the food to come out. I have to give Limoncello only 3 stars because of the service. My entree could earn 4 stars but the service was generic and vanilla -nothing setting it apart or calling me back. It felt rushed, like get 'em in, get 'em out (which was odd, because my food definitely wasn't rushed!). They need to step up the service, focusing more on the customers in the restaurant rather than trying to quickly flip tables for the customers waiting.
(3)Howe L.
Despite the recommendations, I wasn't too impressed when I came here for lunch. Lively and attentive service, but for the food, I prob loved the bread the best :/ The special dish was too rich and heavy. Octopus lacked flavored. Salmon and eggplant parm just smothered in too much sauce.
(3)Melissa M.
Limoncello, just saying the name brings back memories I didn't even think I had. You no understand a what I'm a tryin' to tell a you? Step One: Just order a Limoncello. Step Two: Sip it. You'll thank me later. That is, if you remember.
(5)K. E.
We're from out of town and were recommended to try this place by our hotel front desk worker, who said it was one of her personal favorite places. This was our last lunch in town before we went to the airport, and it was a perfect North End Italian experience. The house specialty pasta dish was especially wonderful. We had a couple of glasses of house wines which were just fine. The service was impeccable. Perfect olive oil with the perfect bread really added to the experience. My husband said I didn't tip enough (I must have made a mistake, I'm really sorry), so I promised him I would yelp the restaurant to help even up my karma.
(4)Stephanie W.
This is in a cute location and has a great feel to it... but I have to say I was really disappointed. So, I walked in at 2:00 on a weekday to an almost empty restaurant. There were a few people here and there but nothing busy. Okay, it is late, not a big deal. I sit down, open the menu and nearly go into shock. $22 for pasta at LUNCH!? Well, turns out AT 2:00 they switch to the dinner menu. I got there right at 2:00. Instead of saying, hey, let's cut this girl a break, I was given the dinner menu. This was not a good start to my lunch. So, I order a simple pasta dish. Okay, let me be honest, I picked the cheapest pasta dish. Simple spaghetti. i have to say, I am picky about my red sauce but seriously, this was nothing to right home about. I was disappointed I had to a) waste a meal here b) spend so much. The highlight? The free bread and dipping sauce. The olive oil is AMAZING. Real olives and it actually tasted like OLIVES! That is pretty rare in most restaurants... If I were you I'd skip this place.
(2)Jeff R.
Good experience! Food tasted very good and the portions were worth the pricing! The server was attentive and the food came out quick. All in all a great family meal.
(4)Scott T.
We had dinner here on a Friday night. The restaurant was packed and it was clear that people were here for the great food. Everything they sent us was delicious. We did an antipasto plate which was very good. I had a swordfish special which was outstanding. We would come back here again.
(5)Alisa B.
The food was tasty but I've never felt so rushed and unwanted at a restaurant. Mind you we came around 9:00, and they close at 10, but by 9:30, they were unsubtly taking our not even close to being finished plates and packing them up, mopping right by our feet, cleaning our table... When we were not nearly ready to leave. I understand we got there near closing time, but for the prices we spent- $30 per plate + $60 bottle of wine... It was garishly inappropriate and rude. Don't let patrons eat at that late hour if you clearly don't want them there near closing. Very bad service and experience. Would not recommend.
(2)Brittany B.
Now this is an authentic Italian restaurant! This is coming from an Italian whose also traveled to Italy twice. Not only is the food out of this world good but the staff are all kind and most have a real Italian flare making the experience that much better. Even got my boyfriend who normally isnt up for Italian craving to come back! Dishes I have tried are the cesar salad, the beef carpaccio, lobster and crab ravioli, and another seafood pasta which I cant remember the name of. The pasta sauce was one of the best Ive ever had. Dont forget to try their homemade cannolis or tiramisu! Yumm.
(5)Richard M.
We've been to Limoncello before and the food was very good. However, this past Saturday, we wanted to have dinner there again. It was Labor Day weekend and busy in the city. We knew the restaurants would be busy so we went early, around 6 pm. There was a couple in front of us in the line, who knew the host. They didn't have a reservation either, but they were seated right away. I get that. When the host came back, he asked if we had reservations and we said we did not. Instead of telling us that the wait would be a half hour or an hour or whatever, he just said, quite rudely, that he would not be able to accommodate us. I mentioned that he had just seated the other couple without a reservation, and he just shrugged and said he wouldn't be able to seat us. I understand that restaurants can be busy, especially on a beautiful evening on a holiday weekend. But is there any reason why the host needs to treat patrons so poorly? Could he just not have said the wait would be an hour, two hours, whatever, and let us make the choice? Instead, we were made to feel that we didn't meet his "standards" for who he wanted in his restaurant. Needless to say, despite the fact we have dined there before and enjoyed it, I refuse to spend my money in a place that treats customers that way. Instead, we ended up at Assaggio on Prince Street, were treated with respect and had a wonderful meal.
(1)Ben S.
Food was pretty good (I've had better). Service and experience was great. They kind of cram you in there, though. Worth a stop if you're looking for something to eat at "Little Italy".
(4)Shaina F.
AAAAAAmazing - my second time here after an equally amazing first experience here a few years ago. Went with 3 girlfriends and we all started with Caesar salad (no anchovies, thank you), and obviously the delectable bread they give you (which I ended up using to sop of every last drop of my sauce). For dinner I cannot remember the name of the pasta dish (but a picture it worth a thousand words...see attached) - it had a crazy long name and was apparently featured in Time magazine according to our waiter, since I asked him what he suggested. It was long flat pasta with prosciutto, mushrooms, cheese, and truffle oil in a blush sauce....oh MY god. My family is very Italian, so naturally I take my Italian food very seriously (and very critically!). This place should not be looked over, I highly recommend it! Their specials all sounded amazing too and everything looked beautiful, and was priced really reasonably. They also have 5-6 different house wines so you don't have to go crazy spending tons on the alcohol. Our house Pinot Grigio was the perfect accent to our meal. Ciao, see you soon again I'm sure!
(5)Mark D.
After an arduous day of trekking about Boston's Freedom Trail, our party of 6 was ready for a hearty meal in the North End. Limoncello accepted us close to 6PM without a reservation and we were quickly seated. A generous basket of delicious warm fresh bread soon was delivered to our table. The wine list has many reasonably priced bottles available. Everyone's entrée was delicious and met our expectations. I had the lobster ravioli. It was well stuffed with tender lobster meat and was delicious. The service was absolutely great. No water glass remained unfilled for long. The restaurant uses a team waiting concept. All servers were friendly and courteous. There are many restaurants available in this Italian neighborhood, but I would dine at this one again.
(4)Ross G.
Yeah finally got to try here recently, and it went well. For an appetizer we got the meatballs and sauce which was amazing. My entree consisted of Linguine and clams which was also very. I would recommend that if you like seafood. The service was better than average, and I would likely go back. If i remember correctly we also ordered a bottle of wine. Oh Boston nights :). The restaurant lay out also very nice as well, as noted in the other reviews. It's tough to go wrong in the north end, but make sure you stop by Limoncello if you do venture here.
(4)Raquelle Z.
Veal saltimboca was a masterpiece
(5)Carla C.
There are SO many restaurants to choose from in the North End but we came here based on my fellow yelpers reviews. And so glad we did! Everything from the crusty bread and savory olives delivered to our table upon being seated to the pasta dishes (fresh and cooked perfectly al dente), the veal which melted in your mouth to the exceptional desserts (FRESHLY filled) creamy cannoli, extremely flavorful tiramisu and an extraordinary lemon/blueberry marscapone cake. Everything was perfectly executed and on point. The service was extremely attentive and professional. Just a wonderful evening! Can't wait to return! Mille grazie!
(5)Chuck L.
So disappointing. Concierge at Marriott suggested this place and we assume they have a "financial relationship." Tried to order an appetizer and was told that we could not - had to order it with our meal. Service was terrible and obvious that they just wanted to turn the table. Food was OK. Nothing special. And service was horrible. Way too many better options in the North End... will never go back to Lemoncello.
(1)Chiraag B.
Had a really great time here - make reservations EARLY if you want a seat else you will have to wait. Try the Rosette Al Montasio Ed Olio Di Tartufo - the sauce is amazing, if you like cream sauce. Also, the wine selection is very good albeit a little $$. They offer by the bottle so its better if you go in a group. It's a very busy place so the servers appear a little stressed out just managing the traffic. I didn't give this place 5 stars, because we were asked 4 times within a span of 10 minutes alone to check if we were finished working our food. We just asked to be left alone at the 4th time because it got a little frustrating. But otherwise apart from the isolated experience - we really enjoyed our food and would probably come here again!
(4)Whitney B.
Really good food. Got in without reservation around 6pm on a Tuesday. Stuffed chicken was kind of dry. Bread was awesome.
(4)Michael C.
Good Italian food but a bit pricy. The service was fair but not great. This is a good spot for a nice meal out.
(4)Alyx F.
4 stars for food, 5+++++ stars for service. This is such a family restaurant and it was a true pleasure to dine here. They take reservations and I highly recommend that you get one since this place gets busy. The bread was AMAZING. The pasta was really good. Also, their house wine was great. Definitely an awesome option, and it was some of the best italian food I have had!
(5)Anthony M.
NORTH END STARS Search the North End of Boston for restaurants and the first 19 all have 4 or more stars. I find that amazing. I would have expect there to be at least a few bad ones. Luckily I was with my buddy Tony M and he is from the area. So between Yelp and his inside info I knew we were covered. During our car ride, I started reading all of the Yelp ratings, as we decided where we were going to eat dinner. We finally settled on Limeoncello because Tony M had eaten here before and he thought I would like. I must also mention that you need to check out Paul Revere's House, which is right next door and the Freedom Trail in front, which is marked in brick, it is the famous ride through the streets of Boston by Revere to warn the colonist that, "The Redcoats Are Coming!" Okay enough history it was time to eat. The restaurant had a nice crowd when we walked in. We were immediately seated at a window table where we could enjoy the view of the street. Not much was happening out there but we kept an eye open in case Paul Revere had streaked by. Our waiter was very slick. He oozed Italian attitude, almost like he didn't have time for us but in a nice way. He rattled off the specials and everything sounded so good. I asked him what was his favorite menu item and he told me everything. That really didn't help me unless I was ordering everything. We decided to start with an appetizer and ordered the clams and mussels in a spicy white wine sauce. They were delicious. I must say that all of the shells had opened and there was not one grain of sand in the shells. That is one of my dinning pet peeve's and it always seems to happen to me but tonight the chef knocked it out of the park. The sauce was really good and I probably used the whole basket of bread to just soak up every drop of it. Yum! Part of me was going to ask for a spoon and eat the sauce as if it was a soup. For my entree I went with the Veal Parmesan with a side of spaghetti. It was exactly what I wanted. I was looking for some old school Italian and I found it here. The red sauce was really fresh, in fact I could see the chunks of fresh basil and garlic in there. The veal was a very healthy portion. I hate it when you get a tiny little piece of veal. They didn't mess around here. The veal hit the spot and was exactly what I wanted. It was the perfect comfort food for a cold Boston night. My buddy ordered one of the specials. He got a stuffed pork chop with spinach, mozzarella and prosciutto with a side of fresh green beans. It was huge! It could probably tip over Fred Flintstone's car. Okay I am exaggerating but I guarantee you will not go hungry, if you eat here. I did not taste it...dudes don't do that but from the look on his face and his comments he was making me have pork chop envy. He did let me snap a photo which I will post. I can successfully say that we both choose fantastic dishes for dinner including our starter. Maybe our waiter was right when he said everything on the menu was delicious. He should have a little attitude for serving this fantastic food. I only had two items tonight and I was sold. We also had a great bottle of house merlot and it was a perfect addition to our Italian feast in the North End. Another nice touch they do is deliver a bowl of olives to enjoy with your bread. That's a perfect Italian snack: olives, bread and red wine. I personally loved this place and I look forward to the next time I get to come back but it may be hard with all of these 4+ star restaurants around here. I may need to compare this place to another. I do know that if you're looking for some nice Italian done right then this is the place. Ciao my Yelp friends and Mangia!
(5)Mike B.
Stopped in on a business trip, someone recommended the North End for Italian food, there's plenty. Feverishly opened yelp app in cab, look for restaurant with liquor, because business trip (obvi) and settled on Limoncello. Limoncello does not serve liquor, so that was disappointing, but that was the only thing disappointing about the experience. The restaurant was rather empty when we were there, which was earlier in the evening. I had the seafood dish, it was incredible. Muscles, Clams, Squid. Let me say it again, it was incredible. Don't like seafood? Well, they serve other things, so don't get angry. Good wine and decent beer list. Enjoyed the restaurant, the wait staff was incredibly friendly. I would absolutely go back to this restaurant again if I am in the Boston area. Again- they don't have liquor.
(4)Lou C.
The food is good. But are there other restaurants in the North End with better food and better service in the same price range? Definitely. But I agree with Jaclyn S. They really try rushing you out of there. We also were discouraged from ordering appetizers separately from our entrees. I can't remember any other restaurant that tried doing that--- but we ordered the appetizers and entrees separately anyway. Our food order was incorrect and three of us had to wait for our dishes while the other two in our party had their order. Screw-ups happen. But when you add the atmosphere of them wanting you to finish and get out, it's not exactly the relaxing family dinner out we've had at other restaurants in the North End.
(2)J G.
Dinner for 10, 4 in the group had never been to Boston or the North End. The experience was great! Oh the meatballs, why can't I get you out of my head!!! The meatballs and red sauce were special. When I go back, I'm going to feast on meatballs! Anyway, everything else was great too!
(5)Amber E.
I try to visit the North End on every trip to Boston, and although there are so many great restaurants, cafes and pizzerias, this is one of my favorite. Our waiter, Antonio has been here for years, and is so gracious and charming. This time, I tried the pasta w/ seafood in a slightly spicy red sauce, and it was excellent. The bread is tasty, too. House wines were very good, and reasonably priced, and we enjoyed their homemade limoncello at the end of our meal. Ciao til next time!
(5)Sarah O.
Excellent service, fast and effective. Great food. Food was hot, prompt, and delicious. Pleasantly surprised. Def be back. The North End is my favorite part of Boston. I love the close knitted people and locals of that area.
(5)Jenn C.
I had the penne arrabbiata. Arguably a boring choice, but I don't care. I love spicy pasta, and I loved what they brought me. Husband had the gnocchi Sorrentino, also very good. Everyone really enjoyed their food here. My friend's Carbonara looked delightful, but I was too full to try it. We came at lunch time on a Monday, so there was no wait. Overall, good dining experience.
(4)Roger Z.
Died and went to heaven! Scallops Limoncello were otherworldly. Linguine and red clam sauce was so good Paul Revere might rise from the dead to have a plate.
(5)Sadie W.
The Rosette Pasta is honestly the best thing I've eaten in a very long time. A MUST!!!!!
(5)Katherine D.
Best Italian food in the north end.. Period. The lobster ravioli is so delicious and they are on point with refilling your waters...very high end service! The owner is very nice and the waiters are very knowledgeable about everything on the menu.
(5)Josh J.
Talk about good food. No need to look anywhere else. Plan to make this a stop every time I visit Boston. Yes, its that good. Jake was great. Very friendly, quick and made the experience all that much more welcoming. I had the chicken marsala and my bf ordered the lasagna. Usually we will share but both of us enjoyed our dishes so much we had a taste of each others and hoped the other wouldn't ask for more. Ordered some cappuccinos and cannolis . That was also an amazing ending to a delicious dinner.
(5)Claire V.
We had excellent service and really enjoyed great food. I am looking forward to leftovers for lunch tomorrow!
(5)Adam W.
First off, the server was incredible - but unfortunately the food was mediocre at best. Would not return- better options in the north end
(3)Sylvain F.
We have dinner with friends in this great north end restaurant. Everyone was pleased with his dish, the welcome was very good and all for a price in the middle of the area. Recommended !!!
(4)Sadie H.
Love this place. We have been going here for several years and they now greet us with hugs and ask about our family. The meatballs are the best in the North End, the wine servings are very generous, and I have loved every entree that I have tried. Love it!
(5)Heather C.
This place was recommended to us by our concierge. The food was delicious. We had cheese ravioli with a meatball and eggplant Parmesan. The meatball was the flavorful and melted in my mouth. The ravioli was perfect.
(4)rochelle l.
I had been here for lunch and enjoyed it but never for dinner. The service is always, always excellent! The food is also excellent. Dinner and dessert were superb on a nice spring evening. The place was packed too. The entire experience was very beautiful. It was as if we were at a large dinner party with good friends, great atmosphere and wonderfully prepared food. After we sat down we immediately received some warm crusty bread and a plate of olive oil with olives, yummie! We ordered chicken marsala, chicken piccata and eggplant parm. Everything was delish! The chicken was very tender and everything else was cooked to perfection. For dessert we ordered lemon cake with mascarpone cheese filing and a hint of blueberries, cannolis and tiramisu. The lemon cake dessert was out of this world good! Reservations are suggested since people were coming in in droves.
(5)Dave T.
Great food and extremely good service. I was thoroughly impressed the unique entrees that they offered as well as the quality of each dish that I tried. I would highly recommend the Rosette pasta. I thought it was their signature dish. As far as appetizers, I thought the scallops were phenomenal as well as the meatballs. These two appetizers are definitely worth trying as I believe they are superior to that of surrounding restaurants. Definitely one of my favorites in the north end.
(5)Ralph O.
Authentic place, I enjoy restaurants which have service with seniority. The house Chianti is fantastic and they know it. The food is good, the vitello was good., and prices are a little high, except for the wine. Ambience is ok, not great. It is homy but not that cozy.
(3)Meg C.
When living in Boston a few years ago this was the place I used to take family visiting. When my mom was in town I decided to go back as I hadn't been in a few years. I had always remembered it as quiet, but on a Friday night it was loud and packed. I made dinner reservations but we were running a bit late and when I tried to call nobody answered the phone. We showed up about 30 minutes late and were still seated right away. The waiters were a little all over the place. We had one waiter tell us the specials and quickly hurry away. It was a while before somebody else came for our drink order. You could tell there was some tension among the wait staff, but it was very busy and there were several large parties. I ordered the linguine and clams in the white wine sauce which was delicious. The clams were perfectly cooked and the sauce was buttery and flavorful. I thought the pasta was a little too al dente for my taste, but I also usually prefer pasta cooked over al dente. My mom ordered the proscuitto and melon and it was delcious. The melon was so ripe and juicy. It reminded me of eating it in Italy. Overall this is a solid place. The food is delicious and while the service can be a little spotty it has a good overall atmosphere.
(4)Rob P.
This restaurant is amazing. It is exactly what you would expect from a professional and talented establishment. The service was determined meet every need, met all high end industry standards, and exceeded the benchmark. The food is classic Italian. Incredible. If you want real, homemade, beautifully prepared meals, this is the real deal. We enjoyed the carpaccio, shrimp and pasta in a tomato cream sauce and veal piccata. And of course, the limoncello! What a treat. We can't wait to go back.
(5)alison m.
4 stars for service!!! Clean, great service, good food, an amazing north end find. We had a ceasar salad - a little too much dressing but yummy. Chicken saltimbucca for dinner and it wAs delicious. Would def go here again.
(4)G Z.
Phenomenal pasta, the eponymous pasta is amazing. Be sure to save some of their amazing bread to sop up the oil/sauce. Mmm mmm good. I also liked the cannoli from here.
(4)Taylor R.
Limoncello's is the best restaurant in the North End! I have been coming here for years. The food is fresh and delicious. They gave you fresh cheese, bread, and oil at the beginning of every meal and it is so good. The food is amazing the veal parmesan and lobster ravioli is my favorite but everything is good and they always have great specials. This is an absolute must the staff are so friendly and you will leave more than satisfied!!
(5)Judith B.
Our experience here was ordinary at best - from the food to the service to the wine. We would try other places in the North End when venturing back to Boston.
(3)Jonh A.
Really great service we have spaghetti carbonara and lasagna bolognese every think come up very fast great place highly recommend!!! BIG THANK YOU FOR OUR SERVER!!!
(5)Don C.
Great place for lunch. We had the salmon and the house speciality pasta along with a recommended bottle of wine. Superb food, wine, exceeded only by the service. Highly recommend for a lunch that sets the rest of the day off to an exceptional start.
(5)Os H.
My favorite place in boston !!! So happy it's not snowing so I can enjoy a great Italian meal
(5)Flo S.
excellent food and service. off the main drag by one block, so quieter and more authentic. the restuaurant itself is a little noisy, tho. if they have the fresh mozzarella appetizer, you must try it! ditto about the 3 meatball appetizer. we had the rosette with the meatball appetizer together and that was a wonderful combo. the rosette is very different and very delicious. the waiter enhanced the meal with his excellent service.
(5)Dziabek A.
It is always a good sign if you are greeted by an owner at the door . It shows right away that he cares . The food was unbelievable , very authentic Italian atmosphere . I have tried buffalo mozzarella and seafood pasta , both very fresh and delicious ,
(5)Meghan T.
We were sent here by our concierge - she definitely knew the best place in little Italy! We had to wait until 9 to get in but it was definitely worth the wait. The restaurant is tiny but so are all restaurants in the area. The food was fantastically authentic and is run by an authentic Italian family. The owner's sat down with us for a while and even brought out his favorite dish, meatballs! I would highly recommend Limoncello if you only have 1 choice for dinner in little italy. I know we will be back next time we're in town!
(5)Ann Y.
This really deserves more of a 4.5 The .5 is only deducted because during my more recent experience they were out of our first 3 choices in wine. The crusty, chewy bread and generous olives are the stuff of dreams. And our sweet, hospitable Italian waiter was absolutely charming. You cannot go wrong with any of the antipasti--anything from the caprese to the sampler platter to the calimari will be fantastic. For entrees, the Squid ink fettuccine with lobster is to die for. Even simple dishes (lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs etc) were a hit.
(4)Anna D.
Food was great! meatballs appetizer delicious! Service very friendly! I really enjoyed!
(5)Gustav K.
The Fish was great!!!! The service was great... The expresso was perfect. I am in Boston for the weekend and you all should come here. Family place, family food. My only regret is that I did not have a meatball.... There is always tomorrow!!!!! This place is it!!!
(5)Sheri S.
Oh My Gosh! This is the best pasta I've ever had & this is lunch too bad we discovered Limoncello on our last day
(5)Sharra C.
After deviating from our original plans/reservations, we ended up at Linoncello. First off, when you have reservations in Boston, do NOT change your plans without making new reservations (lesson learned)! With that said, we nearly did not get a table. The owner was gracious enough and fit us in, and refused to have us wait outside for our table. First impressions? The restaurant was warm, inviting and PACKED! The aromas were mouthwatering. I immediately noted several waiters carrying plates of meatballs. I forgot that I was deadest on having seafood earlier in the evening. Once seated, we were greeted by our server. He was adorable! A middle aged gentleman, with a lovely Italian accent. My friend and I started the meal off with said meatballs. They were the appetizer special and three came with the order. They were cooked to perfection, and the sauce was light and delicious! I had the Chicken Marcela and my friend Jennifer had the squid ink pasta and lobster. Both dishes were very tasty and we were happy girls. We finished our dinner off with a luscious Tiramisu - it was slightly sweet, entirely creamy; with the right amount of rum. AMAZING!! I cannot wait to return and explore the menu! Pros: Great food, great ambiance, great service - wonderful experience! Cons: be sure to make reservations or be prepared with a backup plan
(4)J.R. M.
Good service and great food, Jake our server was on top of everything, and although I didn't catch the owners name, he made it a point to make sure everyone was well and not in need of anything.
(5)Michele P.
Started with an AMAZING bread with olives, parmesean, olive oil. Mixed green salad with balsamic dressing had a bit too much dressing for me. It's a personal taste thing, so I didn't take away for it. Meal was chicken wrapped around proscuitto and cheese. Was pretty good. The hubby had scallops with lemoncello. I liked his a little better! Lol. Had a cup of espresso after (saving room for dessert at Modern Pastry later). Overall, good, not "Outstanding". Service was as good as can be, no hits there. I would recomend this place, and would eat here again.
(4)Shir L.
5 stars for the rosette limencillo 4 stars for the black ink squid pasta Service 1 star, our waitress didn't seem happy to serve us. I had to ask for the menu while still waiting on our entire party to arrive (total 11) and she never came back after taking our order until cleaning our plates and giving us our bill. Gratitude was included and we split it between cards and cash but she didn't seem happy to take our money. What a nice long, dark haired lady.
(4)Diane A.
OH MY GOD! My favorite Italian restaurant...EVER!! We walked in for lunch and it seemed a bit empty (no idea why!) so I was a bit hesitant at first. We had the lasagna ragu and the pasta carbonarra and they were both finger licking good! I seriously wish I can get italian food this good at home. I think of Limoncello's often and definitely will be going back during my next trip up! P.S Service was great!
(5)John O.
Excellent food and service. You get what you pay for. Had a very enjoyable experience with party of 7.
(4)G U.
Food is alright. It is overpriced and bland, you can definitely get better italian food at another restaurant.
(2)Judith S.
Delicious meal with homemade pasta ribbon. And a few doors down from Paul Revere's house.
(4)Kristie B.
My husband and I stopped in for dinner just a few minutes shy of 5:00 last Saturday after taking in the Yanks/Sox game. The restaurant was nearly empty but we were told we could be seated even though we didn't have a reservation. By the time we finished our meal, the place had filled up so this is obviously a popular spot. After looking over the menu I asked our waitress about specials but was told it was too early for specials. So I ordered from the regular menu. Not TWO minutes later we overheard another waiter telling a couple about the dinner specials, followed by our waitress telling yet ANOTHER table about the evening's specials. I was LIVID but kept my mouth shut. My veal saltimbocca was nice - very flavorful. The vegetables were fresh and well prepared, something I appreciate. My husband opted for the veal parmigiana, his favorite. He said his was good, but he's had better. While the quality of the food was fine, I am not sure it warrants the prices. I am not one to be cheap when it comes to really good food either. I am not sure why we were told it was too early for specials when CLEARLY it was NOT. But it was enough to leave the kind of impression that stuck with me the rest of the evening. We won't be going back.
(2)Lisa B.
One of my favorites....If you get there early... the seating arrangements are better. They have a good red sauce, and the veal is one of the best in the city. Pasta is always fresh. The service is great, and of course.. their limoncello is a must!! Enjoy !!
(4)Fernando R.
Great place for lunch or dinner! Awesome Family owned business who really now how to take care of you.
(5)A L.
From the moment you walk into this warm and cozy North End gem, you feel like you've stepped into your Italian grandmother's kitchen. The staff will make you feel like you are part of the family. We tried a delicious antipasto platter for an appetizer. The bread was quite literally the best bread I have EVER had before a meal. It was crunchy on the outside and soft and doughy on the inside. So delicious I could've eaten a whole basket of it! They offered a number of intriguing specials, my boyfriend enjoyed the veal very much and I had chicken parmigiana. The cannolli's were incredibly fresh tasting and the filling tasted light. At the end they brought us some Limoncello which was the perfect nightcap. Can't wait to go back again soon!
(5)Jackie B.
Came here because of a recommendation from our hotel (Battery Wharf, within walking distance), the service was excellent as well as the food. Would be best making reservations on a Friday or Saturday night. The portions were just right and the food was true authentic Italian. Will definitely return on my next trip to Boston!!
(5)Jayde D.
What an amazing restaurant!!!!!! Took my mother in law out for her birthday and the experience was wonderful. Anyone who comes here you must try the meatballs so delicious! The employees are so kind and sweet this place is spectacular!!!!!
(5)Jennifer R.
The food is delicious, and it's pretty easy to get a table for lunch. The prices are definitely more than reasonable for the quality of food, but I would probably say don't expect a quick lunch. The service is friendly, and my water glass was seldom empty, but it does take awhile. Not that big of a deal, just something to keep in mind if you only have an hour to eat and get back to work.
(4)Kyrah L.
They seated us right away even though they were packed and we didn't have a reservation. The carpaccio and Rosette pasta were excellent. Last time I had carpaccio this good was in Spain. Their house wine. .I had the cabernet.. was also good. Their tables are tiny and require constant rearranging to make items fit on the table. I will be back.
(4)Mario P.
Those that give this 1 or 5 stars are not objective. As a chef I would characterize this as solid. Older gentleman server has probably been serving for 40 years. His detail description of the specials was helpful. They also accommodated my daughters nut allergy. Everything cooked correctly water and bread service spot on. I had a special stuffed pork chop. Moist and tender.
(3)Joe V.
Best Italian food we have had since visiting Italy! It was a bit of a wait even though we had reservations but it was worth it!!! Servers were friendly and very helpful on the menu. Even gave us a "little" sample of the Limoncello and it was awesome! Will definitely go back next time were in Boston.
(5)Jamie G.
The north end is a must when I am in town and this chose this place on the reviews. Made a reservation..really suggest you do this, it was packed even at 6:30. started off by giving us warm crusty bread with olive oil..and some olives.. nice touch. we ordered a bottle of wine, nice wine list but not many lower price choices..maybe something they should think about. We all split a plate of a=the meatball appetizer. They were so amazing...tender and just the right amount of marinara..I could have eaten a ton of those for my meal. I am a big fan pf linguini al vongole as long as it is made right. So, away I went to try theirs. Perfectly cooked pasta, great sauce and jsut enough portion...expect clams..There really weren't many at all for the price they charge.a bit bummed, but its all good, cause it was so tasty and the best part, is they really didnt rush us off the table once we finished. I will def be back when I am in town!
(4)Mani I.
2 stars due to a few issues: 1. My wife and I are vegetarian, and when I called in before making the reservation to see if they could accommodate us, they confirmed yes without hesitation. When we got there, they pointed out the sparse vegetarian items on the menu - I was expecting them to be able to adjust existing dishes to make them vegetarian but that was not possible. 2. The food that we got was bland, overall lacking flavor. 3. Service was okay at best. We made a reservation at 8pm and didn't get seated until closer to 8:30, right along with another couple who just walked in with no reservation. Waiters seemed too busy to spend much time with us, but were friendly when they did speak to us. Overall just an ok experience, very busy without the excellent food to make up for the lack of good service.
(2)Mohit D.
This rating is solely because the restaurant is not responsible enough to edit their address on this page or other locations. Do not google N St., you'll end up in the middle of nowhere. It's NORTH St!
(1)Dan G.
Fair at best. I was not impressed with the food or setting. First it was COLD in there. Second the food was not good, just fair. I read the positive review on yelp and had hope, but ugh not good. I tasted several dishes because I was with a large group and I did not enjoy any of them. They were not bad, just not good. The risotto was marginal (and I love risotto!). Slow service as well. And costly. I will not return.
(2)Anthony L.
A little more pricier than most of the other Italian eateries, but nonetheless, still very good. Their bread is unbelievably delicious. Service is fantastic but my entree which was the black squid lobster pasta was good but not excellent. I marked them down one star because the pasta linguini was a little hard and stuck on each other. Try another dish. Still, I recommend it highly as I'm sure other signature dishes are worthy of 4/5 stars.
(4)Herb Z.
This is a pretty decent restaurant. The service was OK, and the food was pretty good. There are places that are better than this in the North End, but if you go here, I don't think you would be disappointed.
(3)Jeff M.
I was here this past weekend by the recommendation of a friend. The food is good but cost way more than it is worth; North End prices. Trust me I don't usually complain about price. The special stuffed pork was awesome. If I had not ordered this I may have given it a rating of 3 stars. As cheesy as this sounds the house limoncello is excellent.
(4)Caree Z.
I would have given this place a really great review, but here's the run down as to why it gets four (I wish a 3.5 were possible): 1. Hubby and I were not dressed "appropriately" for dinner I suppose, if we're wearing polos and shorts. I guess that's why we were not given the run down on the specials. Same waiter didn't give us any indication that there were specials to be had. Not that we got bad service, just that we weren't given all the options. I'm all about options, it's why I read the entire menu. At least twice. 2. Sodas. I'm not being nitpicky. Our waiter took our wine glasses and filled them with diet Coke. A nearby table of 4 who had ordered a diet Coke got a large soda glass filled to the brim. Husband was not pleased. I didn't even have any of my so that he could have his fill, the silly thing. 3. Food was good. Rosette pasta dish was delicious, one can taste the prociutto and the truffle oil as you cut into layers of cheese and sauce. Husband's chicken parm was excellent; pounded and then fried to a tender crispy melty perfection. Not too much sauce, not too much cheese (hubby says you can never have enough cheese). We'll dress better next time. Maybe then, I'll merit hearing about the meatball and mozz special apps, as well as the fish of the day. Not sure if we'll be back though, especially with so many other tasty options in North End. It's a shame, because we were treated very differently our first time here about a year ago.
(4)Theresa M.
Ristorante Limoncello is definitely worth the trip into the North End! While there is an overabundance of restaurants in the North End Limoncello's is one of the few that I would make a special trip to visit. Many of the others are unfortunately not worth it. The restaurant is conveniently located on North Street which is one of the few remaining areas to find visitor parking. However, be forewarned if you are unfamiliar with the area that parking is always a challenge in the North End. Limoncello's has a wonderful feel to it, and you can tell that the owner Maurizio is very passionate about his family orientated and operated business as he is always there making sure his patrons are happy and helping out when necessary. The story of how Limoncello's came to be is quite special as well. In a nutshell it was Maurizio's dream to own his own restaurant. His family immigrated to Somerville from Calabria, Italy when he was a teenager, and he worked as a bus boy and waiter for 25 years. Then his break came when he hit a $5 scratch ticket for a million dollars! Personally, I think that is such a great story. Many of his family members including his mom (who still makes meatballs on occasion) and siblings work with him in the restaurant. They even make their own Limoncello liquer, which is my favorite! It is a must have for any dining guest. My favorite dishes are the Rosette Pasta, and the Lasagna. The restaurant is also larger than most of the places in the North End, and beautifully decorated with a lovely wall mural that reminds me of being in Italy. Limoncello's is a huge step above the rest, you will not be disappointed!
(5)Zet G.
I just got an email from Yelp that was titled "New Compliment!" It seemed odd since I'm lazy and don't think I've written any reviews in over a year. Anyway, I log in to my account and what do I find? A note from somebody called "Brenna B." in West Hartford, CT that simply reads: "For your review of: Limoncello Ristorante You are an idiot" Needless to say, "Brenna B." has 0 reviews, friends, etc. Stay classy, Limoncello!
(1)Mike D.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the North End. The service, environment, and food is impeccable. The setting of the space is very nice and quiet. It feels like a very authentic Italian restaurant. The wine list is eclectic and plentiful. This is a must if you enjoy Italian and frequent the Boston area!
(5)Sarah H.
Great atmosphere, food and prices! Awesome cannolis
(5)Mike F.
Went with a group of 6 big guys. Food was very good. Wait staff and chef were awesome we all had different dishes, Pasta's, Fish, Chicken etc. Meatball app was out of this world. i would put this place up against anything in the N End
(5)P S.
No matter where you go in the North End, you'll find pretty good Italian fare. Loved this place due to the "local" factor. Everyone seemed to know each other so it was more than just good food, the ambiance made it fun. They make their own limoncello so get a glass - it's good!
(4)Julie T.
A local I met recommended this place to me. It's a very discreet looking restaurant next to Paul Revere's house. I went during lunch and had: Eggplant Parm- I was prepared to feast on the breaded goodness of the eggplant parm that I am used to getting at the Olive Garden..was very surprised to see that it was a traditional style parm with no breading . Delicate stacked layers of roasted eggplant with a layer of cheese on top. Served with a light pomodoro sauce and large sized mac like type noodles. about $10 bucks Veal Parm- Large peace of breaded veal served with the same noodles and sauce as the eggplant ..very good. a little over $10 bucks. Total bill was less than $30 including tip (drank water ..no app's). This included a generous helping of fresh free bread and a plate of mixed olives in extra virgin olive oil. and the food came with a homemade minestrone (very good) In response to Terry W; I'm asian and thought the service was excellent. They had all reason to be rude as I used the power outlet next to my table to charge my cell phone. Left my Mike's Pastry box on the table and ate it for desert....surfed the internet during lunch and spilled minestrone all over the linen covered table.... definitely check it out...and hey robert de niro goes here!
(5)Norman F.
Dined here for lunch on a Friday a week ago. I haven't been back to the North End in almost 30 years and had a free afternoon. It was a rainy day and I forgot that parking was pretty much impossible in the area. We ducked into the first nice place we could find, and had a wonderful lunch. I had the signature lunch entree (can't remember the name) and my daughter had the Vongole Spaghetti, both excellent. Enjoyed a cannoli for dessert. I hope I get another chance to visit the North End and Limoncello before another 30 years go by.
(4)Kelsey F.
I went here with my 4 coworkers last Thursday night for our holiday dinner. I called and made reservations the day of with no problem. It's really cute inside. As soon as we sat down the servers were there to give us water, bread, evoo, and olives! We ordered wine and the waitress was always right there to fill us up. We were going to a show so were on a bit of a tight sched but that was no problem at all, the food came out really quick. So service I give it an A+. For an app we had tomato mozzarella over greens. The buffalo mozzarella was amazing - sooo fresh! For my meal I got one of the specials - the swordfish in a tomato sauce with capers, and some other deliciousness. It was really good. And I should mention that I eat hardly any seafood and it was only the second time I had ever had swordfish! I left feeling very satisfied and full! I feel like all of the restaurants in the North End are very similar but Limoncello definitely stands out!
(5)EricaLynn J.
A pricey but sure-to-please Italian restaurant with typical dishes from the Calabria region prepared with creativity and style. When you're there, make sure you read the articles framed on the wall about how the restaurant came to be. You'll be glad you did! Sure things: any seafood dish, chicken marsala, and their entire dessert menu. Don't worry if you miss it: the limoncello. It's not exactly a tasty drink.
(4)Joanna L.
I like this place, for quite a few reasons: 1. Location. It's out of the way of Hanover street - just enough that you don't have to deal with tourist crowds of North End - but not so far that you have to walk much further or feel like you're leaving the heart of the neighborhood. 2. Availability. There's always a little bit of a crowd - just enough to make you feel like you're joining a good dinner party, but not so much that you have to wait on the cramped sidewalks for 45 minutes. And they take reservations. 3. Food. A good menu, although I always get the same thing: squid ink pasta with lobster cream sauce. So good! Squid Ink dishes are hard to find in Boston, and other than the Daily Catch, this place makes one of the best. 4. Ambience - the murals are pretty, there's space to get to/from your table, and bathrooms are clean enough. Also, there are few restaurants in North End where you feel like you can have a quiet dinner - but this is one of them. 5. Owner and staff have always been warm and friendly!
(4)Chris V.
This restaurant is really great! We were forwarded here by a native Bostonian after asking for a recommendation for good Italian food, and we were not disappointed at all! The atmosphere was nice and relaxed yet classy, the food was fantastic, and our server was very attentive and alert. I had the lobster ravioli for my entree and, seeing that I love both lobster and ravioli, I was not let down by this fantastic fusion of flavors. I even cleaned the delicious sauce from my plate. The entree was just fantastic. The dessert was great, also! Keep up the good work, Limoncello Ristorante! Stay awesome!
(4)Gary F.
Second time visiting Lemoncelos , cozy,warm, atmosphere in which Antonio an a superb waiter love the italian accent. Very extensive wine list , consisting of many different reds which we love! The stuffed artichoke appetizer was thebest we have ever experienced. The veal dishes were out of this world, veAl was very tender,and cooked to perfection.the desserts were mouthwatering and to compjlete this delicious dining experience they serve us a complimentary Lemoncelos drink
(4)Heather G.
The issue I have with Limocello is that the prices and portion sizes signal an upscale Italian restaurant (like Sorellina or Carmen), but the quality and taste of the food would quickly disprove that. This place reminds me of a kid playing dress-up in his dad's work clothes. He wants so desperately to be like dad and thinks that he can dress the part and it will happen. However, under the costume, you are what you are, and people will soon figure out what's real. The difference is, the son playing dress up isn't hurting anyone...but Limoncello playing dress up is taking my money but not giving me back a high-end experience or well-executed plate of food. (As if it needed to be laid out for you at this point) the portions are small. The price tag is hefty. The food is mediocre at best (unremarkable is the word of the day to describe the pasta dishes here). I will NOT be back.
(2)Ryan D.
There are lots of venues in the North End that try their best to twist up classic Italian dishes. But classics are classic for a reason, and Limoncello doesn't mess with them. My girlfriend made reservations for us for a late dinner recently and, while I was concerned to walk inside and see the place chock-full, we were seated after only a couple minutes, and immediately greeted by our server and the maitre'd who offered some fantastic recommendations for both food and wine. Being one of the hottest days of the year, we didn't see a need to get too crazy with our selections. We got the caesar salad, a pasta dish and the chicken parm, each of which came quickly and at the appropriate temperature (that is, the salad wasn't hot and the entree dishes definitely were). The penne was delicious, the alla'abbaricia (I know I spelled that wrong) sauce delivering just enough of a kick to make it memorable, but not too overpowering to send us barreling for more water. The chicken was pounded to a perfect thickness and breaded just right, and the cool, crisp salad was the perfect foil to the hot weather. Was I swayed by the GM coming over and chatting with us for a few minutes, and by his bringing in a couple of puppies to visit the owner? Sure, but in a neighborhood full of eateries offering modern twists on old classics, I'll take an old classic that sticks to its roots any day.
(5)Rohan P.
Went to this place one late night after a crappy travel day. It was one of the better Italian places. I had simple pasta with tomato cream sauce and it was great. They also had decent selection of affordable wine. Wait people were nice and patient with dietary restrictions.
(4)Eric F.
Wonderful! The buffalo mozzarella salad is an excellent starter. We ordered the rosette pasta and the squid ink fettuccine and enjoyed sharing them as they are VERY different dishes- the rosette is very rich and the fettuccini is more mild and subtle. Both are wonderful.
(5)Katrina L.
Amazing food, and especially for the North End their prices are reasonable. Everything is delicious (biggest props to the Mediterranean lasagna and the chicken parm) and cooked to perfection! Extremely generous and sweet owners and staff...they honestly treat you like you are family, ok maybe not family..perhaps royalty is more applicable here. ;) Can't wait to go back!!
(5)Timothy B.
Went here for some good Italian in the North End. I enjoyed my chicken parm and my girlfriend liked her shrimp scampi, but it was a little pricey for some pasta with 4 pcs of shrimp. I guess that's what you get in a touristy area. The real let down was the service. Where we were seated was cramped and the waitresses were constantly bumping into our table. Also, our waitress forgot about us when our meal was done and it took about 20 min to get the check. She seemed to be paying more attention to the wealthy couple a few tables down.
(3)Keith G.
A fun local place in the old Italian part of town. Loud but friendly. Food was good enough but not out of this world.
(4)Rocket C.
Went with the family. Liked it! Going back. Limoncello is in North Square, which is probably the prettiest place in the North End, and one of the most charming "squares" in Boston. You should see North Square in the daylight; it really is lovely. The lemon-yellow awning makes the restaurant easy to find. The interior is nothing to write home about; we were nearly elbow-to-elbow with other tables and the decor is standard North End Family-Run Restaurant (clean, simple). Recessed lights in the drop-tile ceiling. No music, thankfully. Our waitress, as it turned out, was the chef's daughter. Service was very attentive, although the place was slammingly busy. Prices were reasonable for the amount and quality of the food. Stuffed artichoke was yummy; we also had the antipasto platter, followed by chicken piccata, pasta with marinara and meatballs, pasta with shrimp and creamy tomato sauce, and veal saltimbocca. Wine list was varied and our selection was very good. Complementary glass of limoncello at the end was my first ever, and very tasty! In a world of corporate restaurants, it was so nice to feel like we were in someone's family restaurant. The food was good, the service was busy but friendly and attentive. It felt authentic, because it was. I'll go back.
(4)Marlene F.
Despite having reservations, we were seated at the worst table in the restaurant; by the front reception next to the fax machine and other phones even though there were other tables available. As far as the food goes, I had heard so many good things about this place that I had to try it. Obviously the people that spoke highly of it had not been to any other Italian restaurants to have a baseline. Save your money and go to any other restaurant in the North End for a real taste of Italian cooking.......
(1)Lindsay B.
A friend of mine visited Boston with her family who were visiting from Calabria Italy and we took them here because the food was from their region and it seemed like a good fit. It was a great fit. The whole group (except me) spoke in their italian dialect with the owner and waiters, so they were thrilled and felt at home! The food was really good, and I've visited plenty other popular restaurants in the North End. My chicken dish was great and my friend ordered the Limoncello pasta dish with shrimp (I kept stealing bites!). All the italians went with the veal parm, all of which loved it and said everything was very fresh. One of the best parts about the meal was the bread served with marinated olives...yum. I'd definitely dine here again.
(4)Sarah M.
Went to Limoncello a couple nights ago and was not disappointed. I had the tagliolini with jumbo shrimp which Michael (the iconic Italian waiter who has worked there since time began) recommended and my date had the squid Ink fettucini with lobster meat. Both were very good, but the squid ink pasta dish was better (I hate it when I get out ordered!). But both dishes fade in my memory in comparison to the meatballs we had as an appetizer (isn't that a funny appetizer? It was a featured app.) It isn't even enough to say that they were the best meatballs I have ever eaten in my life. They were AMAZING. I will remember them for decades. I will sing about them. I will write journal entries about them. If I take up pottery, I will sculpt them. They were that good. Why not five stars? The service at the end was pretty weak -- we were ditched for quite a while and couldn't get coffee/tea, which was a bit of a drag, and the atmosphere, while fine, wasn't as charming as places like Carmen or Trattoria de Monica. BUT - overall a nice experience. And, oh the meatballs.
(4)cosette h.
For me, dining is not just about the food or wine, it also is about the service. This service was far below par with complete with a rude waitress. She began the meal by telling one of my fellow dinners, "I guess we could do that," when the dinner requested a different cut of pasta. The waitress' attitude was appalling. She was completely unchallengeable about the wine list and could even answer simple questions as to what was dry or not. (Many places list the wine sweet to dry or vice versa but this was even beyond our dear server's capacity) The food was good, severely inflated price, even for the North End. I had the five cheese ravioli special which was excellent and defiantly not frozen pasta. However, the table ordered the meatball appetizer and the meatballs are cold in the middle and had to be sent back. The bus boy was cordial and very helpful. He should be the one serving the guests and not haughty waitresses. We came here on recommendation, spent almost $300, and we will never return again
(1)Wendy H.
Honestly the best food I have ever tasted...Sorry Mom! Stopped in while having a business meeting. Waitstaff super friendly and knowledgeable. Every bite was so delicious! I will absolutely go there again. Prices very reasonable. Nice relaxing environment, just all around great place to eat!
(5)Stephen Y.
I went here with three friends; all of us are avid amateur cooks. Many times we'll go to interesting restaurants together and feel like the meals we get are good, but within the range of what we could conceivably prepare at home if we put a bit of effort into it. Not at Limoncello. We were blown away by both the quality of the ingredients and the care used in putting them together. Melt-in-your-mouth delicious carpaccio. Creamy risotto. Perfectly balanced pasta sauces. And a stuffed pork chop in marsala sauce that was so good I nearly cried in delight. The atmosphere was also wonderful. Limoncello has that boisterous, big Italian family feel. Also, the wait staff was very knowledgeable about their menu and how to pair wines with it. This is now THE place I take friends and family to in the North End.
(5)Johnny O.
had reservations here with my wife and some friends and their family. they all talked about this place in the past so i was looking fwd to eating here. well service was good, bottles reasonably priced . had the meat ball for app. it was tasty. broke it up into smaller pieces to share. my wife had the stuffed chicken which she liked and i had the special that night which was baby lamb on the bone.. it was good, very tender and juicy. don't remember what everyone else had but they enjoyed their dinner as well. i dont remember desert b/c i indulged too much with wine. nothing spectacular, just a good dinner and a good time with friends. will definitely come back again though..
(3)Karen S.
Went Patriots weekend from reviews and it was very good. I tried the Rosette Pasta dish, which was amazing. My daughter had the Chicken Parm, which she liked a lot. I was just bummed that they did not do Lunch Menu at 12 noon? Maybe because it was the weekend, but website did not state that exception. It was worth the dinner price though...I was happy. The bread and olives was super yummy! Quality bread is important when dining, it shows they care! Cant go wrong! Amazing service too, our waiter was a delight!
(4)Brittany S.
Off the beaten path of Hanover street, just around the corner on North Street, you'll find one of the North End's gems - Limoncello. My colleague and I were in Boston for work and were in search of a foodie experience without the headache of the long waits that often accompany the more touristy restaurants. We decided to head over to Giacomo's, but found that the wait was more than we were willing to tolerate. So we headed to Limoncello instead and boy were we glad we did. The Rosette is to die for, a must-have. I went back two nights later and ordered it again - it's that good. The wine list is decent, there's something for everyone. Word on the street is that the owner used to wait tables on Hanover until he won the lottery and used his winnings to open up Limoncello. Overall a great experience and a restaurant I plan to go back to the next chance I get.
(5)Dennis S.
I went to school in New York, I lived in an Italian, Jewish, and Irish neighborhood, I being the latter! =) So I know good Italian when I get it! I found Ristorante Limoncello to be just fantastic. My waitier was hilarious yet not to familiar. We even got a visit from the owner a Gentleman named Maurizio, ( also warm funny and very inviting) I had one of the best Caesar salads ever The Romaine was crisp and fresh the dressing was light and packed with flavor and just the right amount of aged parmigiano cheese, I also had the Pollo Francese, chicken was perfectly cooked, the lemon white wine sauce was absolutely perfect, not to tangy!! My date and I were treated like we were regulars even though it was our first time. I really like this place and the people there, so I will be back for more! To my new friends at Limoncello,(Ottimo lavoro Grazie! =) for all you slackers that means thank you great job! =)
(5)Craig S.
I liked the chicken, carpacio, wine, and the namesake it self the Lemoncello. Staff dealt with our 10 person party well. Owner personally asked me how the meal was. good experience - menus a little dated but its classic
(4)Lenny A.
While the food was ok, I had the fice cheese raviolis and it was ok, but very price forwhat you get, but to me the primary reason I will never go back here again was the service. When one of my friends asked about changing the tpe of pasta on a particular dish the waitress asked why she would want to do that. When I asked what wine she might suggest with a particular meal she said the white wine..........duhhhhh are you freaking serious.......ther wer 5 of us and we never felt so rushed in our lives.................Its is a restuarant that has to compete with many great Italian eateries in the North End .......So when yor in a competitive market you need to do waht.......offer some freaking decent service. The Staff was clueless and it was evient that they wanted the table......The peole at the table next to use had the exact same complaint. I will never go there again, I would rather go to Stregas, or Monicas, or Nico'sor whatever.............this place is over priced for the service you recieve........
(1)Nicole M.
this review is for the rosette pasta only - i had this dish well over 6 months ago and i still am thinking about it. dying to go back for it. TO DIE FOR!!!!
(5)Suzanne G.
Very good place to have authentic Italian food in the North End where every other place is an authentic Italian food place. Husband and I had a late lunch here on a Saturday when every tourist in the world was taking pictures in front of Paul Revere's house next door. Dang that Freedom Trail. It was a sunny lovely Saturday afternoon and we were seated by the large open windows with charming flowers in the window boxes. We had a bottle of chianti with our lunches; for starters my husband ordered the baby squid special and I had a small baby green salad. The bread is super good, chewy inside and crunchy outside. Main courses: husband had eggplant parmesan and I had the house specialty Rosette Limoncello. Long ribbon pasta curled with strips of proscuitto, and mushrooms and basil in a creamy tomato sauce. The pasta is wrapped to look like rosettes, get it? Really good. Great service, fake an Italian accent and I bet you'll get a discount.
(4)CC i.
I think this was possibly the best Italian dinner I have had in years if not ever. There is some tough competition out west too. We had the Rosette with truffle oil (I think that is what it was called, comes out looking like a rose) - it was amazing. I also LOVED their olive oil and bread. I wasn't crazy about the artichoke appetizer, but the other appetizer with imported buffalo mozzarella was great. Worth going slightly off the main drag to eat there.
(5)Vicky H.
Love it here!!! Great service, great food, awesome time! Whenever I come into Boston, this is where I enjoy going.
(5)Aaron H.
I love it! So good, nice hospitality, right next to Paul Revere's house! Food is the best. Personally this is my FAVORITE restaurant for dinner. Go there, you'll enjoy it.
(5)Monica M.
Love this place! Came after walking out of a restaurant around the corner. The pasta Limoncello is divine! My husband had the salmon and devoured it. Very reasonable and nice atmosphere.
(5)Jen M.
I'm still here waiting for my food, so I can't rate that. My one star is based on the following: we are seated, waiter says "there are no specials tonight." Table right next to us sits down minutes later, and the same waiter enthusiastically and eloquently reads the specials to them, including apps and entrees definitely not on the menu. Really??
(1)Beth B.
Great staff, friendly good service! The Limoncello was out of this world good--the perfect combination of sweet, tart, chill and smooth! The ricotta pear dessert was a nice pair with the Limoncello for a great way to end a meal or walk through the North End.
(5)Jason R.
We visited Limoncello in the Little Italy area of Boston this past weekend and thoroughly loved it! The owner of the restaurant and our server were genuinely happy to have us and they treated us like we were from the neighborhood. We enjoyed some of "grandma's" meat balls and their famous rosette pasta and it was all wonderful.
(4)Kristi W.
Limoncello gets a thumbs up for atmosphere and service. Their food left us wondering if we had just ordered all the wrong things. I have received lots of rave reviews for Limoncello from trusted friends and when I got the chance to go, I was really excited. We were a party of 3 and walked right in around 6:30 on a Wednesday night and were able to sit right down. The host and server were very attentive taking our drink orders and explaining the specials. We all had the Caprese salad and it was very enjoyable, with buttery mozzarella and fresh basil. I had the Tagiolini al Limoncello figuring that homemade pasta and the name of the restaurant in the dish must mean it's about the best of who they are. Sadly, I got a plate of strangely cooked pasta, some almost raw, covered in a greasy tomato-cream sauce topped with 4 large and overcooked shrimp. I think this dish has the potential for greatness if it were a little less heavy in the sauce department and a little more al-dente in the shrimp department. If there was arugula on my plate, I didn't see it. My friends had the steak special which neither said a word about. Later my colleague said that her steak wasn't particular flavorful and commented that the other person with us, who had gone home didn't say a word about her food either. I was sad that I didn't try some of Mama's Meatballs or the other classic dishes that were arriving at other tables because those people seemed really happy with what they had. We did share a wonderful canoli for desert that almost made up for the overcooked dinner.
(3)Erin B.
Last night, for my birthday, my boyfriend brought my sons and I here for dinner. It was fantastic and likely the best North End experience I've ever had. The owner greeted and seated us and was very personable; sharing funny stories about things that happened to him that day. Our waiter and the rest of the waitstaff were also fabulous. Just got a really good vibe there and felt "taken care of" with just the right amount of attention. The food was extremely good. Loved the olives and bread, which they kept replenishing at a perfect rate. Their antipasto is also delicious. For dinner, I had their squid ink fettuccini (i.e. black pasta) with maine lobster and tomato cream sauce. Very good! I recommend their house Chianti, but their limoncello is what makes me long for our next rendezvous. ;) The whole experience was delicious and the atmosphere was casual and fun, not stuffy or pretentious. It was absolutely perfect and I enjoyed every minute! There's something for everyone to enjoy - even kids (10 and up). Audible clues during our meal indicated that they loved every bite of their lasagna!! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Bryan R.
Ate here many Valentine's days ago. Can't say I remember what we had but the entire dinner was great. I was told to say hi on behalf of one of the owner's friends which I passed along to the waitress. A few minutes later he came over to talk with us and poured shots of limoncello for us. It was a really nice touch and endcap for the evening.
(5)Steve H.
Meh. I've experienced better. There's no Valet, and no parking. You're greeted either by a stout host in a poorly fitted suit, or the owner in jeans/blazer and pointy shoes. Both are pretty curt. My waiter was local, probably grew up in an Italian house, and pretended to speak Italian. He just pronounced most words in an Italian accent, others were pronounced in a Boston accent. The bread was pretty good, olives okay. The carpaccio was good and, but the smoked salmon didn't blow me away. The buffalo mozzarella was good, but tomatoes nothing special. I believe there was dried basil on it too. Only primo piatto we had was the rosette special. It was nothing special, fresh pasta rolled with cheese and mediocre prosciutto. Sauce was pretty good, but not great, and I'm glad they featured montasio cheese, but you couldn't taste it grated. I got the only chicken dish on the menu, rolled with "ham" and fontina, it was dry and nothing special. Other dishes didn't blow me away. We ordered the limoncello, seemingly the house specialty, but it just never came. Also got a tiramisu, and it was a premade frozen one. Definitely better places in Boston, and probably better places in the North End.
(2)Lisa M.
I've been here several times, but last nights experience compelled me to write a review. We had a party of seven. We took our time with wine and anitpasto. All were above average. One of the people in our party has a wheat allergy, and when we informed the waitress, she had many suggestions. Not only that but the chef came out and personally spoke to us about it. For people with celiacs dining out can be sometimes stressful. At Lemoncello it was very reassuring for her. Service above average, great for large parties!
(5)Darren S.
I'm still looking for that perfect Italian meal in the North End. Went here b/c of a local's recommendation and it was okay, good but not great. Lobster ravioli had no chunks or signs of fresh good meat. Veal chop was nice but sauce was bland and lacked seasoning. Marinara was fantastic and I should have ordered basic pasta. I'd go back for that but nothing else. Bread, olive oil, wine was all very good. Service was okay but not outstanding. We were charged for an app we never received. They took it off the bill no questions asked but the waitress never acknowledge the error or apologized. I expected more on all levels.
(3)Mimi H.
Let me start off by saying I was drunk before i even got here. Me and my buddy spent the better half of this day at Harpoon's Beer fest. On our way home we were all like "Let's go eat in the North End, Who the fuck is stopping us!!" cuz we're so bad ass. So he takes me to this place. Omg!! Everything as so good. I never wanted the food to end! The service was awesome and fast. At frist I felt like the place was a little too fance to just go without plannig but everything was just so good that I didn't care. We both got something cheesey with shrimp. The sauce was pretty good but the pasta wa sooooo delish you could totes tell it was homemade! We also got a bottle of wine and expesso. Everything was A plus. I recommend it for any special occasion... or whenever you're feeling bad ass.
(5)J T.
Can't go wrong with the squid ink fettuccine - amazing. Best Italian meal I've had in quite some time.
(5)Joey H.
Another great selection made during our trip to Boston. Walking down Hanover was a street of different, yet similar foods. Unsure with what we wanted, we were referred to try Giacomo's, but that place was full and the wait was forever. Another recommendation was Limoncello's. Between the two, I'll prefer both because they each have such delicious food. Italian food is so very much mouthwatering. The ristorante was nicely decorated and everyone was enjoying themselves. The only odd placement was the tv in the background near the bar, but I guess it's what keeps those at the bar stay and order more drank. I said drank. What I'll never forget about this place is Mama's meatball spaghetti, Markham Merlot 2005 wine, my small taste of limoncello (not for me), and the fact that next door is paulreverehouse.org house. Walking down the street, you could see the huge yellow Limoncello sign, you can't miss it. And yes, there's no parking, but lucky us, we walked everywhere and everywhere. Wait, did that sound right? Anyway, the scenery was great, the service was excellent, and the Italian experience was the best I've ever had. After, we were thanked by I think the owner of the ristorante. He looked so respectable and serious, but showed ownership and...it was something like out of an Italian based movie. Other than that, twas great.
(5)Sheila F.
Perfect, my absolute favorite North End restaurant. I've been going here for any special occasion since I was 16. The food is always delicious, the servers are friendly and love to get to know their customer a little bit and the owner is usually there on weekends just to make sure your meal is delicious. They only have a wine and liqueor selection but the waiter will usually offer you a free limoncello with desert. I've had everything from veal to chicken to ravioli here and it's always been satisfying. It can get packed on the weekends so make a reservation but at least it's not on Hanover street so you won't be surrounded by tourists. Definitely go here.
(5)Michelle K.
Not the best Italian food I have ever had, but a nice night out. I'm of the belief, though, that you can get a great meal for not a lot of money. Because of that belief, I just can't give Limoncello more than 3 stars. The night started out on a bad foot... 12 of us were dining at Limoncello together that night, and because we had such a large party we made our reservations days in advance. However, when we showed up, there was no where to seat us. We were told that a couple had been there since 5pm and were not getting up - it was 8. After about a half an hour, we were seated with only 7 chairs and the promise to add more once the couple left. About an hour after our reservation, we were finally all seated. I know you can't just shove someone out of their seat, but SHEEESH. OK, the meal... I had the linguine red clam - good but not the best. Someone outside recommended a meal with rolled pasta and cream sauce so my boyfriend ordered it. That was good stuff. If anyone speaking Italian recommends a dish here, get it. I've learned my lesson. The wine was tasty, and the night with friends was good, but paying $50/person for an average dish and 3 glasses of wine was not a reason to come back. :-\
(3)Lisa T.
My favorite Italian restaurant in Boston. The reason for that is not because it's "innovative", "cool" or "nostalgic". It's good, real, Italian food. It's the kind of stuff you can't get at a chain restaurant or local Americanized pasta place. If what you're expecting is chicken parm, spaghetti with meatballs and lasagna, this isn't the place you're looking for. The pasta and proteins are great, and the specials they have usually sound appetizing, so make sure to ask your waiter about them. Start the meal with cloth napkins, good bread, amazing olives, a glass of wine. Good for smaller families and dates. I came with a small group of friends and it was one of the most memorable meals we had, mostly because of the good food.
(5)Paul A.
Food was bland and appetizer tepid in warmth. Service was lousy; we had to beg for oil, they messed up one persons plate, and forget who ordered what. Prices are far too high for what you get and especially compared to other restaurants in the North End. I'm an Italian and the food was merely "ok" at best, if you got lucky and got it warm. The service? Forget it. Nice people but very slow. Took 45 min to get the check. Another 25 to collect the card. And $15 for 3 cold meatballs? Are they nuts?! Avoid.
(1)Kiki K.
I got the squid ink pasta-- except I got it as a frutti di mare, since I'm not crazy about lobster nor cream sauce. It was good. Boyfriend got that rosette pasta-- very good. However, they kind of make up the prices, at least for the wine and dessert. This is the kind of place where a waitress brings you a written receipt at the end...yeah just like takeout in Chinatown ha. Our bottle of wine was charged $10 more (which was corrected). The dessert we got was literally a wineglass of some kind of citrusy sorbet. In a very small wineglass. $8. Bottom line: good enough to try. The rosette pasta is great, but it is a heavier type of dish. Seating is actually fairly spacious for Boston standards. But definitely go somewhere else for dessert.
(3)C T.
Came here years ago for a graduation celebration. It was delicious! I had the Fettucine Al Nero Di Seppia Con Astice (aka Squid Ink Fettucine with Lobster Meat)- SOOOOOO GOOOOD! Finally remembered which restaurant is was recently? Will be paying a visit soon (hopefully!)
(4)Sean M.
Simply some of the best Italian food I've ever had. I live in San Francisco, but each time I visit my parents, who live in Maine, we go here at least once. My family has been going here for years, and we have never been disappointed. The staff, atmosphere, neighborhood, and of course food are far above par. You know you're in the right Italian restaurant when most of the patrons look like they just step off the set of the Godfather.
(5)Brie K.
Love in the North End. I felt like you'd invited me into your home and had your grandmother cook for us. AMAZING.
(4)David P.
Don't eat here! This place is just plain nasty! On a scale form 1 to 10 I give it a hard 1!
(1)Sylvia J.
Horrible service. Our server treated us as though we didn't belong because we were in street clothes. He actually looked at our clothes in disgust as he seated us. Every time we wanted a water or soda refill, we had to flag him down and then remind him two or three times to bring it to us. The food was subpar, nothing to write home about. The bread was cold and hard, like it had been out for too long and the chicken parm was something that I could've made at home, nothing special whatsoever. Overall, terrible service and food that is nothing above average but overpriced. One plate runs an average of $20 and on Saturdays, they only offer the dinner menu even during lunch hours.
(1)Mike M.
Average at best based on our meal. Very good service & outgoing waiter. A/C poor. Didn't have that wow taste sensation I was looking for; particularly after having an axing meal at Bricco the night before!!
(3)Jaime D.
So after reading the reviews this sounded like a great place for an anniversary dinner. I would say it was good, but the overall experience wasn't quite 4 or 5 stars. The biggest drag was that we had reservations for 8:30 and didn't get a table until 9pm (no benches or seats). I think 2 people came in behind us and they may have even gotten a seat before us - though I'm not sure about that. So, after about 20 minutes we decided to sit at the bar in the back. It's in an odd place, and you can't really see it from the front door -- it's definitely more of a "why don't you wait here until a table opens up" kind of bar. Anyway, we sat down, and they proceeded to put placemats in front of us, bringing us bread, and laying silverware. The bread was perfect - i was starving. But the rest of it had us confused. Did they think we wanted to eat at the bar? Hmm...i spoke up just in case, to make sure they knew. So....how about the food? The food was very tasty. We started with stuffed artichoke. Tasty, but i don't actually tell what the heck it was stuffed with. Then for dinner...i had, damn, I forget. It's only Tuesday and I forget what I had on Friday night. I need some Ginko. Isn't that the stuff that makes you remember? I forget. One more thing -- i almost cut my finger on a piece of chipped glass on the table. I have no idea where it came from since none of our glasses were chipped, but there was a tiny piece of glass that I almost cut myself on. I suppose they could have cleaned the table a little better. Well, I guess that's the review for now. Ohhh - we went to Modern Pastry for dessert.....excellent.
(3)James D.
This is one of the best Italian restaurants I have ever been to. Everything I have tried is excellent. The meatball special is phenomenal. The chicken parm is the best I have had. The service is great too! They don't have a full liquor license but the wine selection is excellent!
(5)Ashley H.
Where to take out of towners is the toughest decisions. Obviously, the North End is a solid choice. We tried this place after reading Yelp reviews and since we had some extra cash, decided to splurge a bit. We ordered scallops and meatballs as appetizers. The meatballs I wasn't a fan of, but that is pretty typical. The scallops were good, but nothing outstanding. The bread and olives on the table were a plus, and as it turned out we should have eaten more of it. I ordered the squid ink pasta with lobster and tomato cream sauce. It was really delicious, but I thought it was a pretty small portion size. My boyfriend ordered the pasta de Tartufo at the recommendation of the waitress. His was awesome (he allowed me one bite) but again, portion size was a bit weak. The place is huge, lots of room and that is definitely rare in the NE. The BF appreciated the breathing room, often a point of contention for us when deciding where to dine. Overall, this was a pretty safe choice, but my go to restaurants that are less expensive are a better option for my money. Probably wouldn't go here again, but it isn't a bad place.
(3)Aimee A.
Was recommended to us by a friend. It was perfectly placed...about two doors down from Paul Revere's house, which was the last stop on the Freedom Trail North End tour. PERFECT! We went over for an early dinner (about 4pm on a Thursday), and were seated immediately. It was not crowded at that time. Service was excellent - fast, anticipatory, and friendly. We were clearly out-of-towners, and we engaged in nice conversation with the waiters. My husband ordered lobster ravioli (he LOVES ravioli), and I got the signature dish, the Rosette Limoncello. It was suggested the kids get meatball spaghetti, and that it would save us some money too. The kids loved their meatballs (supposedly the best in the city), and hubby and I loved our own dishes. One reviewer said to go for lunch, because of the price for dinner. I would agree, but we were on vacation, so splurged a bit. No regrets.
(5)Cheryl L.
Unbelievable luck, found a parking spot in the North End. Amazing. Went to Limoncello to find it mobbed. As luck would have it, we did get a table. The waitress needed some warm up time and slowly got there. Realizing we were eating fairly quickly, she seemed to nicer. However, service was impeccable and once we finished and I gave her the Tip, she seemed friendlier to us. We had the Specials, a bottle of wine. Although the food could have been hotter, very good. Always go back. Very tasty and generally friendly.
(4)Kate N.
So delicious and fresh. My husband and I stopped in at lunch and had the Chicken Saltembocca and the Gnocchi. We could have licked the plate.
(4)Merv F.
Lunch today at Limoncella and had to have the Rosette Limoncello. Was not disappointed. Fabulous! Also had the Insalata Caprese as a starter. Best ever. Gotta go here. Love the North End of Boston.
(5)Jessica H.
I liked this place and here's why. - Very Friendly staff - Good food - Reasonably priced - some things are expensive but so are many things in the North End. Other things here are average prices. So my family was in town and I wanted to take them to the North End. As a vegan the north end sucks for me. I mean really sucks. Eggs in all the homemade noodles. However I read a review that this place catered to vegans. So we went there! It was a little hard to find, North st. is strange and we ended up going the wrong direction, but finally we found the place. It's not on the main strip in the North End but close enough. It was pretty empty - only one other table (not a good sign but so what). There were like 3 wait staff that rotated around, so we never really knew who our actual server was. I told the server we were there because I heard (via a Yelp Review) they could make me a vegan pasta. You could tell at first she was disappointed I read that review, apparently I'm not the only vegan trickling in because of it. I guess they usually don't have vegan pasta HOWEVER they sometimes do. And I was lucky. They had some leftover whole wheat pasta with no eggs in it from the night before. So learning lessons. If you are VEGAN and want VEGAN PASTA you MUST CALL AHEAD. Don't assume they will have it. The chef is real cool and will make it but LET THEM KNOW BEFORE HAND! So I told her to add veggies and do a marinara style and I'd be all set. She couldn't really grasp that they would be good enough for a pasta but what else could we do? Unfortunately she forgot the veggies but my sister got a side of veggies so I added some to mine. Mine did come with mushrooms and a side of capers. It was good, very flavorful. My sister got a Alfredo sauce with veggies which they don't usually have either but they made it up for her. She liked it. My boyfriend got a chicken dish with side vegetables and he liked it. My stepdad got the scallop appetizer with lemoncello and really liked it. He also got one of their homemade lemoncello drinks and really liked it. I got wine and it was good. We skipped desserts and appetizers so we could head over to a bakery after wards on Hanover St. The bread took awhile to come out but it was super yummy. They give you olives to eat with it. I don't like olives so I got a dish of olive oil instead. Overall the meal was good. But please don't read that other review and assume they are all set for vegans. As I said before out of all the North End places this is probably your most promising place to offer vegans something to eat but you need to give them a heads-up. Don't assume they will have something for you any night of the week.
(4)Monte R.
I went to Limoncello in the Little Italy area of Boston with a group for a work conference - was a referall by the hotel concierge. The ambience was "ok" - nothing spectactular, was not too impressed ambience wise. The food was ok - homemade pasta with shrimp was "good" but it was lukewarm, sauce was nice, shrimp were overcooked and rough. The service totally sucked - long waits on waiter to turn around orders and requests - just paying the bill took 30 minutes. No butter or olive oil served with the raw bread - you had to eat it dry. We asked for oil/butter several times, finally got oil 60 minutus later. These owners are "nuts" to run a business this way. Kinda crazy. Overall, it was an ok experience, but I would NEVER return. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else.
(2)Chris C.
FAMILY FRIENDLY, VERY TASTY FOOD, EXCELLENT SERVICE, AND WONDERFUL OVERALL EXPERIENCE!!! We traveled to boston on vacation and while there we wanted to have some great Italian food. Locals from the area point us to LImoncello! THANK YOU. What a wonderful dining experience! My wife and I were dressed very casual with an active 2 year old little boy. On a Friday night we were welcomed like family and received wonderful service! If you are in the Boston Area and want an Authentic Italian Dining experience check out LImoncello!!! ITS AWESOME!!!!!
(4)Bella R.
Best Veal Marsala
(5)Emily T.
Yey, no wait! So, we picked Limoncello due to the lack of a line. But, I was pleasantly surprised by the yummy food. I had the Veal Saltimbocca (overly generous portion!) and hubby had the Veal Parmigiana. Mine came with green beans, carrots, and asparagus. His came with rotini in a bright orange-red sauce. Complimentary bread was OK, but olives were AWESOME (I almost ate the entire plate)! Service with a smile. We would definitely be back if we lived in the area... A bit hot in the restaurant on an early Spring 80-degree day in Boston, but they eventually cranked the air a bit as the evening progressed (and the windows were wide open). A solid 4-star, and I'll try to go back on our next visit.
(4)Diane H.
I've had my first squid ink pasta in italy....then i tried again at another place in north end where the line is crazy...and that didnt live up to my expectations...limoncello was different. It wasn't the regular wine sauce, instead it was a tomato cream, and i HATE tomatoes, but ahhh how can i not try the squid ink here..i did and ah, it was delicious! The service was attentive, my glass was always full, they are really italian i think, the way they talk..act, just like people in italy. My pasta was creamy...not dry or al dente, which i do not like. AT $26 it was a bit pricy, but i will get over it since it was good and there was some lobster in it. If i didn't have a friend that was talking about it, or my concierge, i wouldn't have randomly come here... i'm happy i found a place with good squid ink pasta that i can go to in boston! I tried the bread despite a review that said..it was reused ..yikes! Since someone else said it was delicious, i don't care for it, it's not soft and the olive oil was just olive oil....
(4)lella b.
came in while doing a food crawl: 6 people no reservations on a saturday. seated immediately at the bar. we only had appitizers. antipasti plate: it was ok. nothing horrific, nothing out of this world. a bit on the skimpy side (we explained we'd be doing a pass the plate share the aps) but it would have been great for a small party/2 people. meatball: ok, 3 HUGE meatballs (think grapefruit sized). not on overly sweet red sauce. total fan. LOVE LOVE LOVE. I'd go back just for these. scallops: i'm allergic to them, everybody said they were fantistic. squid salad: i'm not a fan of the squid as food . ..but by the rate it dissapeared, it must have been good. bottle of the house chianti: fair price at 36$ cons: bar area is small (8 seats) beer wine only pros: good appitizer stop looked to be good for groups (several large parties) friendly wait staff
(4)Mel R.
One of the absolute best Italian meals I have had in years - maybe decades! Great service, very helpful and informative, nice atmosphere nestled in the heart of the North End. The food was everything you would hope for - authentic Italian with a true North End flair! Five stars!
(5)Rick G.
TERRIBLE. How it is possible for anyone to rate this place over two stars (on their best day) is beyond me. My wife and I are from the general area and well aware of the North End's status as a tourist trap, but we were in the area and needed a meal. Thinking we were 'clever', we got off Hanover St and went...to the restaurant right next to Paul Revere's house. No chance of that place possibly being a tourist trap - our mistake. The service, with the exception of one individual was poor. The one man that seated us was pushing wine as if it were a antidote to a poison we had taken. And the woman that filled out water and brought bread...like a robot (to quote another person's review). Not a word, just hands and arms shooting in from of our faces as she hurried to get back to a conversation with her buddies. The food...how is it possible to combine several different ingredients and have the result taste like nothing? Not having been here previously, I ordered something very simple, cliche', and that is done very well at, um, everywhere else: Chicken Parmigiana. 1) It was cold, 2) the chicken looked and tasted as if it had been cooked the day before, 3) I get it, it's Italian food, not French. Presentation isn't everything, but it looked as if the plate was placed on the floor and everything dropped in from high above, 4) The pasta. It is an Italian restaurant, and they got pasta wrong! I understand and like al dente. What I don't like is a mild crunch to my pasta, 5) Did I mention the taste? I actually lied when I said it didn't of anything. It tasted of cold, greasy chicken with the cheapest store-bought sauce plopped on it. My wife's lunch was marginally better (Shrimp Scampi), but thoroughly unimpressive. Neither of us got more than a third of the way through the meal. As a 'taste test', I went to a local pizza chain (Papa Gino's) to compare their Chicken Parmigiana. Hilarious - the Papa Gino's version was so much better. I am not one of those pretentious, self-proclaimed 'foodies', but I know bad food when I eat it and bad service when I experience it. LIMONCELLO IS EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE NORTH END EATERY REPUTATION - AVOID.
(1)Rick V.
The food here was absolutely A+ as well as the service. I had the antipasto appetizer that was to die for. Best antipasto I've had at a restaurant. I was in a group of 12, so we had family style service for that course and the next one, jumbo meatballs. Once again, it's tough to impress with something as simple as meatballs, but they pulled it off. Lastly, I had the veal Marsala, and even though I was full after the meatballs, I still cleaned my plate. You're going to pay top dollar for any place this nice, but Limoncello actually makes you feel like it is money well spent.
(5)Jenna M.
This is an old school Italian joint, where older Italian men can be found chatting in Southern dialect at the bar. This is a great place for a family outing or large party, which is harder to accommodate at all of the smaller spots on Hanover or Salem Streets. Limoncello serves up all the classic dishes with an emphasis on seafood. The squid ink pasta with lobster is delicious, and the lobster ravioli, made in house, is also great. The tomato cream sauce for these dishes is truly light, with just a touch of cream, as pink sauce should be. The owner/manager is very accommodating and the servers are also great.
(4)Jane C.
My partner and I went to the North End for date night because we're both big authentic Italian food fans. Lines were wrapped around the corners for places like Giacomo's and The Daily Catch (among others), so we kept walking. We stumbled upon Limoncello which was slightly off the beaten path. They were booked out an hour with reservations, but the menu looked impressive and we understood that we should have planned this better, so we decided to wait. It wasn't 5 minutes later that the host (true-to-positive-form Italian male) told us 2 spots opened at the bar and they were ours if we wanted. We of course said yes. Our server was well versed in the menu items, the atmosphere in the restaurant was quaint and lovely in itself, and the food was really impressive. We ordered the burrata and scallops for the appetizers, and lobster ravioli and seafood pasta for our main course. The best part about this evening, even above the food, was our overall experience. We're a gay couple. We were not shy about being on a date. This could have easily provoked an unpleasant experience by the attention it sometimes causes, be it customer or our serving staff. No one, not the customers nor the staff blinked an eye. We were completely non-unique, which was perfect. My main compliant was the wine by the glass options. They only serve 4 or 5 different bottles by the glass. each a different varietal. We ended up purchasing a bottle of their house sangiovese, which wasn't bad, but we also priced it at a $12 bottle that we paid $40 for. That mark-up seemed pretty extreme. Any other non-house bottle was marked up even higher, which is why we settled for the sangiovese. I highly recommend the restaurant for the food and atmosphere. Make reservations ahead :)
(4)Holly H.
If you go for lunch, be sure you get the lunch menu, it's half the price of the dinner menu.
(2)Emily C.
My friend and I came here for dinner after deciding it was way too cold for the line outside of Giacomo's. There was no line, and we were promptly seated. The restaurant was nice with dim lighting. The service was ok. Our waitress was friendly, but we didn't see her too much. There may not be a line out the door for this place, but the food was quite delicious. The shrimp scampi was FANTASTIC. I would even dare to say....the scampi here is BETTER than the scampi I've tried at Giacomo's. The lobster ravioli was great as well . I'll definitely be back to try their squid ink pasta. The table next to us seemed to really enjoy that dish. My friend and I also split a tiramisu for dessert. It was wonderful. It had a really great rummy flavor, and it wasn't overwhelmingly sweet. Very charming restaurant. Located a stone's throw away from Paul Revere's house. I highly recommend this place to anyone visiting the North End!
(4)Alex B.
Really liked the ambience and service!. It is a place to go!
(5)Lauren E.
I went here for lunch with a friend who was visiting from out of town. Limoncello is located about a block away from Hanover Street. There are so many options in the North End that can be hit or miss. This place was definitely a hit. It was definitely more spacious that most other North End restaurants. The lunch was fairly priced. We started off with an Antipasto Calabrese, which was a nice assortment of lettuce, cured meats, cheese, pepper and tomato. In my opinion, it is pretty hard to mess up an antipasto as long as you use quality ingredients. The antipasto here used fresh ingredients and was seasoned with just the right amount of dressing. I ordered the Chicken Saltimbocca for my entree. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal. Sometimes I feel as if certain North End restaurants mess up the chicken dishes - either too rubbery or dry - but not Limoncello. I would go back here again.
(5)Katie P.
It really doesn't get much better than this! We wanted to try somewhere new (to us) in the North End. After prying ourselves away from our typical restaurants, my boyfriend said he kept meaning to try this place so we did! Best decision ever! It was a Saturday at about 6pm so as you can imagine, it was packed. They still managed to fit us in without a reservation pretty quickly. It did seem like most people had called ahead, so you may want to do that. It seems like all of the servers work together, because one person got our water, another the drinks, and yet another took our dinner order. It was all very organized, even with all of the different people helping us. The bread that we started off with was unbelievable...so fresh, and it came with olives, olive oil and freshly grated parm cheese. I went with the stuffed pork chop special which was stuffed with Fontina cheese, spinach and either ham or prosciutto. I didn't know what to expect because I hadn't ever ordered something like that from an Italian restaurant. It was HUGE, perfectly cooked, and completely stuffed with filling. The sauce that was on it was so good I had to sop the rest up with the bread. I think it was some type of Marsala sauce, but there weren't any mushrooms (good for me, because I don't like mushrooms but love Marsala!). The side that it came with was perfectly cooked and seasoned green beans and carrots. My boyfriend got the Lobster Ravioli and said it was great, and the portion was bigger than some of the other places around. He was sold on this place the minute we got olives with the bread though! I can not wait to go back and try something else! This place has the real North End feel, you could tell there were many many regulars, and there was a woman in the back, right behind our table, that people kept going up to talk to. She must have been the owner or mother or something. It really just made you feel like you are in a family run restaurant. Love it!
(5)Charlie D.
Excellent Food, family run with old itailian recipes and afordable! Must call ahead for resorvations.
(5)Matthew P.
Great restaurant with the feelings of a good Italian family has just taken you in. Let the waiter or waitress order for you if you prefer a culinary adventure. If not, I suggest the lobster ravioli, yummy!
(5)Gary S.
We made a reservation for my wife's birthday on a busy Friday. We had an amazing caprese salad. My wife had a shrimp with linguine dish that was great and I had the veal parm. One of the most tender veal I've had the pleasure of wolfing down. The portions were not over the top so we had room to venture out for dessert. My only complaint is the food didn't come out super hot and the waitress made sure to tell us we must put our entire order in at once. I understand they need to flip tables but would it kill anyone if you took the appetizer order and came back 5 minutes later?? It was a solid choice and all the dishes passing by our table looked amazing.
(4)Mac D.
Service was really fast and the waitstaff was helpful as well. I had two giant cheese raviolis and a meatball. The tomato sauce was a little sweeter than I prefer and my meatball was only ok. The menu had lots of great options and I would definitely come again to try some!
(3)Ishani S.
One of the better treats in the North End, definitely get the shrimp pasta! Amazing sauce
(4)Andrea P.
Great little north end italian restaurant. It differs from others in the area as the portions are smaller but the quality of the food was very good. Our waitress was very friendly and accommodating to our group of 10, taking her time and not rushing anyone's order. The restaurant itself was clean and organized with plenty of space, as I've found some of the smaller north end restaurants to be a little cramped. Great food, great service and overall a very nice dining experience.
(3)Emily W.
The warm bread and olives were amazing. I ordered the Pressed panino panini and loved it. Very full leaving!
(5)Janice K.
Really, really good and would visit again in a heartbeat. Went on a Friday night (8p, make reservations) and they were busy. That did not remotely affect their efficiency. These folks clearly have the customer experience down to a science. Owner greeted us upon arrival, immediately seated us. We were promptly (and I mean promptly!) provided with fresh, crusty bread, olive oil, a plate of olives and a small bowl of freshly grated cheese. Our waitress was LuLu who later disclosed that she was the owner's sister. You MUST try the meatball appetizer: LuLu shared that this was her mother's recipe. Hats off to mama! I had a risotto and shrimp special and my companion had a sea bass special. Both fabulous. Wine list acceptable and we shared a nice Sangiovese. Finished it off with a homemade cannoli which was perfect with a crispy shell and cold, fresh, tasty filling. All service was friendly, efficient and professional. You can tell the the owner really, truly cares about giving his customers an exceptional experience. Great experience and I already can't wait till next time I go back. Enjoy!
(5)Sara B.
Best Italian food I've EVER had!! Service was quick and the meatballs were even better.
(5)Eric R.
For me, coming to Boston without eating at Limoncello would be like going to Amsterdam and not visiting the Heineken Brewery. This awesome Italian eatery nestled in The North End oozes with Old World Italian charm and serves up home-made mouthwatering dishes from the old country made from the freshest ingredients. In walking distance from a lot of other Boston Landmarks. Since parking is an issue you're probably best to walk if you can and reservations are pretty much essential.
(5)Angela G.
My boyfriend made Valentine's Day reservations in advance to Limoncello, as he knew that I had been in the past and had enjoyed my experience. He wanted to surprise me by taking me somewhere nice, as I love the North End. He made an 8:30 pm dinner reservation, and we arrived about five minutes prior to our reservation. My boyfriend and I were dressed nicely, but when the host took a look at my boyfriend with his longer hair, I feel like he was offended and treated us differently. There were a few other people that were waiting to be seated, as it was very busy for Valentine's Day, and they were seated before us. I am not sure if they had prior reservations, or if they had come in off the street, but we were told that we would have to wait another 20 minutes to be seated. He rudely told us that there was no place to sit inside, and recommended that we go to the Florentine Cafe for a drink instead and then come back. It wouldn't have been so bad if it hadn't been absolutely FREEZING that night. Every restaurant in the North End was packed for Valentine's Day, and there wasn't even standing room in most places. We ended up going over to Cafe Pompeii and had a glass of wine while waiting. We headed back over to Limoncello, and again told the host that we had a reservation at 8:30 pm and were told to come back in twenty minutes. He looked at us like he had no idea what we were talking about, or that we had been there 20 minutes prior. The owner came over at this time and told us that we could take a seat out back. We were put in this little holding area in the back of the restaurant and waited until a table was ready. The owner brought us a glass of wine while we sat out back in chair up against the wall. There was a small bar area there with a large television, which they said we could sit at instead if we wanted. We said that we preferred an actual table, as we specifically made reservations in advance to have a romantic dinner. So we ended up waiting an additional 20 minutes until final we were seated at an actual table. We were seated on the crowded side of the restaurant, and our table was almost directly on top of another couple, which didn't make for a romantic evening at all. Instead we got to sit next to a pretentious younger couple, listening to the girl gossip about her friends to her significant other, and when she wasn't doing that she was busy snapping selfies on her phone for her FB throughout her dinner, which was pretty distracting. The food was good, but nothing special. especially not for the price they charge. I have been to much better places in the North End for pasta dishes, for less money, and friendly service. The waiter came to take our dinner and drink order, and once to refill our wine. He never came over to ask how everything was, or to see if we needed anything at any point during the dinner. The food is decent, but the service is lacking which takes away a lot from this place. For the amount of money they charge, you would expect the service to me much better. I would recommended just about any other restaurant in the North End.
(2)John C.
Wanted to like it more, but couldn't do it. Called and made reservations a week before hand. Specifically told the woman it was to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. I followed it up with an email to the owner saying the same thing and asking if there was a special table they may have or a table near the window. We arrived a few minutes early and approached who appeared to be the host standing out front. Actually there were two, Mr Ponytail as I called him and another man standing there smoking in the doorway. He quickly checked us in and got us seated. The smoker literally put out his cigarette and grabbed our menu's to bring to the table(yuk!). We were sat in the main dining area at a table set for 4 butted up against the half wall separating the dining area right at the end. Of course my seat was right at the end where every person coming into the restaurant bumped the chair. Again, it was our anniversary so I rolled with it. The waiter (don't know his name because he never told us) went over the specials and asked if we would like some wine. The wife selected as she is much more versed in Italian wines than I am. He was back quickly and asked if we were ready to order. We ordered the Limonecello Scallops and Caesar Salad to start. He then told us we had to place our entire order right then because they were busy? REALLY? We had been at the table 5minutes and the last thing I wanted to do was rush through dinner this night. I told him he would need to come back then as I hadn't had time to go over the menu. He was fine with it and gave no attitude. We were given a nice plate of olives, bread and dipping oil. Some of the best bread I have eaten by the way! We finally placed our order, my wife got the risotto of the day, Porcino Mushroom with truffle oil and I the Veal Chop. Both arrived in a timely manner, but not to quick. The wife's dish was good, but just a tad undercooked resulting in a little crunch and a little too watery, but the flavor was great. My chop was cooked as requested and good. The sauce on the other hand was not so great, add that to the fact that I didn't find any black truffles nor taste them in the dish and I was a bit disappointed, especially seeing as how it was $39 and the most expensive dish on the menu. The place was pretty loud which is to be expected on a Sat night. However, I was hoping for a more romantic atmosphere for our special night. It is a bright restaurant as well rather than the dim settings I have grown to enjoy in the N. End. The waiter stopped by a few times not to ask how our meals were, but to top off our wine glasses(you don't have to go home but you cant stay here vibe). When our meals were finished we were asked by a young man who cleared our plates if we would like coffee or dessert. We decided to split a cannoli on his recommendation (good call). Our bill was then placed on the table before we were done. Now one of the things I had heard about and read was the "complimentary" free Limoncello at the end of your meal. I watched every other table be brought there glass to end their meal, but ours was no where to be found. As a big fan of Limoncello, I was looking forward to it. My wife told me to ask, but I told her that I would just make note on the bill and take that into account in the tip. While it was busy, it certainly was not THAT busy to overlook a common practice/tradition of your restaurant. Again, I am usually a reasonable diner who it takes a lot to put off by the service or the food. I waited a few minutes to see if the waiter would correct his oversight but it was clear he wouldn't. He glared over standing on his toes to see if we had place a credit card in the bill. I handed them the bill and it was back in under a minute. I added in his tip, a decent one and probably more than was deserved but not my usual generosity. I understand these guys work for tips and it wasn't that he was terrible, just not the type of service I have come to expect in the N. End. Again, the food was good but just not great. Not sure if I would go back with so many other options in the area. In fact, we sat at Ricardo's across the street for a drink as we had arrived for our reservation early and they had spots at the bar open. We kiddingly joked during our dinner that we should have just stayed there as the atmosphere and wait staff seemed much more engaged. My words of advice, never rush a customer no matter how busy you are. In the long run the tips will well cover that extra table a night you get seated.
(3)Mary O.
No stars! Horrible food. No one in my party of 4 was impressed by our food. The robot waitress didn't even tell us what the vegetables were with our entree. Spilled from the plate and didn't apologize, kick my foot twice which was under the table and didn't deserve any tip since other staff members had to refill drinks and get more bread. We do not recommend you eat here! Ever!
(1)Joe M.
My wife and I ate here for lunch. She had the meatball sandwich (ciabatta) and I had the Rosette Limoncello (their signature dish), a collection of interestingly rolled up wide pasta noodles with Montassio cheese, proscuitto and mushrooms in a tomato cream sauce with truffle oil. Both were very good. The meatballs were smaller but more flavorful than the meatballs we had the night before at La Famiglia Giorgio's. Limoncello and La Famiglia Giorgio were the two restaurants we wanted to try during our 36-hour stay in Boston. Limoncello is a fancier place, with white linen table cloths and napkins, and more interesting bread, and an olive oil & cheese mix to nibble on while waiting for our order. However, prices were much higher at Limoncello (especially wines, which had the traditional restaurant markup, whereas La Famiglia Giorgio appears to sell some wines at near retail prices). I think we made the right choice about going to La Famiglia Giorgio's for a family dinner and Limoncello for a lunch for 2.
(4)CB H.
We have been going to this restaurant for years as we have enjoyed their food, staff, and atmosphere. Sadly, our visit this past weekend will likely be our last. First, the staff was inattentive and one girl was flat out rude! No one checked on us throughout the meal to see if we wanted our bread or drinks refreshed which included a bottle of wine we had ordered (which was not cheap), a few beers and water. When we asked for more water, we got no verbal acknowledgment and water hastily poured into our glasses. Second, we felt extremely rushed to eat and get out. Food was ok and the busboy was waiting to pickup the plate the moment we finished and cleared EVERYTHING off the table. And as we were gathering up to leave, they started resetting the table for the next customers while moving our belongings in the process. It was busy the night we were there, but clearly they had no patience to wait to turn over the table until the customers leave! Lastly, if you get a seat by the door, they allow people waiting to be seated to stand right next to the tables while people are eating!! My brother-in-law had a woman directly behind him to where he couldn't move his chair. Overall experience was poor especially since we paid a few hundred dollars for the dinner.
(2)Debra B.
Update: came back again last week & I wondered why I was so stingy before. The food, wine & service is excellent. Do NOT miss the Rosetta!
(5)Soo K.
Our hotel concierge made a reservation for our dinner at this place. We were very surprised that the pasta came out refrigerated cold. Do they MICROWAVE their pasta? How could it be refrigerated? All the pasta dishes we had ( 4 of us) were not that good. The appetizers were OK. I would NEVER recommend this place to anyone visiting Boston.
(1)Vivi L.
I've been here 2 times and both times have been equally memorable. 6 of us came here again on Saturday night and we had 8PM reservation. When we got there, the place was packed. There were about 20 people waiting to be seated. I think everybody had 8PM reservation. I was immediately worried that they had overbooked the place and we probably have to wait for at least 1/2 hour to be seated. There is no bar area so we couldn't even hang out at the bar to get drinks first. After telling the hostess a couple times that we have 8PM reservation, he told us that they were waiting for this table to clear as there were a group of women who are just sitting there and chatting. They were done eating and just drinking water. As everybody was standing around their table waiting to be seated, they had no clue that people were actually waiting for their table. After 10 mins of waiting and this group of women refused to leave, the hostess managed to find us another table. The hostess was nice enough and he didn't want to be rude to kick those women out even though they're no longer eating. Our waiter came over immediately and was very friendly and helpful. We ordered 3 bottles of wines and on some of our choices, he suggested a comparable wine that he thought would be better. We were happy that he did that since the wines that he suggested was really good. We ended up getting the meatball, octopus ceviche, baby octopus appetizers, caprese salad, rosette, and the seafood risotto to share among all of us. Every single dish that we ordered to share was absolutely delicious. The meatball was probably one of the best meatball that I ever had. The Rosette pasta was also out of this world. We probably shouldn't have ordered so much appetizers as I was already full before my main meal showed up. I ordered the Costata di Vitello for my main dish. The veal cut was delicious and it was cooked perfectly. We ended up ordering the canoli and tiramisu to share. Both of them are equally good. As we finished eating, we can see that there are a lot regulars at this place. When you come here, it feels like you're eating a home cooked Italian meal. We were all very happy with our meal choices and we're still raving on how good the food was. I can't wait to go back again.
(5)Amica M.
Stopped in for a late lunch. The kind waitress urged me to order fast so I could get lunch prices and suggested their signature dish that was in Time Magazine; a noodle dish in a tomato cream sauce with prosciutto composed to look like a rosette. I thought it was below par, lacked flavor, and overcooked. And if it really was featured in Time Mag, it must have been in the 1970's. Glad it was a disappointing lunch, rather than a disappointing dinner.
(2)LBC G.
You can taste the love; Italian family food. Very busy but they got us in and served us beautifully. We had frutti di mare, rosettes and stuffed lamb chops; all were excellent. The meatballs are a must!! By the way, the chard and the San Giovese by the glass were excellent and the lemoncello was homemade and smooooooth.
(5)Mario P.
First time at Limoncello. I had heard good things about the quality of the food so I gave it a shot. Typical busy Friday night. I dont mind a full restaurant as long as people arent bumping into my table and me as they are walking by. Started out with the bread and olive oil along with a good sampling of olives. This was my favorite part of the meal. I had the beef carpaccio which wasnt bad. It was 5 thin slices along with a few strips of parmesan over a bed of arugula. Now for the main course: Frutta di mare over macaroni. Now im not one to complain about portions as I know its based on the the restaurant's business plan. I was given the option of liguini or ziti as a choice, both out of a box. The plate came with 2 shrimp that were hard and overcooked, a handful of littleneck clams, and a handful of mussels. The tomato sauce was okay. It was supposed to be spicy but it didnt have much of kick. The dish was loaded with cherry tomatoes, not sure why other than to make the dish appear like there was lots of food on it. At $26-27 I was not overly pleased by my meal. I have had much better at other North End establishments and I will likely cross Limoncello off my list of "go to" italian restaurants.
(2)Alan H.
Was excited to go after reading reviews. Sat down and my wife asked waitress what the "rizzoto of the day" was when she brought our bread and water. caught a nasty attitude with an "o i dont know". 20 min she never returned lol. My wife and I were dumbfounded. We left before eating so I will not comment on what I did not eat. What I can say is there was not a huge selection on the food menu and the prices on the wine list are triple what cost is. (Not only am I a wine snob, but I know for a fact because I was checking out wine spectator ratings while my wife and I were waiting on the "pay no mind" list). Was going to order one anyway, because when I go out to eat, Ill take enjoyment over price every time. We finally left when the waitress started chatting up another table next to us and once again did not acknowledge us. Luckily there are plenty of other restaurants in the area and we had a much better experience and meal at one of them. Ended up at Trattoria di Monica. Absolutely delicious :)
(1)E S.
Best Italian food ever. Fantastic Labor and presentation! Very accommodating even for the 3 yo in toe.
(5)Rebecca H.
Visiting the North End? Do not dine at Limoncello. There are so many restaurants with excellent food and service this is not one of them. Too bad the servers treat everyone like they are a tourist who has never eaten out before. Our meals were half eaten and we received the most expensive check we have ever had in the north end; having been to the area regularly over the past six years this is saying a lot. My vegetables were cold and fish not the fish I ordered. When I stated this to the server he literally lied with a story of why I am wrong. The bolognese was a joke. A positive: The olives were good.
(2)Kevin S.
We arrived at 10PM on Saturday night in the middle of a Boston blizzard. We had dinner earlier at a different restaurant, wanted to see the restaurant for a nightcap. The door was open, we went in. A waiter politely told us that the kitchen was closed. We asked if we could get a Limoncello and the waiter seemed unsure. The owner came over, welcomed us and invited us to have a drink with his group at the rear bar. They seemed to be having a drink before closing. This gentleman serves homemade Limoncello. Totally excellent and easily the best i've had outside Italy. He would not sell us a bottle but served generous glasses of this great Limoncello at the bar. It was fun. A nice room, excellent , varied menu, welcoming people and an actual ITALIAN staff. We will be certainly be back for Dinner.
(4)Jason G.
The best Limoncello I have ever had. Thats what homemade old country recipes can deliver.
(4)John B.
I wish we had one of these back home...oh man. So I was in Boston and my aunt wanted to eat here for lunch. So I said "why not!" Glad I did. Everything that we had from limoncello was GREAT! Auntie ordered the gnocchi ($12.95) but I ordered the eggplant parmigiana ($9.95). We also shared a caprese salad. After we ordered, our waiter (I think his name was Chito) brought bread and olives in olive oil. I loved it, even if it was simple. Then the inselata capresi (sliced tomato with fresh mozzerella and basil) came. Simple yet tasty as well. I was so stoked when the entrees arrived. The eggplant perfect. You just can't find anything this good in the bay area. This is right about the time when I decided to check yelp to see what they are known for or at least what people think they make well...yes i know...a bit late but whatever. In any case, people seem to like their meatballs so we ordered some. Unfortunately they don't start making them till around 4 or something like that. So we came back and picked up an order. At $15 for three it is a bit expensive. But they are delicious. I can understand why some people think the atmosphere is a bit cheesy. The waiters speak Italian. Italian music plays over the speakers. Whatever, I don't really mind. The service was excellent. Everyone was super friendly. One even gave us some suggestions as to which Italian bakeries I should hit next. In short: Delicious food, a bit expensive but worth it, service was most excellent, atmosphere is just a bit cheesy. II recommend that you stop by if you're in the north end. I will certainly do so if I have the opportunity to visit Boston again.
(5)Juno R.
so happy that I found this place... Was a little disappointed with most of the restaurants in the North End (mauricio's, Dolce Vita, Anna's). I come from an italian family and had a difficult time finding a good italian restaurant in the Boston area (moved here few years ago) until I found Limoncello! I had their Rosette Limoncello and it was delicious. My husband had the chicken marsala - said it was just perfect. Friends had the lasagna, chicken parm.. nothing but good reviews. Our waiter looked and spoke as if he came here from Italy -- was a terrific experience. I remember thinking - I better post this review when I get home --- just hope it'll be around for years to come!! I'll be back.
(5)Jennifer I.
Made a reservation here for 12 people this past Saturday. When making the reservation the lady was rude and made it difficult. I decided to go to Taranta who was much more accommodating. After having canceled my reservation at Limoncello, I received a call to confirm at 4pm and then at 6pm. I had picked up the 6pm call and explained to the man that I thought I had cancelled my reservation and he proceeded to scold me saying "everyone says that they cancelled and that I should have called earlier". After getting an earful, I hung up on this man. Meanwhile Taranta confirmed with my husband much earlier in the day and was a great experience. Based on the rude customer service I received from this restaurant, I will not be a future customer.
(1)Brittany H.
When on vacation with my dad in Boston, we decided to go to a nice dinner for my his birthday before I left town. We decided on Limoncello. This place did not disappoint! The ambiance of the restaurant was very warm and inviting, perfect for a nice dinner. As a former waitress, I'm usually very critical about the service in restaurants, and was pleasantly surprised to have a little Italian man as our waiter, who was as informative as he was cute & charming. Per his recommendation, we started with the Scallops Limoncello, which was made with their homemade limoncello--yum! It was not only delicious, but cooked perfectly as well. For dinner I had the Rosette pasta, which was in a truffle cream sauce and it is a must have for any truffle lover. You could actually taste the truffles (unlike other truffle pastas I've had) and there was a good amount of prosciutto in the pasta as well. My dad had the steak pizzaiola, which was also delicious and cooked exactly as he ordered it. We also had the house Pinot Grigio, which was pretty affordable for a bottle of wine. We were a bit skeptical, but it ended up being the perfect combo of dry & sweet, and we both loved it. The best part of my experience happened after dinner, when the waiter surprised my dad with a birthday dessert- tiramisu, which was to die for! The owner's mother even came over to wish my dad a happy birthday, and we quickly figured out where the delicious Italian recipes came from! Limoncello was amazing and I don't have a single complaint. We will def be returning!
(5)Lorraine F.
I had a business dinner to arrange, and this is where I brought my guests. The food was simply amazing. The chef decided to prepare a tasting menu for us, and we were all simply impressed. The seating was comfortable, and the temperature in the restaurant was just right. (I usually get cold in restaurants, but they have heaters near the windows.) The server was really attentive and kept bringing us wines and dishes to try.
(5)Shawn W.
food and service was fantastic. Came on a saturday afternoon, no reservations. Had caeser salad and chicken parm. Both outstanding. Would highly recommend. Pricing very reasonable
(5)Alex R.
WOW!!! Having spent part of my childhood living in Italy I was used to authentic Italian food. But this place was amazing. The best tasting italian food I have had in my life. I have come back about 8 times since my first visit but only now signed up to yelp and have to write about this place. The Lobster Ravioli is fantastic. The Roseti (Pasta with procuto wrapped into it) is amazing. The Scalops Limocello melts in your mouth. In short the food is great. The service ahs always been superb and the place itself is cute and inviting. Highly Highly Recommend it!!!
(5)Michael P.
If you're in the North End of Boston make sure you stop in for dinner at Limoncello. The staff is very friendly and makes the experience even better. We sampled pretty much everything on the menu and the two things that stood out the most to me was the Swordfish and the Sea Bass. If your not in the mood for fish try the veal it was just as good. Make sure you have a glass of red or white wine nearby as well. Plus the formaggio was excellent. When you're done make sure you stay for an espresso and a shot of limoncello with your gelato. If your in Boston looking for a great dinner go to Limoncello's. And if he's there make sure to say "Hi!" to Armando, everyones favorite North End neighbor! Buon Appetito!
(5)Alessandra H.
Corrado took very good care of us, as always... We all enjoyed our meals, my favorite were the rosette and the veal saltimbocca! Delicious!
(4)Elke H.
We had a lovely family meal there. We were a party of nine, including 2 children and we had made a reservation. The Yelp heading says it isn't good for kids, so we were a little concerned about bringing a three year old and a five year old. It is true that they don't have a kids' menu, but they served plain penne with cheese which both kids liked a lot. The restaurant staff was exceptionally friendly and accommodating. The three year old had to make several trips to the bathroom and after about the 4th trip, a manager (not really sure what his position is) offered to show them something more interesting than the restrooms, so they got a tour of the kitchen! More importantly, the food was delicious! Several of us had the rosette, which was excellent. We shared some cannoli for dessert- scrumptious! We will definitely go back to this restaurant. With good food, attentive service and friendliness to children, it was a wonderful evening out.
(5)Martha D.
Went to this restaurant for lunch on the recommendations of the other Yelp users. We loved the atmosphere. They had all the windows open wide and it was like sitting outside but we were actually inside. Food was good. I had the Veal Parm, veal was a bit tough but still good. Fast and efficent service, clean, very reasonably priced, charming atmosphere. Parking was tough but we eventually found a free spot on Hanover Street.
(4)C. N.
In case you were curious, the food at nearly every single restaurant in the North End is exactly the damn same: competent but not especially memorable Italian classics with entrees in the $20-$35 price range. That means that the only ways these places can distinguish themselves is via host experience (i.e is it a complete PITA to get seated,) table service and space in your table setting, and most do, negatively. Limoncello was just fine on the latter three, which helps their score. To their credit, they seated seven of us with alacrity on a busy night. And in keeping with every single North End restaurant, it was well overpriced for what it actually delivered.
(3)Lola M.
this place is SO unoriginal. i think Macaroni Grill has a better menu and it would have been much tastier and half the price. everything we had was pretty generic and i would never go back - not even for a free meal. the risotto was runny, my husband's veal parmesan came with a side of cheap pasta and what looked like store bought sauce. big disappointment. i suggest Piatinni on Newbury if you want delicious and innovative food.
(1)Melissa C.
This was a great little gem off Hanover in the north end. The food was great, easily as good as the Hanover Street restaurants at a significantly lower price. We had a great waiter, good wine selections, and an all around lovely time. I would definately go back.
(5)Stellina M.
Great original and authentic Italian in the North End. Prices are reasonable, food is great and service and ambiance are perfect. Everybody knows the story of how it started! Just meet the protagonists, they are always there.
(4)Russ S.
Went Saturday night for my wife's birthday. Fantastic. Best meal I have had in the North End so far. My wife had the veal saltimboca, which she has tried at many other restaurants. She eats veal pretty often. She says this was the best veal she has ever had in her life, without question. I had the fruitti de mare which was fantastic. My daughter had the lobster raviolis with vodka sauce...incredible. My son had the fettucini de Nero with the home made squid inl noodles...so good. Wait staff was extremely busy, but very attentive. Prices were average for the North End. Portions were average. BUT, I'd rather have an average portion of amazing food, than a giant plate full of average food, which does happen at certain North End restaurants. And to hear our waiter sing Happy Birthday in his deep baritone voice with the heavy Italian accent just topped off the entire night.
(5)Julie R.
My family and I made last-minute reservations on a Saturday night (our hotel concierge recommended it) and Limoncello completely exceeded our expectations. It's got a nice and comfortable atmosphere, in addition to being in a great location in North End (just down the street from Paul Revere's house). The food was amazing. From the bread and olives they put on the table the moment you sit down, to that day's meatball appetizer special, to all of the pasta selections, to the limoncello at the end--we were pleased every step of the way. The service was great and everything tasted very fresh. Given the portions, location, service, quality, etc., I thought this was very affordable. I've already recommended this restaurant to friends and can't wait to go back. Double thumbs up.
(5)Peter K.
Fantastic food, excellent service. I had pasta vongole and it was so tasty. I love this place.
(5)Lynda M.
My husband and I dined here for my birthday. It was the long holiday weekend, so the city was busy, not not like a normal Saturday night in the North End. The dining room is small, and most of the larger tables were empty. We were seated next to another couple, unfortunately close enough to hear eveything they were saying. I know the North End is not known for its large dining rooms, so we ordered drinks and food, and luckily the couple eventually left. The house pinot noir was delicious, and we enjoyed the fresh bread and olives. My husband loved his Chicken Marsala, and I enjoyed the special, Risotto with lima beans and scallops. Our waiter, an older Italian gentleman was friendly and helpful. We always had fresh water, and I was even surprised with a birthday dessert (frozen Tiramisu) with a candle. As I visited the ladies room in the back of the restaurant, I noticed a small, empty bar with a TV. My husband and I decided next time we would rather sit there, where there was more privacy and space. All in all a nice experience, and we will return to eat at the bar, or to dine with friends because the larger tables were definitely more private.
(4)Jak K.
We try to hit this restaurant whenever we come to Boston. This trip it was not as good as in the past. The highlights were two fold. First Lino, the brother of the owner who hangs out there but doesn't work bought us a glass of wine while we waited at the bar. Second, my wife and I had two different salads with mozzarella cheese. She had a caprese and I a tomato, mozzarella and mixed greens. To my pleasant surprise and their credit they used two vastly different mozzarella's. It proves they are trying to be a first class restaurant. Her risotto was excellent and way more than one person could eat. My pomodora was ok and the meatballs were ok. Again the portion was overly generous and the pasta itself was perfect The service was pushy because they were very busy. Too busy to have a relaxed meal. We will come back again when they aren't so busy because I really like the place and the people. Worth a try but make a reservation and still be prepared to wait. The house made limoncello is excellent. Every other trip here I would have rated Limoncello a four.
(3)Closson M.
This was authentic italian. Including waitstaff, which was great. Reasonable pricing as well. Veal Saltimbocca was best I ever had. Wifes pasta dish...rose something, was fabulous.
(5)Reba R.
not impressed. not a very intimate setting. the food was bland. i had the lobster ravioli with a cream based sauce. sounds delicious, but didn't hold up to it's name. the house wine wasn't the best. the bread and olive oil that they bring out were bland as well. cheesy looking place that i won't be going back to .
(2)Amanda G.
I went here for my birthday a year ago, and I really enjoyed it. The service was great; our waiter was very friendly and funny. I loved the menu, and the food was delicious (especially the seafood). It wasn't too overpriced either.
(4)Dan G.
Not your normal cheese ravioli with bland red sauce. This is good, authentic, rich food. Amazing stuff and some of the best ive had so far.
(4)Brian K.
One of fav go-to's in the north end.. food and service always very consistent. the owner is a nice guy who make sure he takes care of everyone. our waiter the other nite was great and recommended some good wine. also brought us some limoncello after dinner. wine list is a bit pricey, but the entrees are reasonable. my fav is the veal saltimbocca. it is unreal w fontina cheese and wine sauce. It seems like so many places in the north end are hit or miss depending on the night. this place will not disappoint.
(4)Presha C.
So the food is amazing, the waitstaff is great, but my favorite thing that completely sealed the deal is the birthday cupcake. My friends told the waiter it was my birthday, so when we finished our dinner, out comes a singing waiter with the most delicious cupcake I've ever had. This thing had ice cream and lots of deliciousness inside. Seriously, my meal could have been terrible and it wouldn't have mattered because this cupcake was awesome. So if you go there, pretend it's your birthday!
(4)Toonie R.
This is just about our favorite North End restaurant. True, we haven't tried every single one, but every time we go someplace else (because of reviews posted on a door, or because our out-of-town guests say, "Oh let's try this one" while we're on the way taking them to Limoncello's), we've regretted it. I'm surprised at some other negative reviews, because nothing I've had there has ever tasted like it was store-bought. Everything has been scrumptious and authentic. I have travelled quite a bit in Italy, and know what the food should taste like. I've found the service to be friendly and attentive. Two little things will tip you off about the quality of a North End restaurant -- the quality of the olive oil and bread they bring (here the olive oil is very good and has real live olives in it) and the ragu (try the lasagna - oh yum! - NOT your typical American Italian lasagna by any stretch).
(5)Jay and Jenn O.
We are usually not fans of North End places and this place is the reason why- overpriced small portion food. I like "family style" places better.
(2)Stephanie W.
Awful! Never even ate there. We waited 30 minutes past our reservation as they seated 16 people who came after us (in groups of 4 or more) because they make more money from 4-tops than from a couple. Then the owner was bad-mouthing the hostess, even though he told her to seat the larger groups first. So unprofessional. Finally left and had a great dinner around the corner at Vinoteca di Monica.
(1)Colin B.
Stopped here on recommendation of the concierge at our hotel- the dish she told us was a must have was not yet ready (meatballs) as they prepare them fresh each day around 5 or 5:30. Okay, no problem- we just ordered something else to take-out as my travelling partner wanted to beat the rush hour back home. I ordered the spaghettini, and was really let down. I live in Halifax NS, which isn't exactly an Italian food mecca, yet I have had consistently more inspired dishes than this one there. The pasta/sauce ratio was about 5:1, there was hardly any flavor to the drop of sauce that was provided, and there were no vegetables or meat in the sauce. The owner/manager arrived midway through waiting for my meal and started barking grumpily at staff and was very brusque with me when I asked a question about the history of the place. I'd be willing to give them a second chance on a return dine-in visit, but I'd be sure to tell them upfront about the bad experience and that I'd best be wowed.
(1)susan l.
On a quiet Monday evening (March 21) we decided to try Limoncello Restaurant. Have heard about it but always headed to Hanover Street. Never Again will I go to Hanover Street. Our waitress was a very intelligent woman, who in our opinion should be management. She suggested to let her decide what we were going to eat and 5 for 5 we had the best meal and service we EVER had in Boston. Antipasto so fresh, pasta course was signature rosette, she made combo of sea bass and veal saltimbocca and although the desserts lacked she suggested choc hazlenut gelato with a little frangelico on it. made a simple dessert exotic! We do not drink but she even coaxed us into a bottle of wine. Thank you Limoncello for a wonderful evening. Can't wait to go back!! she also told us about the validated parking at Haymarket which no one advertises. It cost us $3.00 for 3 hours!!
(5)Seafoodie R.
Maurizio Badolato who founded this place won a million bucks on a scratch ticket and used his winnings to open a restaurant! Excellent! the Fruitti De Mare is delicious if you like your pasta loaded up with seafood! Mussels, littlenecks, two perfectly cooked jumbo shrimp and two baby octopus over a bed of spaghetti. We ordered this with white sauce rather than the standard red. The Vongole pasta (white clam sauce) is excellent, it's simple, clammy and delicious. They use fresh clams and don't pair them up with canned (lots of restaurants do this and ruin the dish) there were about 6 or 8 littlenecks with a nice light, mildly buttery clammy sauce... the Antipasto was a decent start to the meal and came with two large slices Proscuitto, 4 slices of sopressatta, a large roasted stuffed pepper, a vinegary shredded pickled pepper and a two thick slices of Italian sharp cheese. Wine is resonably priced, had a nice bottle of Pinot Grigio (Umbria) for $38, and finished the meal with Grappa!
(4)Megan M.
I was there recently for my cousin's birthday celebration. The food was tastey - I had the 'special' Monkfish and my cousin enjoyed her Lobster Ravioli. Be sure to make a reservation because they made me feel like I was crazy when I showed up before the rest of the group and we didn't have reservations. Meanwhile, there were at least 5 open tables. So not the best customer service on that end...
(3)Kiki B.
not bad, but pretty mediocre. for $35 each (including wine), you'd expect, i don't know, parmesan that's grated at the table or at least looks relatively fresh, rather than a huge bowl of the Kraft variety plopped down with a metal teaspoon with which to serve. some portions were huge, like the veal parmigiana, others were not so huge, like the chicken. i'm sure there are better places around.
(3)d d.
We are SO over the North End. No parking, long lines, and menus that are wicked repetitive make for a tiring night where all you really get is full. No more! We finally found a North End restaurant worth the drive and wait. First of all and perhaps most importantly, they offer rosetti on their regular menu - which I cannot spell with confidence, but I can eat it with abandon. We haven't seen this in too many places, and at Limoncello they've perfected it. (It's quite rich and works nicely as a shared appetizer.) Our other meals have also been very nice. Our meats have been cooked perfectly, the pasta specials have always been an original (and seasonal) twist on old standards, and our fishes have been flavorful and memorable. The first time we went, my husband ordered the veal special. I had a taste of it, as I always do when he orders veal, and I always turn up my nose at it and happily return to my own dish. But, when I tried his veal at Limoncello, I considered asking him to return to the car because I'd forgotten something so that I could gobble it up in his absence. There are a few negative reviews here. I suppose with any restaurant, you get a bad night or an unhappy diner. And there really is a lot of boring Italian in the world. But the last time we went to Limoncello's with the whole family, I tried the kids' spaghetti and meatballs, and I'm not gonna lie to you... even that was impressive.
(4)Marybeth P.
Went to Limoncello Restaurant while Visiting Colleges last weekend..I must say the food was good but will not go back due to the service of our waitress... She was obviously annoyed with our mere presence..we did not know initially they did not have a liquor license and she was very annoyed we did not order wine or beer...she was probably a pretty 40 something woman but we couldn't tell by the constant scowl on her face...another server served our food and a busboy removed our plates and she never returned till it was time for the check...I would have rather given the tip to our very attentive busboy...will not go back..there are too many other great friendly Italian places in the North end to try...
(1)Shelby D.
Service was excellent although somewhat rushed, food was delicious and staff were wonderful, authentic, friendly, and polite. Great house sangiovese too! Try the lobster ravioli, but make sure you save some bread to soak up the yummy red cream sauce!
(4)Terry W.
Oh well, not good service. Food was ok, not worth the prices. Would have been better off going to maggianos. Uncleaned shrimp, plates slopped with food, etc.... I should have forced my wife to returnto cantina italiana. Seem to not like Asians, as we waited a long time and everyone around us was being served...hoping it was just an off day, but I'll never find out as I'm staying away.
(1)Jennifer S.
Almost afraid to give this place a 5-star rating because I love it so much and don't want it to become too busy! This place not only has the best Italian food anywhere in Boston, but the atmosphere is authentic and wonderful for business meetings or a romantic night out. The staff is actually Italian, which is becoming less common in the North End. Try the pork chop, it is not on the menu, but it is always a special.
(5)Mark H.
I was in Providence, R.I., recently and took the commuter rail up to Boston for a day, during which I had lunch here with a couple of friends who live in Boston. The meal started with really delicious bread, after which I had the veal parmagiana, which was excellent and, at $15 (the lunch menu on the webpage says $13, but I seem to recall it being $15, although I may be wrong about this), quite reasonably priced. (The dinner menu is a bit more expensive, by the way.) One of my friends had the veal saltimbocca, which he enjoyed, and the other had a panini, which was so huge that she took half home; she really enjoyed it too. My veal came with pasta; my friend's did not. My portion of veal was large enough that under normal circumstances I would have taken half back to my hotel room (which had a refrigerator) to eat the next day, but since I was wandering around Boston in the hot sun for the rest of the afternoon, that seemed inadvisable, so I manfully forced myself to eat the whole thing, and then wound up skipping dinner that night. The North End is a fun place to visit in Boston, and is full of excellent restaurants; this one is now at the very top of my list.
(5)Jaime M.
The food at Limoncello is VERY good! I think one of the most important things about an Italian restaurant is the sauce and their sauces are SOOO good! The meatballs are awesome as well. The service is super friendly and make you feel rigt at home.
(4)Steve A.
Don't seat us at a table, take our order then walk over and tell us "you need to finish your dinner in 20 minutes because we have a large party coming in and need the table." screw you limoncello. If you knew you had a large party then just ask us to wait a few minutes for another table to open up. Poor planning, poor management and poor customer service skils. The food was decent enough but I won't go back ever again due to the service.
(1)Jenna B.
Loved it! The service was great, food wonderful, portions bountiful, and prices reasonable. The Limoncello dessert that they give you at the end was tasty and refreshing. Next time I'm in Boston, I'm coming back! ~The only minor drawback was parking, be prepared to walk!
(5)Emma T.
I've pass this place a ton of times but it was only recently that I tried this place. It was wonderful. I took my mom here for a nice dinner for her birthday and it was a busy night and we didn't have a reservation. I thought there was no way we'd get in, but the owner made such an effort to seat us and keep us there an happy. He gave us a free glass of wine while we waited at the bar and sat us within 10 minutes. Our waiter was a little snooty, but the owner continued to check on us throughout our meal and was just so sweet. He's very attentive and aware of what's going on, and very good at running his business. Food was fantastic as well. I had the eggplant parm which was great, and even better it didn't come with a side of pasta but steamed veggies. It was filling but still light. It's definitely a busy place but you can still have a conversation and you're never forgotten. Definitely a must go to while in North End.
(5)Jake M.
This place had potential, but by the end of the meal I vowed not to return. While many people enjoyed their meals, here is my feedback: -The house wine was the worst thing I've ever drank. I know, I know...it's the house wine, but for $32 I expect more than watered down grape juice. -The restaurant was very hot, and when we commented we were told "That's because the windows are open. If we close them, it'll be nice and cool but that'd be rude to the other customers." -If I'm paying $50+ per person, I expect the waiter to know who ordered what (that's why paper was invented). Instead, he kept yelling out orders and handing scalding hot plates to people rather than putting them down with a dishcloth. -The swordfish one person ordered was bad. Once we flagged someone down, they grabbed it and ran before asking what the person wanted (which was to just send it back and stick with her app at that point in the meal). The waiter then came back and said that someone in the kitchen ate it and it was fine, so it was probably the tomatoes on it that "made it fishy"...don't you hate "fishy tomatoes". -I ordered the "signature dish" which was this pasta/meal rollup. The waiter emphasized it was the "signature dish" about 30 times, so I figured "how can the mess up their most popular dish"...well, they did. They put cheese on top and broil it for a minute to melt it. The only problem is that they broiled it for faaaaarrrr too long, so the pasta was hard and crunchy. I had a hard time cutting it, and it tasted like chewy cardboard. The bottom part that wasn't overcooked was amazing, so the dish had real potential! -We were asked 4 times (no exaggeration) if we wanted "regular" or bottled water. I get it, you want to charge me $7 per glass of water. Here's a tip, if I order tap water, I want tap water throughout the whole meal. -The waiter never took our menus, so I eventually just collected them all (because they're the size of a refrigerator box) and returned them to the hostess stand myself. -One assistant waiter poured out the remainder of a bottle of wine and then started talking to someone while holding the bottle over my head and waving her hands about. It's amazing my shirt wasn't covered in the remnants of the bottle!
(2)Caroline T.
This is not a memorable restaurant. It has the feeling of dining in a cafeteria. My food was cold and it was not tasty. I couldn't get the attention of the waiter to get hot food. The service was poor overall, too. The prices were high for this quality of dining. The restaurant was mostly empty, but other restaurants had waiting lines out the door. The restaurant was a recommendation from the concierge at our hotel. I suggest that you ask friends or locals for recommendations , not a concierge.
(1)Stephanie H.
This place was good. we went here as a result from the hotel concierge while staying in Boston with family. Granted I am living in Salem for 5 plus years now and boston area for six plus years and walking around the north end I have never found a bad place- however the concierge at the hotel called the day of and made a reservation for 8. We were sat right away at the same time as another party of 8 or 10 and another party of about the same size was coming in soon and the rest of the place was packed. iwth that said- the food was good. Not maybe worth the price- it could have come down about 2-4 dollars per dish but it was good. Got the apps fast which made us wonder if they were pre made especially with the scallop dish that my father in law got but waiter was attentive food was real good and filling. Prices and apps fast service are the only questions
(4)Tara B.
This is our favorite place to go in the North End!! So surprised at seeing some negative comments! They have equal or better prices ($15 - $25 for most plates) than some of the other restaurants nearby (This IS Boston...prices aren't cheap) and they are cozier by far (I dislike 'snooty' places). We've been going there for several years now and the food has never been less than fantastic. Our favs are the black squid ink fettucine, Linguine Frutti Di Mare, Tagliolini Al Limoncello and the Lasagna Mediteraneo! The service has been stellar each time. Hmmm good wines too..love the Steele Pinot Noir! We come here as often as possible :) This place is my "comfort" restaurant...I know whenever I walk in the door that I'll have a fabulous time! Oh, can't believe I almost forgot to mention the Limoncello shots. Just lovely, especially refreshing on a hot day!
(5)Maria P.
I've been here three times, once for dinner and twice for lunch. All three times were very good. The service was quick and friendly. The food was really good, although I'm yet to try many of the restaurants in the North End. Overall, for Italian food it was excellent. The choices were ample and the restaurant had a cozy feel to it.
(4)Austin R.
I came here with my friend and his parents a while ago and was delightfully impressed. It's a great atmosphere inside the restaurant and the owner, in true Italian fashion, kept the wine flowing all night. Or I should say he successfully encouraged my friend's parents to keep the wine flowing all night. The meatball appetizer was good but I've made better at home. The squid ink pasta was pretty tasty but not the best I've had. I guess what really made it for me was the atmosphere of this place.
(4)Wendy L.
My meal (the stuffed chicken breast) was excellent and saucy. Our waiter kept plugging their unique Time Magazine prosciutto lasagne and I wish I had ordered it, too. My ceasar salad was smothered in homemade dressing and utterly delicious. We had a heavenly bottle of Italian wine and shared their tiramisu-in-a-glass at the end of the meal. Needless to say, the food stands out. This small, busy restaurant is abuzz with energy and loud conversation. Our waiter was great until we asked him to call us a cab and he made some racist comments before telling us he'd "call Abdullah." It was a sour way to end an otherwise great evening.
(4)Sue C.
We came from Saratoga NY & our hotel recommended Limoncello in North Boston. We loved it! Soooo good I had the Lasagna - the best ever and my husband had Fritti di Mare it was so Good Everything was above our expectations! LuLu waited on us - she made it a perfect experience We will be back!
(5)Briana A.
Husband and I came here around 8 pm on a Friday night and we were lucky we didn't have to wait for a table even though the place was pretty crowded. The staff was very friendly and attentive and our drinks and food arrived quickly. I had the cheese ravioli with meatball and husband had the chicken Parmesan. My ravioli was very good and the meatball was delicious too. My husband enjoyed his as well. Both our entrees were on the smaller side. My ravioli was two large ravioli. For the price I was hoping it would be enough for leftovers but certainly not. I also had the tiramisu for dessert which was very good also. For the two of us (two glasses of wine, two entrees and tiramisu) it was $80. It was worth not having to wait, delicious food and friendly staff and we would definitely recommend it.
(4)Mark H.
The female hostess was as nasty as could be. We made a reservation to eat here and when we got there, she accused of of not doing so. We then walked outside and were met by 4 other couples that had the same thing happen to them. While the food maybe good here, they are serving up plenty of attitude with it. Spend your money elsewhere
(1)Rachel J.
I really love the location of this place. It feels very authentic and it's walking distance to other neat shops in the area. As far as the food and atmosphere it is traditional Italian food. Even the bread they first serve is amazing! If you are going to get wine it's best to get a bottle since it would be a lot cheaper for four people. Also make sure you arrive early or make a reservation (they kind of act annoyed if you don't make a reservation). I also had the caprese salad with cheese ravioli. Both were fantastic!!! The food is pretty pricey but it's the price you pay for authentic food. It's a good experience with great food and Italian culture.
(4)Dave R.
First, full disclosure, I was dining alone this night hoping for high-end Italian in Boston's North End. My destination was Mamma Maria (#1 on Yelp) and even though I arrived early (5:30) they only have four seats at the bar and all of them were already taken. So, I headed over to Ristorante Limoncello (#3) as it is very close by. I'm glad I did.... After being ushered to the "bar" by the very friendly host who greeted me the door, the first thing I noticed was that most of the patrons were conversing with the staff ***IN ITALIAN.*** I took that for a good sign. I call it a "bar" because it's not what one typically expects to find in a restaurant. It was at the back of the dining room with about 8-10 comfortable bar seats facing a big screen TV *BUT* the area behind the bar is used for storage and there's no bartender at this bar. Instead, I was served by one of the waitresses who brought the food and drinks to my seat throughout my visit. The setting was a little off-putting at first and I almost left to find a more traditional bar setting elsewhere. But by now it was getting into the dining out rush hour when lines are often out the door in the North End. I decided to stay put. As I was being seated I was immediately served water, a plate of olives in EVOO, and fresh bread. After hearing the specials and perusing the menu I started by ordering a bottle of the house Chianti and one of the nightly special appetizers; a Burrata Mozzarella salad that was amazing (why can't I find tomatoes like that off-season?). For my main course I had a the Ravioli Alla'Astice con Salsa Vellutata (Lobster Ravioli with a fresh Crabmeat Sherry Cream Sauce). It was delicious. Not surprisingly, when I was done eating I was served a complimentary chilled glass of house made limoncello. The entire meal, including the wine, was about $80.00. My waitress was extremely attentive and friendly throughout my visit, and from my seat I noted similarly friendly and attentive staff serving the nearby patrons. If you're planning to eat at a table in the dining room I'd highly recommend Ristorante Limoncello. If you're looking for a seat at the bar you may want to choose another destination, but if you can tolerate the funky bar setting I described about to get a great Italian Dinner, go for it.
(4)Steph H.
After scouring yelp for the best north end restaurant my husband and I finally chose this one - are we ever so happy that we did!! We had a truly spectacular meal here. First thing you notice is the ambiance of the place...it's like you are walking into a restaurant in Italy. It's welcoming, comfortable, authentic yet romantic. We asked our waiter's recommendation between the house Sangiovese and a pricier one on the bottle list. Without hesitation he directed us towards a bottle of the house, which was delicious. We split 3 different dishes. Appetizer - the special which was thinly sliced octopus on arugula. Words cannot describe how delicious this was. Salad - the special cappers, which included cheese imported from Italy. Again, amazing. The cheese just melted in your mouth. Dinner - The seafood soup/stew which was a half lobster, haddock, shrimp, clams, mussels and squid n a zesty broth. Absolutely amazing, can't recommend enough. We are still talking about this weeks later. Our bill for the bottle of wine and the 3 dishes above came to a little over $100. Well worth it. Don't let the price deter you from this gem. We would definitely visit this place again hands down when returning to Boston. If you are looking for an authentic, delicious meal in the North End, look no further.
(5)Lisa M.
I never heard or saw this restaurant before as its hidden behind the Main Street of the North end district. It's no wonder that even though it's out of the way of the other main restaurants that it's still a plus four star rated restaurant. Why you should go here? Well let's start with the location just off the crowded Main Street which makes for a romantic stroll through the quieter streets of what I refer to "little Italy". The staff are all so very very gracious and genuine that you really do feel like you've been welcomed to their home. The food is absolutely amazing!! The ambience is very Italian. The bread, the bread, the bread (had to say it three times, omg so good!) The wine selection is perfect! Take it from someone who has been to Italy three times. You will make this your go to restaurant after even one visit!
(5)Jaclyn S.
I really like the food, but I'm lowering the rating from a 4 star to a 3 star due to the fact that you are rushed here. I've ate here a few times and they won't let you order appetizers and order the entrees later. Everything has to be ordered all at once. The last time I was here we were barely done with apps and they were clearing the table and said they had to because the entrees were ready. When I go out, I want to have a fun night out, not get rushed.
(3)Jeff R.
Good experience! Food tasted very good and the portions were worth the pricing! The server was attentive and the food came out quick. All in all a great family meal.
(4)Scott T.
We had dinner here on a Friday night. The restaurant was packed and it was clear that people were here for the great food. Everything they sent us was delicious. We did an antipasto plate which was very good. I had a swordfish special which was outstanding. We would come back here again.
(5)Alisa B.
The food was tasty but I've never felt so rushed and unwanted at a restaurant. Mind you we came around 9:00, and they close at 10, but by 9:30, they were unsubtly taking our not even close to being finished plates and packing them up, mopping right by our feet, cleaning our table... When we were not nearly ready to leave. I understand we got there near closing time, but for the prices we spent- $30 per plate + $60 bottle of wine... It was garishly inappropriate and rude. Don't let patrons eat at that late hour if you clearly don't want them there near closing. Very bad service and experience. Would not recommend.
(2)Sue C.
We came from Saratoga NY & our hotel recommended Limoncello in North Boston. We loved it! Soooo good I had the Lasagna - the best ever and my husband had Fritti di Mare it was so Good Everything was above our expectations! LuLu waited on us - she made it a perfect experience We will be back!
(5)Dave R.
First, full disclosure, I was dining alone this night hoping for high-end Italian in Boston's North End. My destination was Mamma Maria (#1 on Yelp) and even though I arrived early (5:30) they only have four seats at the bar and all of them were already taken. So, I headed over to Ristorante Limoncello (#3) as it is very close by. I'm glad I did.... After being ushered to the "bar" by the very friendly host who greeted me the door, the first thing I noticed was that most of the patrons were conversing with the staff ***IN ITALIAN.*** I took that for a good sign. I call it a "bar" because it's not what one typically expects to find in a restaurant. It was at the back of the dining room with about 8-10 comfortable bar seats facing a big screen TV *BUT* the area behind the bar is used for storage and there's no bartender at this bar. Instead, I was served by one of the waitresses who brought the food and drinks to my seat throughout my visit. The setting was a little off-putting at first and I almost left to find a more traditional bar setting elsewhere. But by now it was getting into the dining out rush hour when lines are often out the door in the North End. I decided to stay put. As I was being seated I was immediately served water, a plate of olives in EVOO, and fresh bread. After hearing the specials and perusing the menu I started by ordering a bottle of the house Chianti and one of the nightly special appetizers; a Burrata Mozzarella salad that was amazing (why can't I find tomatoes like that off-season?). For my main course I had a the Ravioli Alla'Astice con Salsa Vellutata (Lobster Ravioli with a fresh Crabmeat Sherry Cream Sauce). It was delicious. Not surprisingly, when I was done eating I was served a complimentary chilled glass of house made limoncello. The entire meal, including the wine, was about $80.00. My waitress was extremely attentive and friendly throughout my visit, and from my seat I noted similarly friendly and attentive staff serving the nearby patrons. If you're planning to eat at a table in the dining room I'd highly recommend Ristorante Limoncello. If you're looking for a seat at the bar you may want to choose another destination, but if you can tolerate the funky bar setting I described about to get a great Italian Dinner, go for it.
(4)Steph H.
After scouring yelp for the best north end restaurant my husband and I finally chose this one - are we ever so happy that we did!! We had a truly spectacular meal here. First thing you notice is the ambiance of the place...it's like you are walking into a restaurant in Italy. It's welcoming, comfortable, authentic yet romantic. We asked our waiter's recommendation between the house Sangiovese and a pricier one on the bottle list. Without hesitation he directed us towards a bottle of the house, which was delicious. We split 3 different dishes. Appetizer - the special which was thinly sliced octopus on arugula. Words cannot describe how delicious this was. Salad - the special cappers, which included cheese imported from Italy. Again, amazing. The cheese just melted in your mouth. Dinner - The seafood soup/stew which was a half lobster, haddock, shrimp, clams, mussels and squid n a zesty broth. Absolutely amazing, can't recommend enough. We are still talking about this weeks later. Our bill for the bottle of wine and the 3 dishes above came to a little over $100. Well worth it. Don't let the price deter you from this gem. We would definitely visit this place again hands down when returning to Boston. If you are looking for an authentic, delicious meal in the North End, look no further.
(5)Briana A.
Husband and I came here around 8 pm on a Friday night and we were lucky we didn't have to wait for a table even though the place was pretty crowded. The staff was very friendly and attentive and our drinks and food arrived quickly. I had the cheese ravioli with meatball and husband had the chicken Parmesan. My ravioli was very good and the meatball was delicious too. My husband enjoyed his as well. Both our entrees were on the smaller side. My ravioli was two large ravioli. For the price I was hoping it would be enough for leftovers but certainly not. I also had the tiramisu for dessert which was very good also. For the two of us (two glasses of wine, two entrees and tiramisu) it was $80. It was worth not having to wait, delicious food and friendly staff and we would definitely recommend it.
(4)Mark H.
The female hostess was as nasty as could be. We made a reservation to eat here and when we got there, she accused of of not doing so. We then walked outside and were met by 4 other couples that had the same thing happen to them. While the food maybe good here, they are serving up plenty of attitude with it. Spend your money elsewhere
(1)Rachel J.
I really love the location of this place. It feels very authentic and it's walking distance to other neat shops in the area. As far as the food and atmosphere it is traditional Italian food. Even the bread they first serve is amazing! If you are going to get wine it's best to get a bottle since it would be a lot cheaper for four people. Also make sure you arrive early or make a reservation (they kind of act annoyed if you don't make a reservation). I also had the caprese salad with cheese ravioli. Both were fantastic!!! The food is pretty pricey but it's the price you pay for authentic food. It's a good experience with great food and Italian culture.
(4)Lisa M.
I never heard or saw this restaurant before as its hidden behind the Main Street of the North end district. It's no wonder that even though it's out of the way of the other main restaurants that it's still a plus four star rated restaurant. Why you should go here? Well let's start with the location just off the crowded Main Street which makes for a romantic stroll through the quieter streets of what I refer to "little Italy". The staff are all so very very gracious and genuine that you really do feel like you've been welcomed to their home. The food is absolutely amazing!! The ambience is very Italian. The bread, the bread, the bread (had to say it three times, omg so good!) The wine selection is perfect! Take it from someone who has been to Italy three times. You will make this your go to restaurant after even one visit!
(5)Jaclyn S.
I really like the food, but I'm lowering the rating from a 4 star to a 3 star due to the fact that you are rushed here. I've ate here a few times and they won't let you order appetizers and order the entrees later. Everything has to be ordered all at once. The last time I was here we were barely done with apps and they were clearing the table and said they had to because the entrees were ready. When I go out, I want to have a fun night out, not get rushed.
(3)Brittany B.
Now this is an authentic Italian restaurant! This is coming from an Italian whose also traveled to Italy twice. Not only is the food out of this world good but the staff are all kind and most have a real Italian flare making the experience that much better. Even got my boyfriend who normally isnt up for Italian craving to come back! Dishes I have tried are the cesar salad, the beef carpaccio, lobster and crab ravioli, and another seafood pasta which I cant remember the name of. The pasta sauce was one of the best Ive ever had. Dont forget to try their homemade cannolis or tiramisu! Yumm.
(5)Richard M.
We've been to Limoncello before and the food was very good. However, this past Saturday, we wanted to have dinner there again. It was Labor Day weekend and busy in the city. We knew the restaurants would be busy so we went early, around 6 pm. There was a couple in front of us in the line, who knew the host. They didn't have a reservation either, but they were seated right away. I get that. When the host came back, he asked if we had reservations and we said we did not. Instead of telling us that the wait would be a half hour or an hour or whatever, he just said, quite rudely, that he would not be able to accommodate us. I mentioned that he had just seated the other couple without a reservation, and he just shrugged and said he wouldn't be able to seat us. I understand that restaurants can be busy, especially on a beautiful evening on a holiday weekend. But is there any reason why the host needs to treat patrons so poorly? Could he just not have said the wait would be an hour, two hours, whatever, and let us make the choice? Instead, we were made to feel that we didn't meet his "standards" for who he wanted in his restaurant. Needless to say, despite the fact we have dined there before and enjoyed it, I refuse to spend my money in a place that treats customers that way. Instead, we ended up at Assaggio on Prince Street, were treated with respect and had a wonderful meal.
(1)Ben S.
Food was pretty good (I've had better). Service and experience was great. They kind of cram you in there, though. Worth a stop if you're looking for something to eat at "Little Italy".
(4)Shaina F.
AAAAAAmazing - my second time here after an equally amazing first experience here a few years ago. Went with 3 girlfriends and we all started with Caesar salad (no anchovies, thank you), and obviously the delectable bread they give you (which I ended up using to sop of every last drop of my sauce). For dinner I cannot remember the name of the pasta dish (but a picture it worth a thousand words...see attached) - it had a crazy long name and was apparently featured in Time magazine according to our waiter, since I asked him what he suggested. It was long flat pasta with prosciutto, mushrooms, cheese, and truffle oil in a blush sauce....oh MY god. My family is very Italian, so naturally I take my Italian food very seriously (and very critically!). This place should not be looked over, I highly recommend it! Their specials all sounded amazing too and everything looked beautiful, and was priced really reasonably. They also have 5-6 different house wines so you don't have to go crazy spending tons on the alcohol. Our house Pinot Grigio was the perfect accent to our meal. Ciao, see you soon again I'm sure!
(5)Mark D.
After an arduous day of trekking about Boston's Freedom Trail, our party of 6 was ready for a hearty meal in the North End. Limoncello accepted us close to 6PM without a reservation and we were quickly seated. A generous basket of delicious warm fresh bread soon was delivered to our table. The wine list has many reasonably priced bottles available. Everyone's entrée was delicious and met our expectations. I had the lobster ravioli. It was well stuffed with tender lobster meat and was delicious. The service was absolutely great. No water glass remained unfilled for long. The restaurant uses a team waiting concept. All servers were friendly and courteous. There are many restaurants available in this Italian neighborhood, but I would dine at this one again.
(4)Ross G.
Yeah finally got to try here recently, and it went well. For an appetizer we got the meatballs and sauce which was amazing. My entree consisted of Linguine and clams which was also very. I would recommend that if you like seafood. The service was better than average, and I would likely go back. If i remember correctly we also ordered a bottle of wine. Oh Boston nights :). The restaurant lay out also very nice as well, as noted in the other reviews. It's tough to go wrong in the north end, but make sure you stop by Limoncello if you do venture here.
(4)Raquelle Z.
Veal saltimboca was a masterpiece
(5)Carla C.
There are SO many restaurants to choose from in the North End but we came here based on my fellow yelpers reviews. And so glad we did! Everything from the crusty bread and savory olives delivered to our table upon being seated to the pasta dishes (fresh and cooked perfectly al dente), the veal which melted in your mouth to the exceptional desserts (FRESHLY filled) creamy cannoli, extremely flavorful tiramisu and an extraordinary lemon/blueberry marscapone cake. Everything was perfectly executed and on point. The service was extremely attentive and professional. Just a wonderful evening! Can't wait to return! Mille grazie!
(5)Chuck L.
So disappointing. Concierge at Marriott suggested this place and we assume they have a "financial relationship." Tried to order an appetizer and was told that we could not - had to order it with our meal. Service was terrible and obvious that they just wanted to turn the table. Food was OK. Nothing special. And service was horrible. Way too many better options in the North End... will never go back to Lemoncello.
(1)J G.
Dinner for 10, 4 in the group had never been to Boston or the North End. The experience was great! Oh the meatballs, why can't I get you out of my head!!! The meatballs and red sauce were special. When I go back, I'm going to feast on meatballs! Anyway, everything else was great too!
(5)Anthony M.
NORTH END STARS Search the North End of Boston for restaurants and the first 19 all have 4 or more stars. I find that amazing. I would have expect there to be at least a few bad ones. Luckily I was with my buddy Tony M and he is from the area. So between Yelp and his inside info I knew we were covered. During our car ride, I started reading all of the Yelp ratings, as we decided where we were going to eat dinner. We finally settled on Limeoncello because Tony M had eaten here before and he thought I would like. I must also mention that you need to check out Paul Revere's House, which is right next door and the Freedom Trail in front, which is marked in brick, it is the famous ride through the streets of Boston by Revere to warn the colonist that, "The Redcoats Are Coming!" Okay enough history it was time to eat. The restaurant had a nice crowd when we walked in. We were immediately seated at a window table where we could enjoy the view of the street. Not much was happening out there but we kept an eye open in case Paul Revere had streaked by. Our waiter was very slick. He oozed Italian attitude, almost like he didn't have time for us but in a nice way. He rattled off the specials and everything sounded so good. I asked him what was his favorite menu item and he told me everything. That really didn't help me unless I was ordering everything. We decided to start with an appetizer and ordered the clams and mussels in a spicy white wine sauce. They were delicious. I must say that all of the shells had opened and there was not one grain of sand in the shells. That is one of my dinning pet peeve's and it always seems to happen to me but tonight the chef knocked it out of the park. The sauce was really good and I probably used the whole basket of bread to just soak up every drop of it. Yum! Part of me was going to ask for a spoon and eat the sauce as if it was a soup. For my entree I went with the Veal Parmesan with a side of spaghetti. It was exactly what I wanted. I was looking for some old school Italian and I found it here. The red sauce was really fresh, in fact I could see the chunks of fresh basil and garlic in there. The veal was a very healthy portion. I hate it when you get a tiny little piece of veal. They didn't mess around here. The veal hit the spot and was exactly what I wanted. It was the perfect comfort food for a cold Boston night. My buddy ordered one of the specials. He got a stuffed pork chop with spinach, mozzarella and prosciutto with a side of fresh green beans. It was huge! It could probably tip over Fred Flintstone's car. Okay I am exaggerating but I guarantee you will not go hungry, if you eat here. I did not taste it...dudes don't do that but from the look on his face and his comments he was making me have pork chop envy. He did let me snap a photo which I will post. I can successfully say that we both choose fantastic dishes for dinner including our starter. Maybe our waiter was right when he said everything on the menu was delicious. He should have a little attitude for serving this fantastic food. I only had two items tonight and I was sold. We also had a great bottle of house merlot and it was a perfect addition to our Italian feast in the North End. Another nice touch they do is deliver a bowl of olives to enjoy with your bread. That's a perfect Italian snack: olives, bread and red wine. I personally loved this place and I look forward to the next time I get to come back but it may be hard with all of these 4+ star restaurants around here. I may need to compare this place to another. I do know that if you're looking for some nice Italian done right then this is the place. Ciao my Yelp friends and Mangia!
(5)Chiraag B.
Had a really great time here - make reservations EARLY if you want a seat else you will have to wait. Try the Rosette Al Montasio Ed Olio Di Tartufo - the sauce is amazing, if you like cream sauce. Also, the wine selection is very good albeit a little $$. They offer by the bottle so its better if you go in a group. It's a very busy place so the servers appear a little stressed out just managing the traffic. I didn't give this place 5 stars, because we were asked 4 times within a span of 10 minutes alone to check if we were finished working our food. We just asked to be left alone at the 4th time because it got a little frustrating. But otherwise apart from the isolated experience - we really enjoyed our food and would probably come here again!
(4)Whitney B.
Really good food. Got in without reservation around 6pm on a Tuesday. Stuffed chicken was kind of dry. Bread was awesome.
(4)Michael C.
Good Italian food but a bit pricy. The service was fair but not great. This is a good spot for a nice meal out.
(4)Alyx F.
4 stars for food, 5+++++ stars for service. This is such a family restaurant and it was a true pleasure to dine here. They take reservations and I highly recommend that you get one since this place gets busy. The bread was AMAZING. The pasta was really good. Also, their house wine was great. Definitely an awesome option, and it was some of the best italian food I have had!
(5)Mike B.
Stopped in on a business trip, someone recommended the North End for Italian food, there's plenty. Feverishly opened yelp app in cab, look for restaurant with liquor, because business trip (obvi) and settled on Limoncello. Limoncello does not serve liquor, so that was disappointing, but that was the only thing disappointing about the experience. The restaurant was rather empty when we were there, which was earlier in the evening. I had the seafood dish, it was incredible. Muscles, Clams, Squid. Let me say it again, it was incredible. Don't like seafood? Well, they serve other things, so don't get angry. Good wine and decent beer list. Enjoyed the restaurant, the wait staff was incredibly friendly. I would absolutely go back to this restaurant again if I am in the Boston area. Again- they don't have liquor.
(4)Lou C.
The food is good. But are there other restaurants in the North End with better food and better service in the same price range? Definitely. But I agree with Jaclyn S. They really try rushing you out of there. We also were discouraged from ordering appetizers separately from our entrees. I can't remember any other restaurant that tried doing that--- but we ordered the appetizers and entrees separately anyway. Our food order was incorrect and three of us had to wait for our dishes while the other two in our party had their order. Screw-ups happen. But when you add the atmosphere of them wanting you to finish and get out, it's not exactly the relaxing family dinner out we've had at other restaurants in the North End.
(2)Amber E.
I try to visit the North End on every trip to Boston, and although there are so many great restaurants, cafes and pizzerias, this is one of my favorite. Our waiter, Antonio has been here for years, and is so gracious and charming. This time, I tried the pasta w/ seafood in a slightly spicy red sauce, and it was excellent. The bread is tasty, too. House wines were very good, and reasonably priced, and we enjoyed their homemade limoncello at the end of our meal. Ciao til next time!
(5)Sarah O.
Excellent service, fast and effective. Great food. Food was hot, prompt, and delicious. Pleasantly surprised. Def be back. The North End is my favorite part of Boston. I love the close knitted people and locals of that area.
(5)Jenn C.
I had the penne arrabbiata. Arguably a boring choice, but I don't care. I love spicy pasta, and I loved what they brought me. Husband had the gnocchi Sorrentino, also very good. Everyone really enjoyed their food here. My friend's Carbonara looked delightful, but I was too full to try it. We came at lunch time on a Monday, so there was no wait. Overall, good dining experience.
(4)Roger Z.
Died and went to heaven! Scallops Limoncello were otherworldly. Linguine and red clam sauce was so good Paul Revere might rise from the dead to have a plate.
(5)Sadie W.
The Rosette Pasta is honestly the best thing I've eaten in a very long time. A MUST!!!!!
(5)Katherine D.
Best Italian food in the north end.. Period. The lobster ravioli is so delicious and they are on point with refilling your waters...very high end service! The owner is very nice and the waiters are very knowledgeable about everything on the menu.
(5)Josh J.
Talk about good food. No need to look anywhere else. Plan to make this a stop every time I visit Boston. Yes, its that good. Jake was great. Very friendly, quick and made the experience all that much more welcoming. I had the chicken marsala and my bf ordered the lasagna. Usually we will share but both of us enjoyed our dishes so much we had a taste of each others and hoped the other wouldn't ask for more. Ordered some cappuccinos and cannolis . That was also an amazing ending to a delicious dinner.
(5)Claire V.
We had excellent service and really enjoyed great food. I am looking forward to leftovers for lunch tomorrow!
(5)Adam W.
First off, the server was incredible - but unfortunately the food was mediocre at best. Would not return- better options in the north end
(3)Sylvain F.
We have dinner with friends in this great north end restaurant. Everyone was pleased with his dish, the welcome was very good and all for a price in the middle of the area. Recommended !!!
(4)Sadie H.
Love this place. We have been going here for several years and they now greet us with hugs and ask about our family. The meatballs are the best in the North End, the wine servings are very generous, and I have loved every entree that I have tried. Love it!
(5)Heather C.
This place was recommended to us by our concierge. The food was delicious. We had cheese ravioli with a meatball and eggplant Parmesan. The meatball was the flavorful and melted in my mouth. The ravioli was perfect.
(4)rochelle l.
I had been here for lunch and enjoyed it but never for dinner. The service is always, always excellent! The food is also excellent. Dinner and dessert were superb on a nice spring evening. The place was packed too. The entire experience was very beautiful. It was as if we were at a large dinner party with good friends, great atmosphere and wonderfully prepared food. After we sat down we immediately received some warm crusty bread and a plate of olive oil with olives, yummie! We ordered chicken marsala, chicken piccata and eggplant parm. Everything was delish! The chicken was very tender and everything else was cooked to perfection. For dessert we ordered lemon cake with mascarpone cheese filing and a hint of blueberries, cannolis and tiramisu. The lemon cake dessert was out of this world good! Reservations are suggested since people were coming in in droves.
(5)Dave T.
Great food and extremely good service. I was thoroughly impressed the unique entrees that they offered as well as the quality of each dish that I tried. I would highly recommend the Rosette pasta. I thought it was their signature dish. As far as appetizers, I thought the scallops were phenomenal as well as the meatballs. These two appetizers are definitely worth trying as I believe they are superior to that of surrounding restaurants. Definitely one of my favorites in the north end.
(5)Ralph O.
Authentic place, I enjoy restaurants which have service with seniority. The house Chianti is fantastic and they know it. The food is good, the vitello was good., and prices are a little high, except for the wine. Ambience is ok, not great. It is homy but not that cozy.
(3)Don C.
Great place for lunch. We had the salmon and the house speciality pasta along with a recommended bottle of wine. Superb food, wine, exceeded only by the service. Highly recommend for a lunch that sets the rest of the day off to an exceptional start.
(5)Os H.
My favorite place in boston !!! So happy it's not snowing so I can enjoy a great Italian meal
(5)Flo S.
excellent food and service. off the main drag by one block, so quieter and more authentic. the restuaurant itself is a little noisy, tho. if they have the fresh mozzarella appetizer, you must try it! ditto about the 3 meatball appetizer. we had the rosette with the meatball appetizer together and that was a wonderful combo. the rosette is very different and very delicious. the waiter enhanced the meal with his excellent service.
(5)Meg C.
When living in Boston a few years ago this was the place I used to take family visiting. When my mom was in town I decided to go back as I hadn't been in a few years. I had always remembered it as quiet, but on a Friday night it was loud and packed. I made dinner reservations but we were running a bit late and when I tried to call nobody answered the phone. We showed up about 30 minutes late and were still seated right away. The waiters were a little all over the place. We had one waiter tell us the specials and quickly hurry away. It was a while before somebody else came for our drink order. You could tell there was some tension among the wait staff, but it was very busy and there were several large parties. I ordered the linguine and clams in the white wine sauce which was delicious. The clams were perfectly cooked and the sauce was buttery and flavorful. I thought the pasta was a little too al dente for my taste, but I also usually prefer pasta cooked over al dente. My mom ordered the proscuitto and melon and it was delcious. The melon was so ripe and juicy. It reminded me of eating it in Italy. Overall this is a solid place. The food is delicious and while the service can be a little spotty it has a good overall atmosphere.
(4)Rob P.
This restaurant is amazing. It is exactly what you would expect from a professional and talented establishment. The service was determined meet every need, met all high end industry standards, and exceeded the benchmark. The food is classic Italian. Incredible. If you want real, homemade, beautifully prepared meals, this is the real deal. We enjoyed the carpaccio, shrimp and pasta in a tomato cream sauce and veal piccata. And of course, the limoncello! What a treat. We can't wait to go back.
(5)alison m.
4 stars for service!!! Clean, great service, good food, an amazing north end find. We had a ceasar salad - a little too much dressing but yummy. Chicken saltimbucca for dinner and it wAs delicious. Would def go here again.
(4)G Z.
Phenomenal pasta, the eponymous pasta is amazing. Be sure to save some of their amazing bread to sop up the oil/sauce. Mmm mmm good. I also liked the cannoli from here.
(4)Taylor R.
Limoncello's is the best restaurant in the North End! I have been coming here for years. The food is fresh and delicious. They gave you fresh cheese, bread, and oil at the beginning of every meal and it is so good. The food is amazing the veal parmesan and lobster ravioli is my favorite but everything is good and they always have great specials. This is an absolute must the staff are so friendly and you will leave more than satisfied!!
(5)Judith B.
Our experience here was ordinary at best - from the food to the service to the wine. We would try other places in the North End when venturing back to Boston.
(3)Jonh A.
Really great service we have spaghetti carbonara and lasagna bolognese every think come up very fast great place highly recommend!!! BIG THANK YOU FOR OUR SERVER!!!
(5)Dziabek A.
It is always a good sign if you are greeted by an owner at the door . It shows right away that he cares . The food was unbelievable , very authentic Italian atmosphere . I have tried buffalo mozzarella and seafood pasta , both very fresh and delicious ,
(5)Meghan T.
We were sent here by our concierge - she definitely knew the best place in little Italy! We had to wait until 9 to get in but it was definitely worth the wait. The restaurant is tiny but so are all restaurants in the area. The food was fantastically authentic and is run by an authentic Italian family. The owner's sat down with us for a while and even brought out his favorite dish, meatballs! I would highly recommend Limoncello if you only have 1 choice for dinner in little italy. I know we will be back next time we're in town!
(5)Ann Y.
This really deserves more of a 4.5 The .5 is only deducted because during my more recent experience they were out of our first 3 choices in wine. The crusty, chewy bread and generous olives are the stuff of dreams. And our sweet, hospitable Italian waiter was absolutely charming. You cannot go wrong with any of the antipasti--anything from the caprese to the sampler platter to the calimari will be fantastic. For entrees, the Squid ink fettuccine with lobster is to die for. Even simple dishes (lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs etc) were a hit.
(4)Anna D.
Food was great! meatballs appetizer delicious! Service very friendly! I really enjoyed!
(5)Gustav K.
The Fish was great!!!! The service was great... The expresso was perfect. I am in Boston for the weekend and you all should come here. Family place, family food. My only regret is that I did not have a meatball.... There is always tomorrow!!!!! This place is it!!!
(5)Sheri S.
Oh My Gosh! This is the best pasta I've ever had & this is lunch too bad we discovered Limoncello on our last day
(5)G U.
Food is alright. It is overpriced and bland, you can definitely get better italian food at another restaurant.
(2)Judith S.
Delicious meal with homemade pasta ribbon. And a few doors down from Paul Revere's house.
(4)Jennifer R.
The food is delicious, and it's pretty easy to get a table for lunch. The prices are definitely more than reasonable for the quality of food, but I would probably say don't expect a quick lunch. The service is friendly, and my water glass was seldom empty, but it does take awhile. Not that big of a deal, just something to keep in mind if you only have an hour to eat and get back to work.
(4)Sharra C.
After deviating from our original plans/reservations, we ended up at Linoncello. First off, when you have reservations in Boston, do NOT change your plans without making new reservations (lesson learned)! With that said, we nearly did not get a table. The owner was gracious enough and fit us in, and refused to have us wait outside for our table. First impressions? The restaurant was warm, inviting and PACKED! The aromas were mouthwatering. I immediately noted several waiters carrying plates of meatballs. I forgot that I was deadest on having seafood earlier in the evening. Once seated, we were greeted by our server. He was adorable! A middle aged gentleman, with a lovely Italian accent. My friend and I started the meal off with said meatballs. They were the appetizer special and three came with the order. They were cooked to perfection, and the sauce was light and delicious! I had the Chicken Marcela and my friend Jennifer had the squid ink pasta and lobster. Both dishes were very tasty and we were happy girls. We finished our dinner off with a luscious Tiramisu - it was slightly sweet, entirely creamy; with the right amount of rum. AMAZING!! I cannot wait to return and explore the menu! Pros: Great food, great ambiance, great service - wonderful experience! Cons: be sure to make reservations or be prepared with a backup plan
(4)J.R. M.
Good service and great food, Jake our server was on top of everything, and although I didn't catch the owners name, he made it a point to make sure everyone was well and not in need of anything.
(5)Michele P.
Started with an AMAZING bread with olives, parmesean, olive oil. Mixed green salad with balsamic dressing had a bit too much dressing for me. It's a personal taste thing, so I didn't take away for it. Meal was chicken wrapped around proscuitto and cheese. Was pretty good. The hubby had scallops with lemoncello. I liked his a little better! Lol. Had a cup of espresso after (saving room for dessert at Modern Pastry later). Overall, good, not "Outstanding". Service was as good as can be, no hits there. I would recomend this place, and would eat here again.
(4)Shir L.
5 stars for the rosette limencillo 4 stars for the black ink squid pasta Service 1 star, our waitress didn't seem happy to serve us. I had to ask for the menu while still waiting on our entire party to arrive (total 11) and she never came back after taking our order until cleaning our plates and giving us our bill. Gratitude was included and we split it between cards and cash but she didn't seem happy to take our money. What a nice long, dark haired lady.
(4)Diane A.
OH MY GOD! My favorite Italian restaurant...EVER!! We walked in for lunch and it seemed a bit empty (no idea why!) so I was a bit hesitant at first. We had the lasagna ragu and the pasta carbonarra and they were both finger licking good! I seriously wish I can get italian food this good at home. I think of Limoncello's often and definitely will be going back during my next trip up! P.S Service was great!
(5)John O.
Excellent food and service. You get what you pay for. Had a very enjoyable experience with party of 7.
(4)Kristie B.
My husband and I stopped in for dinner just a few minutes shy of 5:00 last Saturday after taking in the Yanks/Sox game. The restaurant was nearly empty but we were told we could be seated even though we didn't have a reservation. By the time we finished our meal, the place had filled up so this is obviously a popular spot. After looking over the menu I asked our waitress about specials but was told it was too early for specials. So I ordered from the regular menu. Not TWO minutes later we overheard another waiter telling a couple about the dinner specials, followed by our waitress telling yet ANOTHER table about the evening's specials. I was LIVID but kept my mouth shut. My veal saltimbocca was nice - very flavorful. The vegetables were fresh and well prepared, something I appreciate. My husband opted for the veal parmigiana, his favorite. He said his was good, but he's had better. While the quality of the food was fine, I am not sure it warrants the prices. I am not one to be cheap when it comes to really good food either. I am not sure why we were told it was too early for specials when CLEARLY it was NOT. But it was enough to leave the kind of impression that stuck with me the rest of the evening. We won't be going back.
(2)Lisa B.
One of my favorites....If you get there early... the seating arrangements are better. They have a good red sauce, and the veal is one of the best in the city. Pasta is always fresh. The service is great, and of course.. their limoncello is a must!! Enjoy !!
(4)Fernando R.
Great place for lunch or dinner! Awesome Family owned business who really now how to take care of you.
(5)A L.
From the moment you walk into this warm and cozy North End gem, you feel like you've stepped into your Italian grandmother's kitchen. The staff will make you feel like you are part of the family. We tried a delicious antipasto platter for an appetizer. The bread was quite literally the best bread I have EVER had before a meal. It was crunchy on the outside and soft and doughy on the inside. So delicious I could've eaten a whole basket of it! They offered a number of intriguing specials, my boyfriend enjoyed the veal very much and I had chicken parmigiana. The cannolli's were incredibly fresh tasting and the filling tasted light. At the end they brought us some Limoncello which was the perfect nightcap. Can't wait to go back again soon!
(5)Jackie B.
Came here because of a recommendation from our hotel (Battery Wharf, within walking distance), the service was excellent as well as the food. Would be best making reservations on a Friday or Saturday night. The portions were just right and the food was true authentic Italian. Will definitely return on my next trip to Boston!!
(5)Jayde D.
What an amazing restaurant!!!!!! Took my mother in law out for her birthday and the experience was wonderful. Anyone who comes here you must try the meatballs so delicious! The employees are so kind and sweet this place is spectacular!!!!!
(5)Mel R.
One of the absolute best Italian meals I have had in years - maybe decades! Great service, very helpful and informative, nice atmosphere nestled in the heart of the North End. The food was everything you would hope for - authentic Italian with a true North End flair! Five stars!
(5)Rick G.
TERRIBLE. How it is possible for anyone to rate this place over two stars (on their best day) is beyond me. My wife and I are from the general area and well aware of the North End's status as a tourist trap, but we were in the area and needed a meal. Thinking we were 'clever', we got off Hanover St and went...to the restaurant right next to Paul Revere's house. No chance of that place possibly being a tourist trap - our mistake. The service, with the exception of one individual was poor. The one man that seated us was pushing wine as if it were a antidote to a poison we had taken. And the woman that filled out water and brought bread...like a robot (to quote another person's review). Not a word, just hands and arms shooting in from of our faces as she hurried to get back to a conversation with her buddies. The food...how is it possible to combine several different ingredients and have the result taste like nothing? Not having been here previously, I ordered something very simple, cliche', and that is done very well at, um, everywhere else: Chicken Parmigiana. 1) It was cold, 2) the chicken looked and tasted as if it had been cooked the day before, 3) I get it, it's Italian food, not French. Presentation isn't everything, but it looked as if the plate was placed on the floor and everything dropped in from high above, 4) The pasta. It is an Italian restaurant, and they got pasta wrong! I understand and like al dente. What I don't like is a mild crunch to my pasta, 5) Did I mention the taste? I actually lied when I said it didn't of anything. It tasted of cold, greasy chicken with the cheapest store-bought sauce plopped on it. My wife's lunch was marginally better (Shrimp Scampi), but thoroughly unimpressive. Neither of us got more than a third of the way through the meal. As a 'taste test', I went to a local pizza chain (Papa Gino's) to compare their Chicken Parmigiana. Hilarious - the Papa Gino's version was so much better. I am not one of those pretentious, self-proclaimed 'foodies', but I know bad food when I eat it and bad service when I experience it. LIMONCELLO IS EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE NORTH END EATERY REPUTATION - AVOID.
(1)Rick V.
The food here was absolutely A+ as well as the service. I had the antipasto appetizer that was to die for. Best antipasto I've had at a restaurant. I was in a group of 12, so we had family style service for that course and the next one, jumbo meatballs. Once again, it's tough to impress with something as simple as meatballs, but they pulled it off. Lastly, I had the veal Marsala, and even though I was full after the meatballs, I still cleaned my plate. You're going to pay top dollar for any place this nice, but Limoncello actually makes you feel like it is money well spent.
(5)Jenna M.
This is an old school Italian joint, where older Italian men can be found chatting in Southern dialect at the bar. This is a great place for a family outing or large party, which is harder to accommodate at all of the smaller spots on Hanover or Salem Streets. Limoncello serves up all the classic dishes with an emphasis on seafood. The squid ink pasta with lobster is delicious, and the lobster ravioli, made in house, is also great. The tomato cream sauce for these dishes is truly light, with just a touch of cream, as pink sauce should be. The owner/manager is very accommodating and the servers are also great.
(4)Jane C.
My partner and I went to the North End for date night because we're both big authentic Italian food fans. Lines were wrapped around the corners for places like Giacomo's and The Daily Catch (among others), so we kept walking. We stumbled upon Limoncello which was slightly off the beaten path. They were booked out an hour with reservations, but the menu looked impressive and we understood that we should have planned this better, so we decided to wait. It wasn't 5 minutes later that the host (true-to-positive-form Italian male) told us 2 spots opened at the bar and they were ours if we wanted. We of course said yes. Our server was well versed in the menu items, the atmosphere in the restaurant was quaint and lovely in itself, and the food was really impressive. We ordered the burrata and scallops for the appetizers, and lobster ravioli and seafood pasta for our main course. The best part about this evening, even above the food, was our overall experience. We're a gay couple. We were not shy about being on a date. This could have easily provoked an unpleasant experience by the attention it sometimes causes, be it customer or our serving staff. No one, not the customers nor the staff blinked an eye. We were completely non-unique, which was perfect. My main compliant was the wine by the glass options. They only serve 4 or 5 different bottles by the glass. each a different varietal. We ended up purchasing a bottle of their house sangiovese, which wasn't bad, but we also priced it at a $12 bottle that we paid $40 for. That mark-up seemed pretty extreme. Any other non-house bottle was marked up even higher, which is why we settled for the sangiovese. I highly recommend the restaurant for the food and atmosphere. Make reservations ahead :)
(4)Holly H.
If you go for lunch, be sure you get the lunch menu, it's half the price of the dinner menu.
(2)Emily C.
My friend and I came here for dinner after deciding it was way too cold for the line outside of Giacomo's. There was no line, and we were promptly seated. The restaurant was nice with dim lighting. The service was ok. Our waitress was friendly, but we didn't see her too much. There may not be a line out the door for this place, but the food was quite delicious. The shrimp scampi was FANTASTIC. I would even dare to say....the scampi here is BETTER than the scampi I've tried at Giacomo's. The lobster ravioli was great as well . I'll definitely be back to try their squid ink pasta. The table next to us seemed to really enjoy that dish. My friend and I also split a tiramisu for dessert. It was wonderful. It had a really great rummy flavor, and it wasn't overwhelmingly sweet. Very charming restaurant. Located a stone's throw away from Paul Revere's house. I highly recommend this place to anyone visiting the North End!
(4)Alex B.
Really liked the ambience and service!. It is a place to go!
(5)Lauren E.
I went here for lunch with a friend who was visiting from out of town. Limoncello is located about a block away from Hanover Street. There are so many options in the North End that can be hit or miss. This place was definitely a hit. It was definitely more spacious that most other North End restaurants. The lunch was fairly priced. We started off with an Antipasto Calabrese, which was a nice assortment of lettuce, cured meats, cheese, pepper and tomato. In my opinion, it is pretty hard to mess up an antipasto as long as you use quality ingredients. The antipasto here used fresh ingredients and was seasoned with just the right amount of dressing. I ordered the Chicken Saltimbocca for my entree. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal. Sometimes I feel as if certain North End restaurants mess up the chicken dishes - either too rubbery or dry - but not Limoncello. I would go back here again.
(5)Katie P.
It really doesn't get much better than this! We wanted to try somewhere new (to us) in the North End. After prying ourselves away from our typical restaurants, my boyfriend said he kept meaning to try this place so we did! Best decision ever! It was a Saturday at about 6pm so as you can imagine, it was packed. They still managed to fit us in without a reservation pretty quickly. It did seem like most people had called ahead, so you may want to do that. It seems like all of the servers work together, because one person got our water, another the drinks, and yet another took our dinner order. It was all very organized, even with all of the different people helping us. The bread that we started off with was unbelievable...so fresh, and it came with olives, olive oil and freshly grated parm cheese. I went with the stuffed pork chop special which was stuffed with Fontina cheese, spinach and either ham or prosciutto. I didn't know what to expect because I hadn't ever ordered something like that from an Italian restaurant. It was HUGE, perfectly cooked, and completely stuffed with filling. The sauce that was on it was so good I had to sop the rest up with the bread. I think it was some type of Marsala sauce, but there weren't any mushrooms (good for me, because I don't like mushrooms but love Marsala!). The side that it came with was perfectly cooked and seasoned green beans and carrots. My boyfriend got the Lobster Ravioli and said it was great, and the portion was bigger than some of the other places around. He was sold on this place the minute we got olives with the bread though! I can not wait to go back and try something else! This place has the real North End feel, you could tell there were many many regulars, and there was a woman in the back, right behind our table, that people kept going up to talk to. She must have been the owner or mother or something. It really just made you feel like you are in a family run restaurant. Love it!
(5)Charlie D.
Excellent Food, family run with old itailian recipes and afordable! Must call ahead for resorvations.
(5)Matthew P.
Great restaurant with the feelings of a good Italian family has just taken you in. Let the waiter or waitress order for you if you prefer a culinary adventure. If not, I suggest the lobster ravioli, yummy!
(5)Gary S.
We made a reservation for my wife's birthday on a busy Friday. We had an amazing caprese salad. My wife had a shrimp with linguine dish that was great and I had the veal parm. One of the most tender veal I've had the pleasure of wolfing down. The portions were not over the top so we had room to venture out for dessert. My only complaint is the food didn't come out super hot and the waitress made sure to tell us we must put our entire order in at once. I understand they need to flip tables but would it kill anyone if you took the appetizer order and came back 5 minutes later?? It was a solid choice and all the dishes passing by our table looked amazing.
(4)Mac D.
Service was really fast and the waitstaff was helpful as well. I had two giant cheese raviolis and a meatball. The tomato sauce was a little sweeter than I prefer and my meatball was only ok. The menu had lots of great options and I would definitely come again to try some!
(3)Ishani S.
One of the better treats in the North End, definitely get the shrimp pasta! Amazing sauce
(4)Andrea P.
Great little north end italian restaurant. It differs from others in the area as the portions are smaller but the quality of the food was very good. Our waitress was very friendly and accommodating to our group of 10, taking her time and not rushing anyone's order. The restaurant itself was clean and organized with plenty of space, as I've found some of the smaller north end restaurants to be a little cramped. Great food, great service and overall a very nice dining experience.
(3)Emily W.
The warm bread and olives were amazing. I ordered the Pressed panino panini and loved it. Very full leaving!
(5)Janice K.
Really, really good and would visit again in a heartbeat. Went on a Friday night (8p, make reservations) and they were busy. That did not remotely affect their efficiency. These folks clearly have the customer experience down to a science. Owner greeted us upon arrival, immediately seated us. We were promptly (and I mean promptly!) provided with fresh, crusty bread, olive oil, a plate of olives and a small bowl of freshly grated cheese. Our waitress was LuLu who later disclosed that she was the owner's sister. You MUST try the meatball appetizer: LuLu shared that this was her mother's recipe. Hats off to mama! I had a risotto and shrimp special and my companion had a sea bass special. Both fabulous. Wine list acceptable and we shared a nice Sangiovese. Finished it off with a homemade cannoli which was perfect with a crispy shell and cold, fresh, tasty filling. All service was friendly, efficient and professional. You can tell the the owner really, truly cares about giving his customers an exceptional experience. Great experience and I already can't wait till next time I go back. Enjoy!
(5)Sara B.
Best Italian food I've EVER had!! Service was quick and the meatballs were even better.
(5)Eric R.
For me, coming to Boston without eating at Limoncello would be like going to Amsterdam and not visiting the Heineken Brewery. This awesome Italian eatery nestled in The North End oozes with Old World Italian charm and serves up home-made mouthwatering dishes from the old country made from the freshest ingredients. In walking distance from a lot of other Boston Landmarks. Since parking is an issue you're probably best to walk if you can and reservations are pretty much essential.
(5)Angela G.
My boyfriend made Valentine's Day reservations in advance to Limoncello, as he knew that I had been in the past and had enjoyed my experience. He wanted to surprise me by taking me somewhere nice, as I love the North End. He made an 8:30 pm dinner reservation, and we arrived about five minutes prior to our reservation. My boyfriend and I were dressed nicely, but when the host took a look at my boyfriend with his longer hair, I feel like he was offended and treated us differently. There were a few other people that were waiting to be seated, as it was very busy for Valentine's Day, and they were seated before us. I am not sure if they had prior reservations, or if they had come in off the street, but we were told that we would have to wait another 20 minutes to be seated. He rudely told us that there was no place to sit inside, and recommended that we go to the Florentine Cafe for a drink instead and then come back. It wouldn't have been so bad if it hadn't been absolutely FREEZING that night. Every restaurant in the North End was packed for Valentine's Day, and there wasn't even standing room in most places. We ended up going over to Cafe Pompeii and had a glass of wine while waiting. We headed back over to Limoncello, and again told the host that we had a reservation at 8:30 pm and were told to come back in twenty minutes. He looked at us like he had no idea what we were talking about, or that we had been there 20 minutes prior. The owner came over at this time and told us that we could take a seat out back. We were put in this little holding area in the back of the restaurant and waited until a table was ready. The owner brought us a glass of wine while we sat out back in chair up against the wall. There was a small bar area there with a large television, which they said we could sit at instead if we wanted. We said that we preferred an actual table, as we specifically made reservations in advance to have a romantic dinner. So we ended up waiting an additional 20 minutes until final we were seated at an actual table. We were seated on the crowded side of the restaurant, and our table was almost directly on top of another couple, which didn't make for a romantic evening at all. Instead we got to sit next to a pretentious younger couple, listening to the girl gossip about her friends to her significant other, and when she wasn't doing that she was busy snapping selfies on her phone for her FB throughout her dinner, which was pretty distracting. The food was good, but nothing special. especially not for the price they charge. I have been to much better places in the North End for pasta dishes, for less money, and friendly service. The waiter came to take our dinner and drink order, and once to refill our wine. He never came over to ask how everything was, or to see if we needed anything at any point during the dinner. The food is decent, but the service is lacking which takes away a lot from this place. For the amount of money they charge, you would expect the service to me much better. I would recommended just about any other restaurant in the North End.
(2)John C.
Wanted to like it more, but couldn't do it. Called and made reservations a week before hand. Specifically told the woman it was to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. I followed it up with an email to the owner saying the same thing and asking if there was a special table they may have or a table near the window. We arrived a few minutes early and approached who appeared to be the host standing out front. Actually there were two, Mr Ponytail as I called him and another man standing there smoking in the doorway. He quickly checked us in and got us seated. The smoker literally put out his cigarette and grabbed our menu's to bring to the table(yuk!). We were sat in the main dining area at a table set for 4 butted up against the half wall separating the dining area right at the end. Of course my seat was right at the end where every person coming into the restaurant bumped the chair. Again, it was our anniversary so I rolled with it. The waiter (don't know his name because he never told us) went over the specials and asked if we would like some wine. The wife selected as she is much more versed in Italian wines than I am. He was back quickly and asked if we were ready to order. We ordered the Limonecello Scallops and Caesar Salad to start. He then told us we had to place our entire order right then because they were busy? REALLY? We had been at the table 5minutes and the last thing I wanted to do was rush through dinner this night. I told him he would need to come back then as I hadn't had time to go over the menu. He was fine with it and gave no attitude. We were given a nice plate of olives, bread and dipping oil. Some of the best bread I have eaten by the way! We finally placed our order, my wife got the risotto of the day, Porcino Mushroom with truffle oil and I the Veal Chop. Both arrived in a timely manner, but not to quick. The wife's dish was good, but just a tad undercooked resulting in a little crunch and a little too watery, but the flavor was great. My chop was cooked as requested and good. The sauce on the other hand was not so great, add that to the fact that I didn't find any black truffles nor taste them in the dish and I was a bit disappointed, especially seeing as how it was $39 and the most expensive dish on the menu. The place was pretty loud which is to be expected on a Sat night. However, I was hoping for a more romantic atmosphere for our special night. It is a bright restaurant as well rather than the dim settings I have grown to enjoy in the N. End. The waiter stopped by a few times not to ask how our meals were, but to top off our wine glasses(you don't have to go home but you cant stay here vibe). When our meals were finished we were asked by a young man who cleared our plates if we would like coffee or dessert. We decided to split a cannoli on his recommendation (good call). Our bill was then placed on the table before we were done. Now one of the things I had heard about and read was the "complimentary" free Limoncello at the end of your meal. I watched every other table be brought there glass to end their meal, but ours was no where to be found. As a big fan of Limoncello, I was looking forward to it. My wife told me to ask, but I told her that I would just make note on the bill and take that into account in the tip. While it was busy, it certainly was not THAT busy to overlook a common practice/tradition of your restaurant. Again, I am usually a reasonable diner who it takes a lot to put off by the service or the food. I waited a few minutes to see if the waiter would correct his oversight but it was clear he wouldn't. He glared over standing on his toes to see if we had place a credit card in the bill. I handed them the bill and it was back in under a minute. I added in his tip, a decent one and probably more than was deserved but not my usual generosity. I understand these guys work for tips and it wasn't that he was terrible, just not the type of service I have come to expect in the N. End. Again, the food was good but just not great. Not sure if I would go back with so many other options in the area. In fact, we sat at Ricardo's across the street for a drink as we had arrived for our reservation early and they had spots at the bar open. We kiddingly joked during our dinner that we should have just stayed there as the atmosphere and wait staff seemed much more engaged. My words of advice, never rush a customer no matter how busy you are. In the long run the tips will well cover that extra table a night you get seated.
(3)Mary O.
No stars! Horrible food. No one in my party of 4 was impressed by our food. The robot waitress didn't even tell us what the vegetables were with our entree. Spilled from the plate and didn't apologize, kick my foot twice which was under the table and didn't deserve any tip since other staff members had to refill drinks and get more bread. We do not recommend you eat here! Ever!
(1)Joe M.
My wife and I ate here for lunch. She had the meatball sandwich (ciabatta) and I had the Rosette Limoncello (their signature dish), a collection of interestingly rolled up wide pasta noodles with Montassio cheese, proscuitto and mushrooms in a tomato cream sauce with truffle oil. Both were very good. The meatballs were smaller but more flavorful than the meatballs we had the night before at La Famiglia Giorgio's. Limoncello and La Famiglia Giorgio were the two restaurants we wanted to try during our 36-hour stay in Boston. Limoncello is a fancier place, with white linen table cloths and napkins, and more interesting bread, and an olive oil & cheese mix to nibble on while waiting for our order. However, prices were much higher at Limoncello (especially wines, which had the traditional restaurant markup, whereas La Famiglia Giorgio appears to sell some wines at near retail prices). I think we made the right choice about going to La Famiglia Giorgio's for a family dinner and Limoncello for a lunch for 2.
(4)CB H.
We have been going to this restaurant for years as we have enjoyed their food, staff, and atmosphere. Sadly, our visit this past weekend will likely be our last. First, the staff was inattentive and one girl was flat out rude! No one checked on us throughout the meal to see if we wanted our bread or drinks refreshed which included a bottle of wine we had ordered (which was not cheap), a few beers and water. When we asked for more water, we got no verbal acknowledgment and water hastily poured into our glasses. Second, we felt extremely rushed to eat and get out. Food was ok and the busboy was waiting to pickup the plate the moment we finished and cleared EVERYTHING off the table. And as we were gathering up to leave, they started resetting the table for the next customers while moving our belongings in the process. It was busy the night we were there, but clearly they had no patience to wait to turn over the table until the customers leave! Lastly, if you get a seat by the door, they allow people waiting to be seated to stand right next to the tables while people are eating!! My brother-in-law had a woman directly behind him to where he couldn't move his chair. Overall experience was poor especially since we paid a few hundred dollars for the dinner.
(2)Kyrah L.
They seated us right away even though they were packed and we didn't have a reservation. The carpaccio and Rosette pasta were excellent. Last time I had carpaccio this good was in Spain. Their house wine. .I had the cabernet.. was also good. Their tables are tiny and require constant rearranging to make items fit on the table. I will be back.
(4)Mario P.
Those that give this 1 or 5 stars are not objective. As a chef I would characterize this as solid. Older gentleman server has probably been serving for 40 years. His detail description of the specials was helpful. They also accommodated my daughters nut allergy. Everything cooked correctly water and bread service spot on. I had a special stuffed pork chop. Moist and tender.
(3)Joe V.
Best Italian food we have had since visiting Italy! It was a bit of a wait even though we had reservations but it was worth it!!! Servers were friendly and very helpful on the menu. Even gave us a "little" sample of the Limoncello and it was awesome! Will definitely go back next time were in Boston.
(5)Jamie G.
The north end is a must when I am in town and this chose this place on the reviews. Made a reservation..really suggest you do this, it was packed even at 6:30. started off by giving us warm crusty bread with olive oil..and some olives.. nice touch. we ordered a bottle of wine, nice wine list but not many lower price choices..maybe something they should think about. We all split a plate of a=the meatball appetizer. They were so amazing...tender and just the right amount of marinara..I could have eaten a ton of those for my meal. I am a big fan pf linguini al vongole as long as it is made right. So, away I went to try theirs. Perfectly cooked pasta, great sauce and jsut enough portion...expect clams..There really weren't many at all for the price they charge.a bit bummed, but its all good, cause it was so tasty and the best part, is they really didnt rush us off the table once we finished. I will def be back when I am in town!
(4)Mani I.
2 stars due to a few issues: 1. My wife and I are vegetarian, and when I called in before making the reservation to see if they could accommodate us, they confirmed yes without hesitation. When we got there, they pointed out the sparse vegetarian items on the menu - I was expecting them to be able to adjust existing dishes to make them vegetarian but that was not possible. 2. The food that we got was bland, overall lacking flavor. 3. Service was okay at best. We made a reservation at 8pm and didn't get seated until closer to 8:30, right along with another couple who just walked in with no reservation. Waiters seemed too busy to spend much time with us, but were friendly when they did speak to us. Overall just an ok experience, very busy without the excellent food to make up for the lack of good service.
(2)Mohit D.
This rating is solely because the restaurant is not responsible enough to edit their address on this page or other locations. Do not google N St., you'll end up in the middle of nowhere. It's NORTH St!
(1)Ryan D.
There are lots of venues in the North End that try their best to twist up classic Italian dishes. But classics are classic for a reason, and Limoncello doesn't mess with them. My girlfriend made reservations for us for a late dinner recently and, while I was concerned to walk inside and see the place chock-full, we were seated after only a couple minutes, and immediately greeted by our server and the maitre'd who offered some fantastic recommendations for both food and wine. Being one of the hottest days of the year, we didn't see a need to get too crazy with our selections. We got the caesar salad, a pasta dish and the chicken parm, each of which came quickly and at the appropriate temperature (that is, the salad wasn't hot and the entree dishes definitely were). The penne was delicious, the alla'abbaricia (I know I spelled that wrong) sauce delivering just enough of a kick to make it memorable, but not too overpowering to send us barreling for more water. The chicken was pounded to a perfect thickness and breaded just right, and the cool, crisp salad was the perfect foil to the hot weather. Was I swayed by the GM coming over and chatting with us for a few minutes, and by his bringing in a couple of puppies to visit the owner? Sure, but in a neighborhood full of eateries offering modern twists on old classics, I'll take an old classic that sticks to its roots any day.
(5)Rohan P.
Went to this place one late night after a crappy travel day. It was one of the better Italian places. I had simple pasta with tomato cream sauce and it was great. They also had decent selection of affordable wine. Wait people were nice and patient with dietary restrictions.
(4)Eric F.
Wonderful! The buffalo mozzarella salad is an excellent starter. We ordered the rosette pasta and the squid ink fettuccine and enjoyed sharing them as they are VERY different dishes- the rosette is very rich and the fettuccini is more mild and subtle. Both are wonderful.
(5)Katrina L.
Amazing food, and especially for the North End their prices are reasonable. Everything is delicious (biggest props to the Mediterranean lasagna and the chicken parm) and cooked to perfection! Extremely generous and sweet owners and staff...they honestly treat you like you are family, ok maybe not family..perhaps royalty is more applicable here. ;) Can't wait to go back!!
(5)Timothy B.
Went here for some good Italian in the North End. I enjoyed my chicken parm and my girlfriend liked her shrimp scampi, but it was a little pricey for some pasta with 4 pcs of shrimp. I guess that's what you get in a touristy area. The real let down was the service. Where we were seated was cramped and the waitresses were constantly bumping into our table. Also, our waitress forgot about us when our meal was done and it took about 20 min to get the check. She seemed to be paying more attention to the wealthy couple a few tables down.
(3)Keith G.
A fun local place in the old Italian part of town. Loud but friendly. Food was good enough but not out of this world.
(4)Rocket C.
Went with the family. Liked it! Going back. Limoncello is in North Square, which is probably the prettiest place in the North End, and one of the most charming "squares" in Boston. You should see North Square in the daylight; it really is lovely. The lemon-yellow awning makes the restaurant easy to find. The interior is nothing to write home about; we were nearly elbow-to-elbow with other tables and the decor is standard North End Family-Run Restaurant (clean, simple). Recessed lights in the drop-tile ceiling. No music, thankfully. Our waitress, as it turned out, was the chef's daughter. Service was very attentive, although the place was slammingly busy. Prices were reasonable for the amount and quality of the food. Stuffed artichoke was yummy; we also had the antipasto platter, followed by chicken piccata, pasta with marinara and meatballs, pasta with shrimp and creamy tomato sauce, and veal saltimbocca. Wine list was varied and our selection was very good. Complementary glass of limoncello at the end was my first ever, and very tasty! In a world of corporate restaurants, it was so nice to feel like we were in someone's family restaurant. The food was good, the service was busy but friendly and attentive. It felt authentic, because it was. I'll go back.
(4)Marlene F.
Despite having reservations, we were seated at the worst table in the restaurant; by the front reception next to the fax machine and other phones even though there were other tables available. As far as the food goes, I had heard so many good things about this place that I had to try it. Obviously the people that spoke highly of it had not been to any other Italian restaurants to have a baseline. Save your money and go to any other restaurant in the North End for a real taste of Italian cooking.......
(1)Lindsay B.
A friend of mine visited Boston with her family who were visiting from Calabria Italy and we took them here because the food was from their region and it seemed like a good fit. It was a great fit. The whole group (except me) spoke in their italian dialect with the owner and waiters, so they were thrilled and felt at home! The food was really good, and I've visited plenty other popular restaurants in the North End. My chicken dish was great and my friend ordered the Limoncello pasta dish with shrimp (I kept stealing bites!). All the italians went with the veal parm, all of which loved it and said everything was very fresh. One of the best parts about the meal was the bread served with marinated olives...yum. I'd definitely dine here again.
(4)Sarah M.
Went to Limoncello a couple nights ago and was not disappointed. I had the tagliolini with jumbo shrimp which Michael (the iconic Italian waiter who has worked there since time began) recommended and my date had the squid Ink fettucini with lobster meat. Both were very good, but the squid ink pasta dish was better (I hate it when I get out ordered!). But both dishes fade in my memory in comparison to the meatballs we had as an appetizer (isn't that a funny appetizer? It was a featured app.) It isn't even enough to say that they were the best meatballs I have ever eaten in my life. They were AMAZING. I will remember them for decades. I will sing about them. I will write journal entries about them. If I take up pottery, I will sculpt them. They were that good. Why not five stars? The service at the end was pretty weak -- we were ditched for quite a while and couldn't get coffee/tea, which was a bit of a drag, and the atmosphere, while fine, wasn't as charming as places like Carmen or Trattoria de Monica. BUT - overall a nice experience. And, oh the meatballs.
(4)cosette h.
For me, dining is not just about the food or wine, it also is about the service. This service was far below par with complete with a rude waitress. She began the meal by telling one of my fellow dinners, "I guess we could do that," when the dinner requested a different cut of pasta. The waitress' attitude was appalling. She was completely unchallengeable about the wine list and could even answer simple questions as to what was dry or not. (Many places list the wine sweet to dry or vice versa but this was even beyond our dear server's capacity) The food was good, severely inflated price, even for the North End. I had the five cheese ravioli special which was excellent and defiantly not frozen pasta. However, the table ordered the meatball appetizer and the meatballs are cold in the middle and had to be sent back. The bus boy was cordial and very helpful. He should be the one serving the guests and not haughty waitresses. We came here on recommendation, spent almost $300, and we will never return again
(1)Wendy H.
Honestly the best food I have ever tasted...Sorry Mom! Stopped in while having a business meeting. Waitstaff super friendly and knowledgeable. Every bite was so delicious! I will absolutely go there again. Prices very reasonable. Nice relaxing environment, just all around great place to eat!
(5)Stephen Y.
I went here with three friends; all of us are avid amateur cooks. Many times we'll go to interesting restaurants together and feel like the meals we get are good, but within the range of what we could conceivably prepare at home if we put a bit of effort into it. Not at Limoncello. We were blown away by both the quality of the ingredients and the care used in putting them together. Melt-in-your-mouth delicious carpaccio. Creamy risotto. Perfectly balanced pasta sauces. And a stuffed pork chop in marsala sauce that was so good I nearly cried in delight. The atmosphere was also wonderful. Limoncello has that boisterous, big Italian family feel. Also, the wait staff was very knowledgeable about their menu and how to pair wines with it. This is now THE place I take friends and family to in the North End.
(5)Johnny O.
had reservations here with my wife and some friends and their family. they all talked about this place in the past so i was looking fwd to eating here. well service was good, bottles reasonably priced . had the meat ball for app. it was tasty. broke it up into smaller pieces to share. my wife had the stuffed chicken which she liked and i had the special that night which was baby lamb on the bone.. it was good, very tender and juicy. don't remember what everyone else had but they enjoyed their dinner as well. i dont remember desert b/c i indulged too much with wine. nothing spectacular, just a good dinner and a good time with friends. will definitely come back again though..
(3)Karen S.
Went Patriots weekend from reviews and it was very good. I tried the Rosette Pasta dish, which was amazing. My daughter had the Chicken Parm, which she liked a lot. I was just bummed that they did not do Lunch Menu at 12 noon? Maybe because it was the weekend, but website did not state that exception. It was worth the dinner price though...I was happy. The bread and olives was super yummy! Quality bread is important when dining, it shows they care! Cant go wrong! Amazing service too, our waiter was a delight!
(4)Brittany S.
Off the beaten path of Hanover street, just around the corner on North Street, you'll find one of the North End's gems - Limoncello. My colleague and I were in Boston for work and were in search of a foodie experience without the headache of the long waits that often accompany the more touristy restaurants. We decided to head over to Giacomo's, but found that the wait was more than we were willing to tolerate. So we headed to Limoncello instead and boy were we glad we did. The Rosette is to die for, a must-have. I went back two nights later and ordered it again - it's that good. The wine list is decent, there's something for everyone. Word on the street is that the owner used to wait tables on Hanover until he won the lottery and used his winnings to open up Limoncello. Overall a great experience and a restaurant I plan to go back to the next chance I get.
(5)Dennis S.
I went to school in New York, I lived in an Italian, Jewish, and Irish neighborhood, I being the latter! =) So I know good Italian when I get it! I found Ristorante Limoncello to be just fantastic. My waitier was hilarious yet not to familiar. We even got a visit from the owner a Gentleman named Maurizio, ( also warm funny and very inviting) I had one of the best Caesar salads ever The Romaine was crisp and fresh the dressing was light and packed with flavor and just the right amount of aged parmigiano cheese, I also had the Pollo Francese, chicken was perfectly cooked, the lemon white wine sauce was absolutely perfect, not to tangy!! My date and I were treated like we were regulars even though it was our first time. I really like this place and the people there, so I will be back for more! To my new friends at Limoncello,(Ottimo lavoro Grazie! =) for all you slackers that means thank you great job! =)
(5)Craig S.
I liked the chicken, carpacio, wine, and the namesake it self the Lemoncello. Staff dealt with our 10 person party well. Owner personally asked me how the meal was. good experience - menus a little dated but its classic
(4)Lenny A.
While the food was ok, I had the fice cheese raviolis and it was ok, but very price forwhat you get, but to me the primary reason I will never go back here again was the service. When one of my friends asked about changing the tpe of pasta on a particular dish the waitress asked why she would want to do that. When I asked what wine she might suggest with a particular meal she said the white wine..........duhhhhh are you freaking serious.......ther wer 5 of us and we never felt so rushed in our lives.................Its is a restuarant that has to compete with many great Italian eateries in the North End .......So when yor in a competitive market you need to do waht.......offer some freaking decent service. The Staff was clueless and it was evient that they wanted the table......The peole at the table next to use had the exact same complaint. I will never go there again, I would rather go to Stregas, or Monicas, or Nico'sor whatever.............this place is over priced for the service you recieve........
(1)Nicole M.
this review is for the rosette pasta only - i had this dish well over 6 months ago and i still am thinking about it. dying to go back for it. TO DIE FOR!!!!
(5)Suzanne G.
Very good place to have authentic Italian food in the North End where every other place is an authentic Italian food place. Husband and I had a late lunch here on a Saturday when every tourist in the world was taking pictures in front of Paul Revere's house next door. Dang that Freedom Trail. It was a sunny lovely Saturday afternoon and we were seated by the large open windows with charming flowers in the window boxes. We had a bottle of chianti with our lunches; for starters my husband ordered the baby squid special and I had a small baby green salad. The bread is super good, chewy inside and crunchy outside. Main courses: husband had eggplant parmesan and I had the house specialty Rosette Limoncello. Long ribbon pasta curled with strips of proscuitto, and mushrooms and basil in a creamy tomato sauce. The pasta is wrapped to look like rosettes, get it? Really good. Great service, fake an Italian accent and I bet you'll get a discount.
(4)CC i.
I think this was possibly the best Italian dinner I have had in years if not ever. There is some tough competition out west too. We had the Rosette with truffle oil (I think that is what it was called, comes out looking like a rose) - it was amazing. I also LOVED their olive oil and bread. I wasn't crazy about the artichoke appetizer, but the other appetizer with imported buffalo mozzarella was great. Worth going slightly off the main drag to eat there.
(5)Sean M.
Simply some of the best Italian food I've ever had. I live in San Francisco, but each time I visit my parents, who live in Maine, we go here at least once. My family has been going here for years, and we have never been disappointed. The staff, atmosphere, neighborhood, and of course food are far above par. You know you're in the right Italian restaurant when most of the patrons look like they just step off the set of the Godfather.
(5)Bryan R.
Ate here many Valentine's days ago. Can't say I remember what we had but the entire dinner was great. I was told to say hi on behalf of one of the owner's friends which I passed along to the waitress. A few minutes later he came over to talk with us and poured shots of limoncello for us. It was a really nice touch and endcap for the evening.
(5)Monica M.
Love this place! Came after walking out of a restaurant around the corner. The pasta Limoncello is divine! My husband had the salmon and devoured it. Very reasonable and nice atmosphere.
(5)Jen M.
I'm still here waiting for my food, so I can't rate that. My one star is based on the following: we are seated, waiter says "there are no specials tonight." Table right next to us sits down minutes later, and the same waiter enthusiastically and eloquently reads the specials to them, including apps and entrees definitely not on the menu. Really??
(1)Beth B.
Great staff, friendly good service! The Limoncello was out of this world good--the perfect combination of sweet, tart, chill and smooth! The ricotta pear dessert was a nice pair with the Limoncello for a great way to end a meal or walk through the North End.
(5)Jason R.
We visited Limoncello in the Little Italy area of Boston this past weekend and thoroughly loved it! The owner of the restaurant and our server were genuinely happy to have us and they treated us like we were from the neighborhood. We enjoyed some of "grandma's" meat balls and their famous rosette pasta and it was all wonderful.
(4)Kristi W.
Limoncello gets a thumbs up for atmosphere and service. Their food left us wondering if we had just ordered all the wrong things. I have received lots of rave reviews for Limoncello from trusted friends and when I got the chance to go, I was really excited. We were a party of 3 and walked right in around 6:30 on a Wednesday night and were able to sit right down. The host and server were very attentive taking our drink orders and explaining the specials. We all had the Caprese salad and it was very enjoyable, with buttery mozzarella and fresh basil. I had the Tagiolini al Limoncello figuring that homemade pasta and the name of the restaurant in the dish must mean it's about the best of who they are. Sadly, I got a plate of strangely cooked pasta, some almost raw, covered in a greasy tomato-cream sauce topped with 4 large and overcooked shrimp. I think this dish has the potential for greatness if it were a little less heavy in the sauce department and a little more al-dente in the shrimp department. If there was arugula on my plate, I didn't see it. My friends had the steak special which neither said a word about. Later my colleague said that her steak wasn't particular flavorful and commented that the other person with us, who had gone home didn't say a word about her food either. I was sad that I didn't try some of Mama's Meatballs or the other classic dishes that were arriving at other tables because those people seemed really happy with what they had. We did share a wonderful canoli for desert that almost made up for the overcooked dinner.
(3)Erin B.
Last night, for my birthday, my boyfriend brought my sons and I here for dinner. It was fantastic and likely the best North End experience I've ever had. The owner greeted and seated us and was very personable; sharing funny stories about things that happened to him that day. Our waiter and the rest of the waitstaff were also fabulous. Just got a really good vibe there and felt "taken care of" with just the right amount of attention. The food was extremely good. Loved the olives and bread, which they kept replenishing at a perfect rate. Their antipasto is also delicious. For dinner, I had their squid ink fettuccini (i.e. black pasta) with maine lobster and tomato cream sauce. Very good! I recommend their house Chianti, but their limoncello is what makes me long for our next rendezvous. ;) The whole experience was delicious and the atmosphere was casual and fun, not stuffy or pretentious. It was absolutely perfect and I enjoyed every minute! There's something for everyone to enjoy - even kids (10 and up). Audible clues during our meal indicated that they loved every bite of their lasagna!! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Steve H.
Meh. I've experienced better. There's no Valet, and no parking. You're greeted either by a stout host in a poorly fitted suit, or the owner in jeans/blazer and pointy shoes. Both are pretty curt. My waiter was local, probably grew up in an Italian house, and pretended to speak Italian. He just pronounced most words in an Italian accent, others were pronounced in a Boston accent. The bread was pretty good, olives okay. The carpaccio was good and, but the smoked salmon didn't blow me away. The buffalo mozzarella was good, but tomatoes nothing special. I believe there was dried basil on it too. Only primo piatto we had was the rosette special. It was nothing special, fresh pasta rolled with cheese and mediocre prosciutto. Sauce was pretty good, but not great, and I'm glad they featured montasio cheese, but you couldn't taste it grated. I got the only chicken dish on the menu, rolled with "ham" and fontina, it was dry and nothing special. Other dishes didn't blow me away. We ordered the limoncello, seemingly the house specialty, but it just never came. Also got a tiramisu, and it was a premade frozen one. Definitely better places in Boston, and probably better places in the North End.
(2)Lisa M.
I've been here several times, but last nights experience compelled me to write a review. We had a party of seven. We took our time with wine and anitpasto. All were above average. One of the people in our party has a wheat allergy, and when we informed the waitress, she had many suggestions. Not only that but the chef came out and personally spoke to us about it. For people with celiacs dining out can be sometimes stressful. At Lemoncello it was very reassuring for her. Service above average, great for large parties!
(5)Darren S.
I'm still looking for that perfect Italian meal in the North End. Went here b/c of a local's recommendation and it was okay, good but not great. Lobster ravioli had no chunks or signs of fresh good meat. Veal chop was nice but sauce was bland and lacked seasoning. Marinara was fantastic and I should have ordered basic pasta. I'd go back for that but nothing else. Bread, olive oil, wine was all very good. Service was okay but not outstanding. We were charged for an app we never received. They took it off the bill no questions asked but the waitress never acknowledge the error or apologized. I expected more on all levels.
(3)Mimi H.
Let me start off by saying I was drunk before i even got here. Me and my buddy spent the better half of this day at Harpoon's Beer fest. On our way home we were all like "Let's go eat in the North End, Who the fuck is stopping us!!" cuz we're so bad ass. So he takes me to this place. Omg!! Everything as so good. I never wanted the food to end! The service was awesome and fast. At frist I felt like the place was a little too fance to just go without plannig but everything was just so good that I didn't care. We both got something cheesey with shrimp. The sauce was pretty good but the pasta wa sooooo delish you could totes tell it was homemade! We also got a bottle of wine and expesso. Everything was A plus. I recommend it for any special occasion... or whenever you're feeling bad ass.
(5)J T.
Can't go wrong with the squid ink fettuccine - amazing. Best Italian meal I've had in quite some time.
(5)Joey H.
Another great selection made during our trip to Boston. Walking down Hanover was a street of different, yet similar foods. Unsure with what we wanted, we were referred to try Giacomo's, but that place was full and the wait was forever. Another recommendation was Limoncello's. Between the two, I'll prefer both because they each have such delicious food. Italian food is so very much mouthwatering. The ristorante was nicely decorated and everyone was enjoying themselves. The only odd placement was the tv in the background near the bar, but I guess it's what keeps those at the bar stay and order more drank. I said drank. What I'll never forget about this place is Mama's meatball spaghetti, Markham Merlot 2005 wine, my small taste of limoncello (not for me), and the fact that next door is paulreverehouse.org house. Walking down the street, you could see the huge yellow Limoncello sign, you can't miss it. And yes, there's no parking, but lucky us, we walked everywhere and everywhere. Wait, did that sound right? Anyway, the scenery was great, the service was excellent, and the Italian experience was the best I've ever had. After, we were thanked by I think the owner of the ristorante. He looked so respectable and serious, but showed ownership and...it was something like out of an Italian based movie. Other than that, twas great.
(5)Sheila F.
Perfect, my absolute favorite North End restaurant. I've been going here for any special occasion since I was 16. The food is always delicious, the servers are friendly and love to get to know their customer a little bit and the owner is usually there on weekends just to make sure your meal is delicious. They only have a wine and liqueor selection but the waiter will usually offer you a free limoncello with desert. I've had everything from veal to chicken to ravioli here and it's always been satisfying. It can get packed on the weekends so make a reservation but at least it's not on Hanover street so you won't be surrounded by tourists. Definitely go here.
(5)Michelle K.
Not the best Italian food I have ever had, but a nice night out. I'm of the belief, though, that you can get a great meal for not a lot of money. Because of that belief, I just can't give Limoncello more than 3 stars. The night started out on a bad foot... 12 of us were dining at Limoncello together that night, and because we had such a large party we made our reservations days in advance. However, when we showed up, there was no where to seat us. We were told that a couple had been there since 5pm and were not getting up - it was 8. After about a half an hour, we were seated with only 7 chairs and the promise to add more once the couple left. About an hour after our reservation, we were finally all seated. I know you can't just shove someone out of their seat, but SHEEESH. OK, the meal... I had the linguine red clam - good but not the best. Someone outside recommended a meal with rolled pasta and cream sauce so my boyfriend ordered it. That was good stuff. If anyone speaking Italian recommends a dish here, get it. I've learned my lesson. The wine was tasty, and the night with friends was good, but paying $50/person for an average dish and 3 glasses of wine was not a reason to come back. :-\
(3)Lisa T.
My favorite Italian restaurant in Boston. The reason for that is not because it's "innovative", "cool" or "nostalgic". It's good, real, Italian food. It's the kind of stuff you can't get at a chain restaurant or local Americanized pasta place. If what you're expecting is chicken parm, spaghetti with meatballs and lasagna, this isn't the place you're looking for. The pasta and proteins are great, and the specials they have usually sound appetizing, so make sure to ask your waiter about them. Start the meal with cloth napkins, good bread, amazing olives, a glass of wine. Good for smaller families and dates. I came with a small group of friends and it was one of the most memorable meals we had, mostly because of the good food.
(5)Paul A.
Food was bland and appetizer tepid in warmth. Service was lousy; we had to beg for oil, they messed up one persons plate, and forget who ordered what. Prices are far too high for what you get and especially compared to other restaurants in the North End. I'm an Italian and the food was merely "ok" at best, if you got lucky and got it warm. The service? Forget it. Nice people but very slow. Took 45 min to get the check. Another 25 to collect the card. And $15 for 3 cold meatballs? Are they nuts?! Avoid.
(1)Kiki K.
I got the squid ink pasta-- except I got it as a frutti di mare, since I'm not crazy about lobster nor cream sauce. It was good. Boyfriend got that rosette pasta-- very good. However, they kind of make up the prices, at least for the wine and dessert. This is the kind of place where a waitress brings you a written receipt at the end...yeah just like takeout in Chinatown ha. Our bottle of wine was charged $10 more (which was corrected). The dessert we got was literally a wineglass of some kind of citrusy sorbet. In a very small wineglass. $8. Bottom line: good enough to try. The rosette pasta is great, but it is a heavier type of dish. Seating is actually fairly spacious for Boston standards. But definitely go somewhere else for dessert.
(3)C T.
Came here years ago for a graduation celebration. It was delicious! I had the Fettucine Al Nero Di Seppia Con Astice (aka Squid Ink Fettucine with Lobster Meat)- SOOOOOO GOOOOD! Finally remembered which restaurant is was recently? Will be paying a visit soon (hopefully!)
(4)Vicky H.
Love it here!!! Great service, great food, awesome time! Whenever I come into Boston, this is where I enjoy going.
(5)Aaron H.
I love it! So good, nice hospitality, right next to Paul Revere's house! Food is the best. Personally this is my FAVORITE restaurant for dinner. Go there, you'll enjoy it.
(5)d d.
We are SO over the North End. No parking, long lines, and menus that are wicked repetitive make for a tiring night where all you really get is full. No more! We finally found a North End restaurant worth the drive and wait. First of all and perhaps most importantly, they offer rosetti on their regular menu - which I cannot spell with confidence, but I can eat it with abandon. We haven't seen this in too many places, and at Limoncello they've perfected it. (It's quite rich and works nicely as a shared appetizer.) Our other meals have also been very nice. Our meats have been cooked perfectly, the pasta specials have always been an original (and seasonal) twist on old standards, and our fishes have been flavorful and memorable. The first time we went, my husband ordered the veal special. I had a taste of it, as I always do when he orders veal, and I always turn up my nose at it and happily return to my own dish. But, when I tried his veal at Limoncello, I considered asking him to return to the car because I'd forgotten something so that I could gobble it up in his absence. There are a few negative reviews here. I suppose with any restaurant, you get a bad night or an unhappy diner. And there really is a lot of boring Italian in the world. But the last time we went to Limoncello's with the whole family, I tried the kids' spaghetti and meatballs, and I'm not gonna lie to you... even that was impressive.
(4)Marybeth P.
Went to Limoncello Restaurant while Visiting Colleges last weekend..I must say the food was good but will not go back due to the service of our waitress... She was obviously annoyed with our mere presence..we did not know initially they did not have a liquor license and she was very annoyed we did not order wine or beer...she was probably a pretty 40 something woman but we couldn't tell by the constant scowl on her face...another server served our food and a busboy removed our plates and she never returned till it was time for the check...I would have rather given the tip to our very attentive busboy...will not go back..there are too many other great friendly Italian places in the North end to try...
(1)Shelby D.
Service was excellent although somewhat rushed, food was delicious and staff were wonderful, authentic, friendly, and polite. Great house sangiovese too! Try the lobster ravioli, but make sure you save some bread to soak up the yummy red cream sauce!
(4)Terry W.
Oh well, not good service. Food was ok, not worth the prices. Would have been better off going to maggianos. Uncleaned shrimp, plates slopped with food, etc.... I should have forced my wife to returnto cantina italiana. Seem to not like Asians, as we waited a long time and everyone around us was being served...hoping it was just an off day, but I'll never find out as I'm staying away.
(1)Jennifer S.
Almost afraid to give this place a 5-star rating because I love it so much and don't want it to become too busy! This place not only has the best Italian food anywhere in Boston, but the atmosphere is authentic and wonderful for business meetings or a romantic night out. The staff is actually Italian, which is becoming less common in the North End. Try the pork chop, it is not on the menu, but it is always a special.
(5)Mark H.
I was in Providence, R.I., recently and took the commuter rail up to Boston for a day, during which I had lunch here with a couple of friends who live in Boston. The meal started with really delicious bread, after which I had the veal parmagiana, which was excellent and, at $15 (the lunch menu on the webpage says $13, but I seem to recall it being $15, although I may be wrong about this), quite reasonably priced. (The dinner menu is a bit more expensive, by the way.) One of my friends had the veal saltimbocca, which he enjoyed, and the other had a panini, which was so huge that she took half home; she really enjoyed it too. My veal came with pasta; my friend's did not. My portion of veal was large enough that under normal circumstances I would have taken half back to my hotel room (which had a refrigerator) to eat the next day, but since I was wandering around Boston in the hot sun for the rest of the afternoon, that seemed inadvisable, so I manfully forced myself to eat the whole thing, and then wound up skipping dinner that night. The North End is a fun place to visit in Boston, and is full of excellent restaurants; this one is now at the very top of my list.
(5)Jaime M.
The food at Limoncello is VERY good! I think one of the most important things about an Italian restaurant is the sauce and their sauces are SOOO good! The meatballs are awesome as well. The service is super friendly and make you feel rigt at home.
(4)Steve A.
Don't seat us at a table, take our order then walk over and tell us "you need to finish your dinner in 20 minutes because we have a large party coming in and need the table." screw you limoncello. If you knew you had a large party then just ask us to wait a few minutes for another table to open up. Poor planning, poor management and poor customer service skils. The food was decent enough but I won't go back ever again due to the service.
(1)Jenna B.
Loved it! The service was great, food wonderful, portions bountiful, and prices reasonable. The Limoncello dessert that they give you at the end was tasty and refreshing. Next time I'm in Boston, I'm coming back! ~The only minor drawback was parking, be prepared to walk!
(5)Emma T.
I've pass this place a ton of times but it was only recently that I tried this place. It was wonderful. I took my mom here for a nice dinner for her birthday and it was a busy night and we didn't have a reservation. I thought there was no way we'd get in, but the owner made such an effort to seat us and keep us there an happy. He gave us a free glass of wine while we waited at the bar and sat us within 10 minutes. Our waiter was a little snooty, but the owner continued to check on us throughout our meal and was just so sweet. He's very attentive and aware of what's going on, and very good at running his business. Food was fantastic as well. I had the eggplant parm which was great, and even better it didn't come with a side of pasta but steamed veggies. It was filling but still light. It's definitely a busy place but you can still have a conversation and you're never forgotten. Definitely a must go to while in North End.
(5)Jake M.
This place had potential, but by the end of the meal I vowed not to return. While many people enjoyed their meals, here is my feedback: -The house wine was the worst thing I've ever drank. I know, I know...it's the house wine, but for $32 I expect more than watered down grape juice. -The restaurant was very hot, and when we commented we were told "That's because the windows are open. If we close them, it'll be nice and cool but that'd be rude to the other customers." -If I'm paying $50+ per person, I expect the waiter to know who ordered what (that's why paper was invented). Instead, he kept yelling out orders and handing scalding hot plates to people rather than putting them down with a dishcloth. -The swordfish one person ordered was bad. Once we flagged someone down, they grabbed it and ran before asking what the person wanted (which was to just send it back and stick with her app at that point in the meal). The waiter then came back and said that someone in the kitchen ate it and it was fine, so it was probably the tomatoes on it that "made it fishy"...don't you hate "fishy tomatoes". -I ordered the "signature dish" which was this pasta/meal rollup. The waiter emphasized it was the "signature dish" about 30 times, so I figured "how can the mess up their most popular dish"...well, they did. They put cheese on top and broil it for a minute to melt it. The only problem is that they broiled it for faaaaarrrr too long, so the pasta was hard and crunchy. I had a hard time cutting it, and it tasted like chewy cardboard. The bottom part that wasn't overcooked was amazing, so the dish had real potential! -We were asked 4 times (no exaggeration) if we wanted "regular" or bottled water. I get it, you want to charge me $7 per glass of water. Here's a tip, if I order tap water, I want tap water throughout the whole meal. -The waiter never took our menus, so I eventually just collected them all (because they're the size of a refrigerator box) and returned them to the hostess stand myself. -One assistant waiter poured out the remainder of a bottle of wine and then started talking to someone while holding the bottle over my head and waving her hands about. It's amazing my shirt wasn't covered in the remnants of the bottle!
(2)Caroline T.
This is not a memorable restaurant. It has the feeling of dining in a cafeteria. My food was cold and it was not tasty. I couldn't get the attention of the waiter to get hot food. The service was poor overall, too. The prices were high for this quality of dining. The restaurant was mostly empty, but other restaurants had waiting lines out the door. The restaurant was a recommendation from the concierge at our hotel. I suggest that you ask friends or locals for recommendations , not a concierge.
(1)Stephanie H.
This place was good. we went here as a result from the hotel concierge while staying in Boston with family. Granted I am living in Salem for 5 plus years now and boston area for six plus years and walking around the north end I have never found a bad place- however the concierge at the hotel called the day of and made a reservation for 8. We were sat right away at the same time as another party of 8 or 10 and another party of about the same size was coming in soon and the rest of the place was packed. iwth that said- the food was good. Not maybe worth the price- it could have come down about 2-4 dollars per dish but it was good. Got the apps fast which made us wonder if they were pre made especially with the scallop dish that my father in law got but waiter was attentive food was real good and filling. Prices and apps fast service are the only questions
(4)Tara B.
This is our favorite place to go in the North End!! So surprised at seeing some negative comments! They have equal or better prices ($15 - $25 for most plates) than some of the other restaurants nearby (This IS Boston...prices aren't cheap) and they are cozier by far (I dislike 'snooty' places). We've been going there for several years now and the food has never been less than fantastic. Our favs are the black squid ink fettucine, Linguine Frutti Di Mare, Tagliolini Al Limoncello and the Lasagna Mediteraneo! The service has been stellar each time. Hmmm good wines too..love the Steele Pinot Noir! We come here as often as possible :) This place is my "comfort" restaurant...I know whenever I walk in the door that I'll have a fabulous time! Oh, can't believe I almost forgot to mention the Limoncello shots. Just lovely, especially refreshing on a hot day!
(5)Maria P.
I've been here three times, once for dinner and twice for lunch. All three times were very good. The service was quick and friendly. The food was really good, although I'm yet to try many of the restaurants in the North End. Overall, for Italian food it was excellent. The choices were ample and the restaurant had a cozy feel to it.
(4)Austin R.
I came here with my friend and his parents a while ago and was delightfully impressed. It's a great atmosphere inside the restaurant and the owner, in true Italian fashion, kept the wine flowing all night. Or I should say he successfully encouraged my friend's parents to keep the wine flowing all night. The meatball appetizer was good but I've made better at home. The squid ink pasta was pretty tasty but not the best I've had. I guess what really made it for me was the atmosphere of this place.
(4)Lorraine F.
I had a business dinner to arrange, and this is where I brought my guests. The food was simply amazing. The chef decided to prepare a tasting menu for us, and we were all simply impressed. The seating was comfortable, and the temperature in the restaurant was just right. (I usually get cold in restaurants, but they have heaters near the windows.) The server was really attentive and kept bringing us wines and dishes to try.
(5)Shawn W.
food and service was fantastic. Came on a saturday afternoon, no reservations. Had caeser salad and chicken parm. Both outstanding. Would highly recommend. Pricing very reasonable
(5)Alex R.
WOW!!! Having spent part of my childhood living in Italy I was used to authentic Italian food. But this place was amazing. The best tasting italian food I have had in my life. I have come back about 8 times since my first visit but only now signed up to yelp and have to write about this place. The Lobster Ravioli is fantastic. The Roseti (Pasta with procuto wrapped into it) is amazing. The Scalops Limocello melts in your mouth. In short the food is great. The service ahs always been superb and the place itself is cute and inviting. Highly Highly Recommend it!!!
(5)Michael P.
If you're in the North End of Boston make sure you stop in for dinner at Limoncello. The staff is very friendly and makes the experience even better. We sampled pretty much everything on the menu and the two things that stood out the most to me was the Swordfish and the Sea Bass. If your not in the mood for fish try the veal it was just as good. Make sure you have a glass of red or white wine nearby as well. Plus the formaggio was excellent. When you're done make sure you stay for an espresso and a shot of limoncello with your gelato. If your in Boston looking for a great dinner go to Limoncello's. And if he's there make sure to say "Hi!" to Armando, everyones favorite North End neighbor! Buon Appetito!
(5)Alessandra H.
Corrado took very good care of us, as always... We all enjoyed our meals, my favorite were the rosette and the veal saltimbocca! Delicious!
(4)Elke H.
We had a lovely family meal there. We were a party of nine, including 2 children and we had made a reservation. The Yelp heading says it isn't good for kids, so we were a little concerned about bringing a three year old and a five year old. It is true that they don't have a kids' menu, but they served plain penne with cheese which both kids liked a lot. The restaurant staff was exceptionally friendly and accommodating. The three year old had to make several trips to the bathroom and after about the 4th trip, a manager (not really sure what his position is) offered to show them something more interesting than the restrooms, so they got a tour of the kitchen! More importantly, the food was delicious! Several of us had the rosette, which was excellent. We shared some cannoli for dessert- scrumptious! We will definitely go back to this restaurant. With good food, attentive service and friendliness to children, it was a wonderful evening out.
(5)Martha D.
Went to this restaurant for lunch on the recommendations of the other Yelp users. We loved the atmosphere. They had all the windows open wide and it was like sitting outside but we were actually inside. Food was good. I had the Veal Parm, veal was a bit tough but still good. Fast and efficent service, clean, very reasonably priced, charming atmosphere. Parking was tough but we eventually found a free spot on Hanover Street.
(4)C. N.
In case you were curious, the food at nearly every single restaurant in the North End is exactly the damn same: competent but not especially memorable Italian classics with entrees in the $20-$35 price range. That means that the only ways these places can distinguish themselves is via host experience (i.e is it a complete PITA to get seated,) table service and space in your table setting, and most do, negatively. Limoncello was just fine on the latter three, which helps their score. To their credit, they seated seven of us with alacrity on a busy night. And in keeping with every single North End restaurant, it was well overpriced for what it actually delivered.
(3)Lola M.
this place is SO unoriginal. i think Macaroni Grill has a better menu and it would have been much tastier and half the price. everything we had was pretty generic and i would never go back - not even for a free meal. the risotto was runny, my husband's veal parmesan came with a side of cheap pasta and what looked like store bought sauce. big disappointment. i suggest Piatinni on Newbury if you want delicious and innovative food.
(1)Melissa C.
This was a great little gem off Hanover in the north end. The food was great, easily as good as the Hanover Street restaurants at a significantly lower price. We had a great waiter, good wine selections, and an all around lovely time. I would definately go back.
(5)Stellina M.
Great original and authentic Italian in the North End. Prices are reasonable, food is great and service and ambiance are perfect. Everybody knows the story of how it started! Just meet the protagonists, they are always there.
(4)Russ S.
Went Saturday night for my wife's birthday. Fantastic. Best meal I have had in the North End so far. My wife had the veal saltimboca, which she has tried at many other restaurants. She eats veal pretty often. She says this was the best veal she has ever had in her life, without question. I had the fruitti de mare which was fantastic. My daughter had the lobster raviolis with vodka sauce...incredible. My son had the fettucini de Nero with the home made squid inl noodles...so good. Wait staff was extremely busy, but very attentive. Prices were average for the North End. Portions were average. BUT, I'd rather have an average portion of amazing food, than a giant plate full of average food, which does happen at certain North End restaurants. And to hear our waiter sing Happy Birthday in his deep baritone voice with the heavy Italian accent just topped off the entire night.
(5)Julie R.
My family and I made last-minute reservations on a Saturday night (our hotel concierge recommended it) and Limoncello completely exceeded our expectations. It's got a nice and comfortable atmosphere, in addition to being in a great location in North End (just down the street from Paul Revere's house). The food was amazing. From the bread and olives they put on the table the moment you sit down, to that day's meatball appetizer special, to all of the pasta selections, to the limoncello at the end--we were pleased every step of the way. The service was great and everything tasted very fresh. Given the portions, location, service, quality, etc., I thought this was very affordable. I've already recommended this restaurant to friends and can't wait to go back. Double thumbs up.
(5)Peter K.
Fantastic food, excellent service. I had pasta vongole and it was so tasty. I love this place.
(5)Lynda M.
My husband and I dined here for my birthday. It was the long holiday weekend, so the city was busy, not not like a normal Saturday night in the North End. The dining room is small, and most of the larger tables were empty. We were seated next to another couple, unfortunately close enough to hear eveything they were saying. I know the North End is not known for its large dining rooms, so we ordered drinks and food, and luckily the couple eventually left. The house pinot noir was delicious, and we enjoyed the fresh bread and olives. My husband loved his Chicken Marsala, and I enjoyed the special, Risotto with lima beans and scallops. Our waiter, an older Italian gentleman was friendly and helpful. We always had fresh water, and I was even surprised with a birthday dessert (frozen Tiramisu) with a candle. As I visited the ladies room in the back of the restaurant, I noticed a small, empty bar with a TV. My husband and I decided next time we would rather sit there, where there was more privacy and space. All in all a nice experience, and we will return to eat at the bar, or to dine with friends because the larger tables were definitely more private.
(4)Jak K.
We try to hit this restaurant whenever we come to Boston. This trip it was not as good as in the past. The highlights were two fold. First Lino, the brother of the owner who hangs out there but doesn't work bought us a glass of wine while we waited at the bar. Second, my wife and I had two different salads with mozzarella cheese. She had a caprese and I a tomato, mozzarella and mixed greens. To my pleasant surprise and their credit they used two vastly different mozzarella's. It proves they are trying to be a first class restaurant. Her risotto was excellent and way more than one person could eat. My pomodora was ok and the meatballs were ok. Again the portion was overly generous and the pasta itself was perfect The service was pushy because they were very busy. Too busy to have a relaxed meal. We will come back again when they aren't so busy because I really like the place and the people. Worth a try but make a reservation and still be prepared to wait. The house made limoncello is excellent. Every other trip here I would have rated Limoncello a four.
(3)Closson M.
This was authentic italian. Including waitstaff, which was great. Reasonable pricing as well. Veal Saltimbocca was best I ever had. Wifes pasta dish...rose something, was fabulous.
(5)Reba R.
not impressed. not a very intimate setting. the food was bland. i had the lobster ravioli with a cream based sauce. sounds delicious, but didn't hold up to it's name. the house wine wasn't the best. the bread and olive oil that they bring out were bland as well. cheesy looking place that i won't be going back to .
(2)Amanda G.
I went here for my birthday a year ago, and I really enjoyed it. The service was great; our waiter was very friendly and funny. I loved the menu, and the food was delicious (especially the seafood). It wasn't too overpriced either.
(4)Dan G.
Not your normal cheese ravioli with bland red sauce. This is good, authentic, rich food. Amazing stuff and some of the best ive had so far.
(4)Brian K.
One of fav go-to's in the north end.. food and service always very consistent. the owner is a nice guy who make sure he takes care of everyone. our waiter the other nite was great and recommended some good wine. also brought us some limoncello after dinner. wine list is a bit pricey, but the entrees are reasonable. my fav is the veal saltimbocca. it is unreal w fontina cheese and wine sauce. It seems like so many places in the north end are hit or miss depending on the night. this place will not disappoint.
(4)Presha C.
So the food is amazing, the waitstaff is great, but my favorite thing that completely sealed the deal is the birthday cupcake. My friends told the waiter it was my birthday, so when we finished our dinner, out comes a singing waiter with the most delicious cupcake I've ever had. This thing had ice cream and lots of deliciousness inside. Seriously, my meal could have been terrible and it wouldn't have mattered because this cupcake was awesome. So if you go there, pretend it's your birthday!
(4)Toonie R.
This is just about our favorite North End restaurant. True, we haven't tried every single one, but every time we go someplace else (because of reviews posted on a door, or because our out-of-town guests say, "Oh let's try this one" while we're on the way taking them to Limoncello's), we've regretted it. I'm surprised at some other negative reviews, because nothing I've had there has ever tasted like it was store-bought. Everything has been scrumptious and authentic. I have travelled quite a bit in Italy, and know what the food should taste like. I've found the service to be friendly and attentive. Two little things will tip you off about the quality of a North End restaurant -- the quality of the olive oil and bread they bring (here the olive oil is very good and has real live olives in it) and the ragu (try the lasagna - oh yum! - NOT your typical American Italian lasagna by any stretch).
(5)Jay and Jenn O.
We are usually not fans of North End places and this place is the reason why- overpriced small portion food. I like "family style" places better.
(2)Stephanie W.
Awful! Never even ate there. We waited 30 minutes past our reservation as they seated 16 people who came after us (in groups of 4 or more) because they make more money from 4-tops than from a couple. Then the owner was bad-mouthing the hostess, even though he told her to seat the larger groups first. So unprofessional. Finally left and had a great dinner around the corner at Vinoteca di Monica.
(1)Colin B.
Stopped here on recommendation of the concierge at our hotel- the dish she told us was a must have was not yet ready (meatballs) as they prepare them fresh each day around 5 or 5:30. Okay, no problem- we just ordered something else to take-out as my travelling partner wanted to beat the rush hour back home. I ordered the spaghettini, and was really let down. I live in Halifax NS, which isn't exactly an Italian food mecca, yet I have had consistently more inspired dishes than this one there. The pasta/sauce ratio was about 5:1, there was hardly any flavor to the drop of sauce that was provided, and there were no vegetables or meat in the sauce. The owner/manager arrived midway through waiting for my meal and started barking grumpily at staff and was very brusque with me when I asked a question about the history of the place. I'd be willing to give them a second chance on a return dine-in visit, but I'd be sure to tell them upfront about the bad experience and that I'd best be wowed.
(1)susan l.
On a quiet Monday evening (March 21) we decided to try Limoncello Restaurant. Have heard about it but always headed to Hanover Street. Never Again will I go to Hanover Street. Our waitress was a very intelligent woman, who in our opinion should be management. She suggested to let her decide what we were going to eat and 5 for 5 we had the best meal and service we EVER had in Boston. Antipasto so fresh, pasta course was signature rosette, she made combo of sea bass and veal saltimbocca and although the desserts lacked she suggested choc hazlenut gelato with a little frangelico on it. made a simple dessert exotic! We do not drink but she even coaxed us into a bottle of wine. Thank you Limoncello for a wonderful evening. Can't wait to go back!! she also told us about the validated parking at Haymarket which no one advertises. It cost us $3.00 for 3 hours!!
(5)Seafoodie R.
Maurizio Badolato who founded this place won a million bucks on a scratch ticket and used his winnings to open a restaurant! Excellent! the Fruitti De Mare is delicious if you like your pasta loaded up with seafood! Mussels, littlenecks, two perfectly cooked jumbo shrimp and two baby octopus over a bed of spaghetti. We ordered this with white sauce rather than the standard red. The Vongole pasta (white clam sauce) is excellent, it's simple, clammy and delicious. They use fresh clams and don't pair them up with canned (lots of restaurants do this and ruin the dish) there were about 6 or 8 littlenecks with a nice light, mildly buttery clammy sauce... the Antipasto was a decent start to the meal and came with two large slices Proscuitto, 4 slices of sopressatta, a large roasted stuffed pepper, a vinegary shredded pickled pepper and a two thick slices of Italian sharp cheese. Wine is resonably priced, had a nice bottle of Pinot Grigio (Umbria) for $38, and finished the meal with Grappa!
(4)Megan M.
I was there recently for my cousin's birthday celebration. The food was tastey - I had the 'special' Monkfish and my cousin enjoyed her Lobster Ravioli. Be sure to make a reservation because they made me feel like I was crazy when I showed up before the rest of the group and we didn't have reservations. Meanwhile, there were at least 5 open tables. So not the best customer service on that end...
(3)Kiki B.
not bad, but pretty mediocre. for $35 each (including wine), you'd expect, i don't know, parmesan that's grated at the table or at least looks relatively fresh, rather than a huge bowl of the Kraft variety plopped down with a metal teaspoon with which to serve. some portions were huge, like the veal parmigiana, others were not so huge, like the chicken. i'm sure there are better places around.
(3)Debra B.
Update: came back again last week & I wondered why I was so stingy before. The food, wine & service is excellent. Do NOT miss the Rosetta!
(5)Soo K.
Our hotel concierge made a reservation for our dinner at this place. We were very surprised that the pasta came out refrigerated cold. Do they MICROWAVE their pasta? How could it be refrigerated? All the pasta dishes we had ( 4 of us) were not that good. The appetizers were OK. I would NEVER recommend this place to anyone visiting Boston.
(1)Vivi L.
I've been here 2 times and both times have been equally memorable. 6 of us came here again on Saturday night and we had 8PM reservation. When we got there, the place was packed. There were about 20 people waiting to be seated. I think everybody had 8PM reservation. I was immediately worried that they had overbooked the place and we probably have to wait for at least 1/2 hour to be seated. There is no bar area so we couldn't even hang out at the bar to get drinks first. After telling the hostess a couple times that we have 8PM reservation, he told us that they were waiting for this table to clear as there were a group of women who are just sitting there and chatting. They were done eating and just drinking water. As everybody was standing around their table waiting to be seated, they had no clue that people were actually waiting for their table. After 10 mins of waiting and this group of women refused to leave, the hostess managed to find us another table. The hostess was nice enough and he didn't want to be rude to kick those women out even though they're no longer eating. Our waiter came over immediately and was very friendly and helpful. We ordered 3 bottles of wines and on some of our choices, he suggested a comparable wine that he thought would be better. We were happy that he did that since the wines that he suggested was really good. We ended up getting the meatball, octopus ceviche, baby octopus appetizers, caprese salad, rosette, and the seafood risotto to share among all of us. Every single dish that we ordered to share was absolutely delicious. The meatball was probably one of the best meatball that I ever had. The Rosette pasta was also out of this world. We probably shouldn't have ordered so much appetizers as I was already full before my main meal showed up. I ordered the Costata di Vitello for my main dish. The veal cut was delicious and it was cooked perfectly. We ended up ordering the canoli and tiramisu to share. Both of them are equally good. As we finished eating, we can see that there are a lot regulars at this place. When you come here, it feels like you're eating a home cooked Italian meal. We were all very happy with our meal choices and we're still raving on how good the food was. I can't wait to go back again.
(5)Amica M.
Stopped in for a late lunch. The kind waitress urged me to order fast so I could get lunch prices and suggested their signature dish that was in Time Magazine; a noodle dish in a tomato cream sauce with prosciutto composed to look like a rosette. I thought it was below par, lacked flavor, and overcooked. And if it really was featured in Time Mag, it must have been in the 1970's. Glad it was a disappointing lunch, rather than a disappointing dinner.
(2)LBC G.
You can taste the love; Italian family food. Very busy but they got us in and served us beautifully. We had frutti di mare, rosettes and stuffed lamb chops; all were excellent. The meatballs are a must!! By the way, the chard and the San Giovese by the glass were excellent and the lemoncello was homemade and smooooooth.
(5)Mario P.
First time at Limoncello. I had heard good things about the quality of the food so I gave it a shot. Typical busy Friday night. I dont mind a full restaurant as long as people arent bumping into my table and me as they are walking by. Started out with the bread and olive oil along with a good sampling of olives. This was my favorite part of the meal. I had the beef carpaccio which wasnt bad. It was 5 thin slices along with a few strips of parmesan over a bed of arugula. Now for the main course: Frutta di mare over macaroni. Now im not one to complain about portions as I know its based on the the restaurant's business plan. I was given the option of liguini or ziti as a choice, both out of a box. The plate came with 2 shrimp that were hard and overcooked, a handful of littleneck clams, and a handful of mussels. The tomato sauce was okay. It was supposed to be spicy but it didnt have much of kick. The dish was loaded with cherry tomatoes, not sure why other than to make the dish appear like there was lots of food on it. At $26-27 I was not overly pleased by my meal. I have had much better at other North End establishments and I will likely cross Limoncello off my list of "go to" italian restaurants.
(2)Alan H.
Was excited to go after reading reviews. Sat down and my wife asked waitress what the "rizzoto of the day" was when she brought our bread and water. caught a nasty attitude with an "o i dont know". 20 min she never returned lol. My wife and I were dumbfounded. We left before eating so I will not comment on what I did not eat. What I can say is there was not a huge selection on the food menu and the prices on the wine list are triple what cost is. (Not only am I a wine snob, but I know for a fact because I was checking out wine spectator ratings while my wife and I were waiting on the "pay no mind" list). Was going to order one anyway, because when I go out to eat, Ill take enjoyment over price every time. We finally left when the waitress started chatting up another table next to us and once again did not acknowledge us. Luckily there are plenty of other restaurants in the area and we had a much better experience and meal at one of them. Ended up at Trattoria di Monica. Absolutely delicious :)
(1)E S.
Best Italian food ever. Fantastic Labor and presentation! Very accommodating even for the 3 yo in toe.
(5)Rebecca H.
Visiting the North End? Do not dine at Limoncello. There are so many restaurants with excellent food and service this is not one of them. Too bad the servers treat everyone like they are a tourist who has never eaten out before. Our meals were half eaten and we received the most expensive check we have ever had in the north end; having been to the area regularly over the past six years this is saying a lot. My vegetables were cold and fish not the fish I ordered. When I stated this to the server he literally lied with a story of why I am wrong. The bolognese was a joke. A positive: The olives were good.
(2)Kevin S.
We arrived at 10PM on Saturday night in the middle of a Boston blizzard. We had dinner earlier at a different restaurant, wanted to see the restaurant for a nightcap. The door was open, we went in. A waiter politely told us that the kitchen was closed. We asked if we could get a Limoncello and the waiter seemed unsure. The owner came over, welcomed us and invited us to have a drink with his group at the rear bar. They seemed to be having a drink before closing. This gentleman serves homemade Limoncello. Totally excellent and easily the best i've had outside Italy. He would not sell us a bottle but served generous glasses of this great Limoncello at the bar. It was fun. A nice room, excellent , varied menu, welcoming people and an actual ITALIAN staff. We will be certainly be back for Dinner.
(4)Jason G.
The best Limoncello I have ever had. Thats what homemade old country recipes can deliver.
(4)John B.
I wish we had one of these back home...oh man. So I was in Boston and my aunt wanted to eat here for lunch. So I said "why not!" Glad I did. Everything that we had from limoncello was GREAT! Auntie ordered the gnocchi ($12.95) but I ordered the eggplant parmigiana ($9.95). We also shared a caprese salad. After we ordered, our waiter (I think his name was Chito) brought bread and olives in olive oil. I loved it, even if it was simple. Then the inselata capresi (sliced tomato with fresh mozzerella and basil) came. Simple yet tasty as well. I was so stoked when the entrees arrived. The eggplant perfect. You just can't find anything this good in the bay area. This is right about the time when I decided to check yelp to see what they are known for or at least what people think they make well...yes i know...a bit late but whatever. In any case, people seem to like their meatballs so we ordered some. Unfortunately they don't start making them till around 4 or something like that. So we came back and picked up an order. At $15 for three it is a bit expensive. But they are delicious. I can understand why some people think the atmosphere is a bit cheesy. The waiters speak Italian. Italian music plays over the speakers. Whatever, I don't really mind. The service was excellent. Everyone was super friendly. One even gave us some suggestions as to which Italian bakeries I should hit next. In short: Delicious food, a bit expensive but worth it, service was most excellent, atmosphere is just a bit cheesy. II recommend that you stop by if you're in the north end. I will certainly do so if I have the opportunity to visit Boston again.
(5)Juno R.
so happy that I found this place... Was a little disappointed with most of the restaurants in the North End (mauricio's, Dolce Vita, Anna's). I come from an italian family and had a difficult time finding a good italian restaurant in the Boston area (moved here few years ago) until I found Limoncello! I had their Rosette Limoncello and it was delicious. My husband had the chicken marsala - said it was just perfect. Friends had the lasagna, chicken parm.. nothing but good reviews. Our waiter looked and spoke as if he came here from Italy -- was a terrific experience. I remember thinking - I better post this review when I get home --- just hope it'll be around for years to come!! I'll be back.
(5)Jennifer I.
Made a reservation here for 12 people this past Saturday. When making the reservation the lady was rude and made it difficult. I decided to go to Taranta who was much more accommodating. After having canceled my reservation at Limoncello, I received a call to confirm at 4pm and then at 6pm. I had picked up the 6pm call and explained to the man that I thought I had cancelled my reservation and he proceeded to scold me saying "everyone says that they cancelled and that I should have called earlier". After getting an earful, I hung up on this man. Meanwhile Taranta confirmed with my husband much earlier in the day and was a great experience. Based on the rude customer service I received from this restaurant, I will not be a future customer.
(1)Brittany H.
When on vacation with my dad in Boston, we decided to go to a nice dinner for my his birthday before I left town. We decided on Limoncello. This place did not disappoint! The ambiance of the restaurant was very warm and inviting, perfect for a nice dinner. As a former waitress, I'm usually very critical about the service in restaurants, and was pleasantly surprised to have a little Italian man as our waiter, who was as informative as he was cute & charming. Per his recommendation, we started with the Scallops Limoncello, which was made with their homemade limoncello--yum! It was not only delicious, but cooked perfectly as well. For dinner I had the Rosette pasta, which was in a truffle cream sauce and it is a must have for any truffle lover. You could actually taste the truffles (unlike other truffle pastas I've had) and there was a good amount of prosciutto in the pasta as well. My dad had the steak pizzaiola, which was also delicious and cooked exactly as he ordered it. We also had the house Pinot Grigio, which was pretty affordable for a bottle of wine. We were a bit skeptical, but it ended up being the perfect combo of dry & sweet, and we both loved it. The best part of my experience happened after dinner, when the waiter surprised my dad with a birthday dessert- tiramisu, which was to die for! The owner's mother even came over to wish my dad a happy birthday, and we quickly figured out where the delicious Italian recipes came from! Limoncello was amazing and I don't have a single complaint. We will def be returning!
(5)Brie K.
Love in the North End. I felt like you'd invited me into your home and had your grandmother cook for us. AMAZING.
(4)David P.
Don't eat here! This place is just plain nasty! On a scale form 1 to 10 I give it a hard 1!
(1)Sylvia J.
Horrible service. Our server treated us as though we didn't belong because we were in street clothes. He actually looked at our clothes in disgust as he seated us. Every time we wanted a water or soda refill, we had to flag him down and then remind him two or three times to bring it to us. The food was subpar, nothing to write home about. The bread was cold and hard, like it had been out for too long and the chicken parm was something that I could've made at home, nothing special whatsoever. Overall, terrible service and food that is nothing above average but overpriced. One plate runs an average of $20 and on Saturdays, they only offer the dinner menu even during lunch hours.
(1)Mike M.
Average at best based on our meal. Very good service & outgoing waiter. A/C poor. Didn't have that wow taste sensation I was looking for; particularly after having an axing meal at Bricco the night before!!
(3)Jaime D.
So after reading the reviews this sounded like a great place for an anniversary dinner. I would say it was good, but the overall experience wasn't quite 4 or 5 stars. The biggest drag was that we had reservations for 8:30 and didn't get a table until 9pm (no benches or seats). I think 2 people came in behind us and they may have even gotten a seat before us - though I'm not sure about that. So, after about 20 minutes we decided to sit at the bar in the back. It's in an odd place, and you can't really see it from the front door -- it's definitely more of a "why don't you wait here until a table opens up" kind of bar. Anyway, we sat down, and they proceeded to put placemats in front of us, bringing us bread, and laying silverware. The bread was perfect - i was starving. But the rest of it had us confused. Did they think we wanted to eat at the bar? Hmm...i spoke up just in case, to make sure they knew. So....how about the food? The food was very tasty. We started with stuffed artichoke. Tasty, but i don't actually tell what the heck it was stuffed with. Then for dinner...i had, damn, I forget. It's only Tuesday and I forget what I had on Friday night. I need some Ginko. Isn't that the stuff that makes you remember? I forget. One more thing -- i almost cut my finger on a piece of chipped glass on the table. I have no idea where it came from since none of our glasses were chipped, but there was a tiny piece of glass that I almost cut myself on. I suppose they could have cleaned the table a little better. Well, I guess that's the review for now. Ohhh - we went to Modern Pastry for dessert.....excellent.
(3)James D.
This is one of the best Italian restaurants I have ever been to. Everything I have tried is excellent. The meatball special is phenomenal. The chicken parm is the best I have had. The service is great too! They don't have a full liquor license but the wine selection is excellent!
(5)Ashley H.
Where to take out of towners is the toughest decisions. Obviously, the North End is a solid choice. We tried this place after reading Yelp reviews and since we had some extra cash, decided to splurge a bit. We ordered scallops and meatballs as appetizers. The meatballs I wasn't a fan of, but that is pretty typical. The scallops were good, but nothing outstanding. The bread and olives on the table were a plus, and as it turned out we should have eaten more of it. I ordered the squid ink pasta with lobster and tomato cream sauce. It was really delicious, but I thought it was a pretty small portion size. My boyfriend ordered the pasta de Tartufo at the recommendation of the waitress. His was awesome (he allowed me one bite) but again, portion size was a bit weak. The place is huge, lots of room and that is definitely rare in the NE. The BF appreciated the breathing room, often a point of contention for us when deciding where to dine. Overall, this was a pretty safe choice, but my go to restaurants that are less expensive are a better option for my money. Probably wouldn't go here again, but it isn't a bad place.
(3)Aimee A.
Was recommended to us by a friend. It was perfectly placed...about two doors down from Paul Revere's house, which was the last stop on the Freedom Trail North End tour. PERFECT! We went over for an early dinner (about 4pm on a Thursday), and were seated immediately. It was not crowded at that time. Service was excellent - fast, anticipatory, and friendly. We were clearly out-of-towners, and we engaged in nice conversation with the waiters. My husband ordered lobster ravioli (he LOVES ravioli), and I got the signature dish, the Rosette Limoncello. It was suggested the kids get meatball spaghetti, and that it would save us some money too. The kids loved their meatballs (supposedly the best in the city), and hubby and I loved our own dishes. One reviewer said to go for lunch, because of the price for dinner. I would agree, but we were on vacation, so splurged a bit. No regrets.
(5)Cheryl L.
Unbelievable luck, found a parking spot in the North End. Amazing. Went to Limoncello to find it mobbed. As luck would have it, we did get a table. The waitress needed some warm up time and slowly got there. Realizing we were eating fairly quickly, she seemed to nicer. However, service was impeccable and once we finished and I gave her the Tip, she seemed friendlier to us. We had the Specials, a bottle of wine. Although the food could have been hotter, very good. Always go back. Very tasty and generally friendly.
(4)Kate N.
So delicious and fresh. My husband and I stopped in at lunch and had the Chicken Saltembocca and the Gnocchi. We could have licked the plate.
(4)Merv F.
Lunch today at Limoncella and had to have the Rosette Limoncello. Was not disappointed. Fabulous! Also had the Insalata Caprese as a starter. Best ever. Gotta go here. Love the North End of Boston.
(5)Jessica H.
I liked this place and here's why. - Very Friendly staff - Good food - Reasonably priced - some things are expensive but so are many things in the North End. Other things here are average prices. So my family was in town and I wanted to take them to the North End. As a vegan the north end sucks for me. I mean really sucks. Eggs in all the homemade noodles. However I read a review that this place catered to vegans. So we went there! It was a little hard to find, North st. is strange and we ended up going the wrong direction, but finally we found the place. It's not on the main strip in the North End but close enough. It was pretty empty - only one other table (not a good sign but so what). There were like 3 wait staff that rotated around, so we never really knew who our actual server was. I told the server we were there because I heard (via a Yelp Review) they could make me a vegan pasta. You could tell at first she was disappointed I read that review, apparently I'm not the only vegan trickling in because of it. I guess they usually don't have vegan pasta HOWEVER they sometimes do. And I was lucky. They had some leftover whole wheat pasta with no eggs in it from the night before. So learning lessons. If you are VEGAN and want VEGAN PASTA you MUST CALL AHEAD. Don't assume they will have it. The chef is real cool and will make it but LET THEM KNOW BEFORE HAND! So I told her to add veggies and do a marinara style and I'd be all set. She couldn't really grasp that they would be good enough for a pasta but what else could we do? Unfortunately she forgot the veggies but my sister got a side of veggies so I added some to mine. Mine did come with mushrooms and a side of capers. It was good, very flavorful. My sister got a Alfredo sauce with veggies which they don't usually have either but they made it up for her. She liked it. My boyfriend got a chicken dish with side vegetables and he liked it. My stepdad got the scallop appetizer with lemoncello and really liked it. He also got one of their homemade lemoncello drinks and really liked it. I got wine and it was good. We skipped desserts and appetizers so we could head over to a bakery after wards on Hanover St. The bread took awhile to come out but it was super yummy. They give you olives to eat with it. I don't like olives so I got a dish of olive oil instead. Overall the meal was good. But please don't read that other review and assume they are all set for vegans. As I said before out of all the North End places this is probably your most promising place to offer vegans something to eat but you need to give them a heads-up. Don't assume they will have something for you any night of the week.
(4)Monte R.
I went to Limoncello in the Little Italy area of Boston with a group for a work conference - was a referall by the hotel concierge. The ambience was "ok" - nothing spectactular, was not too impressed ambience wise. The food was ok - homemade pasta with shrimp was "good" but it was lukewarm, sauce was nice, shrimp were overcooked and rough. The service totally sucked - long waits on waiter to turn around orders and requests - just paying the bill took 30 minutes. No butter or olive oil served with the raw bread - you had to eat it dry. We asked for oil/butter several times, finally got oil 60 minutus later. These owners are "nuts" to run a business this way. Kinda crazy. Overall, it was an ok experience, but I would NEVER return. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else.
(2)Chris C.
FAMILY FRIENDLY, VERY TASTY FOOD, EXCELLENT SERVICE, AND WONDERFUL OVERALL EXPERIENCE!!! We traveled to boston on vacation and while there we wanted to have some great Italian food. Locals from the area point us to LImoncello! THANK YOU. What a wonderful dining experience! My wife and I were dressed very casual with an active 2 year old little boy. On a Friday night we were welcomed like family and received wonderful service! If you are in the Boston Area and want an Authentic Italian Dining experience check out LImoncello!!! ITS AWESOME!!!!!
(4)Bella R.
Best Veal Marsala
(5)Emily T.
Yey, no wait! So, we picked Limoncello due to the lack of a line. But, I was pleasantly surprised by the yummy food. I had the Veal Saltimbocca (overly generous portion!) and hubby had the Veal Parmigiana. Mine came with green beans, carrots, and asparagus. His came with rotini in a bright orange-red sauce. Complimentary bread was OK, but olives were AWESOME (I almost ate the entire plate)! Service with a smile. We would definitely be back if we lived in the area... A bit hot in the restaurant on an early Spring 80-degree day in Boston, but they eventually cranked the air a bit as the evening progressed (and the windows were wide open). A solid 4-star, and I'll try to go back on our next visit.
(4)Diane H.
I've had my first squid ink pasta in italy....then i tried again at another place in north end where the line is crazy...and that didnt live up to my expectations...limoncello was different. It wasn't the regular wine sauce, instead it was a tomato cream, and i HATE tomatoes, but ahhh how can i not try the squid ink here..i did and ah, it was delicious! The service was attentive, my glass was always full, they are really italian i think, the way they talk..act, just like people in italy. My pasta was creamy...not dry or al dente, which i do not like. AT $26 it was a bit pricy, but i will get over it since it was good and there was some lobster in it. If i didn't have a friend that was talking about it, or my concierge, i wouldn't have randomly come here... i'm happy i found a place with good squid ink pasta that i can go to in boston! I tried the bread despite a review that said..it was reused ..yikes! Since someone else said it was delicious, i don't care for it, it's not soft and the olive oil was just olive oil....
(4)lella b.
came in while doing a food crawl: 6 people no reservations on a saturday. seated immediately at the bar. we only had appitizers. antipasti plate: it was ok. nothing horrific, nothing out of this world. a bit on the skimpy side (we explained we'd be doing a pass the plate share the aps) but it would have been great for a small party/2 people. meatball: ok, 3 HUGE meatballs (think grapefruit sized). not on overly sweet red sauce. total fan. LOVE LOVE LOVE. I'd go back just for these. scallops: i'm allergic to them, everybody said they were fantistic. squid salad: i'm not a fan of the squid as food . ..but by the rate it dissapeared, it must have been good. bottle of the house chianti: fair price at 36$ cons: bar area is small (8 seats) beer wine only pros: good appitizer stop looked to be good for groups (several large parties) friendly wait staff
(4)KC C.
Love love love this place. Homemade pasta, fresh ingredients, friendly staff. This was a recommended place to dine and I'm glad I tried it. There are soooo many restaurants in Little Italy; you can try those all another time. COME HERE! We spent about $100 with tip and got two entrees, two glasses of wine, an appetizer and dessert. Oh, and coffee too. Ambiance is great with seating inside but near and open window. Great for a first date or even family night. A must when you come to Boston.
(5)Mountain Chick T.
This place was amazing. The four of us enjoyed everything! Mama's Meatballs were the best I've had with the exception of my husband's. The Rosette was delicious. Love the olives before dinner. Excellent service. Highly recommended.
(5)James T.
Didn't know to make reservations so had a seat by a nice old Italian bird while we had some beer and waited for a table. On the way to the table the hostess said "so, you met the boss?" We asked "She's the owner?" The waitress replied "No, she's the owner's mother." Apparently she had brought over some of her own recipes from the old country and, after I myself lived in Napoli for a number of years, it showed! I have eaten Italian all around the states in the past five years since my return and even love by the little Italy on Baltimore but this was the first meal that's taken me back across the ocean!
(5)Ming-Jou C.
Rolled out of there after a great meal. This restaurant would be great for a buy-out because of its perfect size for a group. The food was awesome, the service attentive and everything came out relatively quickly. Had the carpaccio and spinach salad to start. Followed by the lobster raviolio with crabmeat pink sauce with tomatoes, topped off with their tiramisu. Everything was good, but the tiramisu was so good, i wanted to marry it. Not everyone might like this style, but it was like the perfect tiramisu to me, because it was like frozen ice cream. Came in a glass straight from the freezer and strong rum and espresso soaked cake at the bottom with just the right amount of marscapone goodness. Wow. I didn't touch the free bread and olives they bring to the table. Two girls at the table next to us ordered everything to share, which isn't such a bad idea if you're a lightweight. But I'm a two-starter kind of gal, so screw "sharing is caring." Love this place and would go back if I'm ever in Boston again. Casual, unpretentious atmosphere and they had some dude playing guitar and singing. Not overpowering loudness, so it was good ambience.
(5)Tim R.
Not sure if we just had an off night, but our food was cold and tasteless. We had an order of the meatballs as an appetizer and they came out cold, decent but cold. There were six in our party and not one of us enjoyed our meal. My entree (shrimp and pasta) was lukewarm and tasteless. Service was the only thing good about the place.
(1)Brandon T.
Under pressure to find the best place to have an Italian dinner in the North End, I found this place fitting all of the good criteria. Solid food, location, good wine, and takes reservations. So be aware that parking is impossible on the weekends, and there is no valet, so arrive extra early to park over by Quincy Market and walk. Also the parking cost $36 for a couple of hours and is CASH ONLY so heads up there as well. We arrived just in time, but had to wait 20 minutes as our table wasn't ready. No worries as all the workers were friendly, and was given a glass of wine as I waited while watching the Conference Finals in back. We were finally seated around 8:20 and began to nosh on the bread parm and olives that were brought immediately. Our orders were soon taken, and the salad and apps were prompt. We got the caesar salad and meatballs which were both fantastic. For entree's we had the bronzino and veal parm. Again the fish was cooked perfectly, and the veal parm is some of the best i've had before. For dessert we had the tiramisu which kept right along with the theme and was also very good. I can't say many bad things. Obviously having our table ready when the reservations specified would be nice. Also having glasses of wine that were decent, rather than having to get a bottle to have a good wine would also be a plus. Yet all in all I would definitely come back, and recommend to anyone coming for a night out to make a point to come here.
(4)Andrea E.
It looks like the reviews here are pretty much split...Not Great..and Great.! But after tonight, I have to be honest and say everything we ordered was over the top fantastic. From the home-made Meat Balls, that rivaled my Italian Nana's - to the perfectly dressed Caesar Salad for appetizers was amazing. We shared the house famous Rosette pasta with a Tomato Cream Truffle sauce and it was amazingly light with delightful ricotta and savory sausage filling. Truly delectable! I had the Sole special prepared Francesca style - sauteed in a light egg-battered, butter, lemon and white wine sauce with fresh green been and carrots. Cooked to perfection. The Canolis for dessert were the best in town; Perfect crust and filing. Great cappuccino and Tiramisu to boot. All in all a perfect meal. Not too heavy that we left there filling ill, but rather just perfectly content and happy to head home with out bellies full and it was nice not being rushed out by the waitstaff- as we definitely overstayed our welcome....catching up with family! Will definitely be back!
(5)Jill T.
Eight of us ate here the other evening and we all were very happy with our meals. Scallops Limoncello appetizer was to die for, we were sopping up the sauce with the delicious bread. Some of the pasta is home made and fabulous. Service was very attentive, even though it was busy The only concern i had was there were only two desserts on the menu. This may be because many people go to the cafes for dessert, but we happened to be in a hurry and would have liked more choices We all agreed we would definitely come back again!
(4)Diana M.
My favorite restaurant in the world. Beautiful Italian food. I cannot recommend this enough GO HERE!! There are a ton of great restaurants in the North End, but I can tell you, this is one of the best. The meatballs are savory and moist. I recommend you eat the specials since they are always off the charts.
(4)Michael B.
Really enjoyed this place. We've sampled a number of restaurants in Boston and specifically in the North End. This place is definitely one to return to. Had no problem making a reservation for 5 people, granted it was during the week but considering all the other places around where no reservations or a 2 hour wait is the norm this was definitely a plus. The food was excellent. They bring out bread and olives to start with along with some olive oil and a good heap of parmesan. Very nice touch by the way to bring out parm this early in the meal. Us cheese lovers really appreciate that. Mama's meaballs were great! Good size meatballs, well prepared, flavorful with a nice sauce. Buffalo mozzarella was pretty good, but nothing remarkable. Then came the entrees. Myself and another person got the porkchop stuffed with fontina cheese and spinach. Out-freaken-standing. Seriously it was a damn good porkchop. We also shared an order of the rosette pasta which apparently is award winning and deservedly so. This pasta looks like a rose but tastes like heaven. JUST AWESOME. Just the right amount of cheese and sauce, perfect consistency to the pasta, really loved it. We then got the dessert sampler, which we all agreed was pretty damn good and were then treated to several free limoncello shots. Speaking of being treated, the service was excellent. Sometimes you don't feel like spending 3 hours at a dinner, this place definitely accomodates. We were done with our dinner in a little over an hour, which is exactly what we wanted that night. So it was perfect. There were 5 of us at dinner, all with fairly different tastes and all of thoroughly enjoyed this place. It's definitely in the rotation!
(4)Stephanie V.
Service was the best I have ever seen. We were late and they really didn't have to seat us, but they were kind enough to work something out. So glad they did. We loved it. Water and wine glasses were never empty, and it seemed to be everyone's job to make sure we were happy. I have never eaten a cannoli I actually liked, but this one was out of this world. Nice atmosphere--a real gem.
(4)Mark H.
Went to dinner at Limoncello with another large group in the same basic area is Mamma Maria, in fact just a couple doors down. Another Italian place but this time the service was off the hook good for a large group that wanted to have fun. Our waitress, Lulu joined in on the fun and was very pleasant to have around and helped us every step of the way from wine selection to appetizers to her favorite entrées. Never once did we feel rushed and it did not matter how loud our group got and how much fun we had, it just melded right in with all the other groups they had in the restaurant having a good time enjoying a great meal. If you're looking to take a group out for Italian food in the Northend and I would highly recommend this restaurant, great food, outstanding service and a fun atmosphere it hit all the major points. I will be back with my own group I'm sure in the very near future.
(5)Becky M.
I came from San Francisco and left my heart at Limoncello in Boston! This little gem is tucked away in the North End and the wonders within their walls will steal your heart as well. We wined, we dined, we were even serenaded. The meal was more than good. Orgasmic comes to mind. The wine was an amazing choice and the waiter kept us well lubricated. Speaking of our waiter, he was AMAZING! He catered to us and made us happy and we loved Antonio more than life itself! I wanted to bring him home with me (but not in a dirty way)! Go here - your Italian fantasies will all come true. Oh yeah, let's talk about the bill for a moment...5 people, 2 bottles of wine - ONLY $188 before tip! Limoncello, you really did steal my heart!
(5)Kimberly L.
Part of me doesn't even want to review this little gem because I don't want everyone else finding out how good it is and making it crowded. I have yet to ever stand in line even when other restaurants in the North End have somewhere around a 2 hour wait, but maybe thats just me being lucky. The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgable, and the food is authentic and delicious. They also make their Limoncello homemade and is the perfect end to a meal. Its conveniently located in the North End but tucked away off of Hanover so there's less foot traffic. This is by far my favorite restaurant in the North End.
(5)Stacey V.
Had lunch at Limoncello`s everything was delicious! The very fresh bread with the very tasty olive oil! I had the Rosette Limoncello dish it was the best Italian food outside of Italy.My husband had the veal said it was the best veal he had very had! We had cannoli`s for dessert they were so fresh, Best cannoli I had ever had! If you are in Boston this place is a must!!
(5)Chris C.
From my dinner groups comments: "Crowded" and "slightly cheesy" "North End Guinea" decor but the "super yummy" stuffed artichoke app and "good" food as well as the "attentive and amusing" server -- with the "heavy hand on the Lemoncello" -- made for a "pleasant experience" overall, if a "slightly pricey" I have been here twice now, and enjoyed it very much both times. I have been on busy nights in the North End, and it's never a wait if you show up before 7pm. the waiters are fun, and nice, and it's just a very good italian in a sea of them (some of which aren't as good!)
(4)Tom I.
Food & service were awesome. Was there with large group of clients, made reservation and was seated right away. Menus was straight fwd, special of the day was great (risotto....my client commented as good as Italy) I had squid ink seafood pasta, had good amount of lobster meat on top & pasta was cooked right. The only beef was they didn't have any local beer, esp Sam Adams, which made my client sad. I guess that's north end thing??? (had same experience before) but the Italian beer that the offered instead was nice & refreshing. There's very unfriendly old lady sitting all way back in the room, and turned out the owner, and actually nice. She just watch her place run as it supposed to...I see.
(4)Leesa S.
Why have I never eaten here before when dining in the North End?!! The name alone should have given me a hint about what a gem this place is. I dined with business colleagues on a Tuesday evening. We had a reservation and by 7:30 the tables were full. We all ordered the swordfish special which was just this side of a religious experience. I rarely finish a full entree when dining out but my plate was clean. We started with fresh mozzerella (clearly homemade but nothing special) and the meatballs which were reviewed by another diner. These were good but since I'm not a huge meateater I only took a sample bite. Our waiter was attentive and entertaining. He recommended a great bottle of reasonably price Chianti which simply completed the meal. This restaurant is quaint and small and clearly a family-run operation. How I missed this right next door to the Paul Revere house I have no idea. This place is now at the top of my favorite dining experiences in Boston's North End.
(4)Chris P.
This place is delightful. I took my wife here after a really frustrating day (105 degrees and a failed attempt at a whale watch. Ungh :) and had one of the best Italian meals we've ever eaten in the North End. The atmosphere is very nice, old world and bustling, with very pleasant decor, clean and well kept with murals on the walls. The service was very attentive. They wre johnny on the spot refilling our water, asking if we wanted more bread, etc. And the pacing was just perfect, our appetizers were whisked away, followed by a brief pause for digestion and then our main course. My wife had the chilled seafood salad special to start - this was a real winner. Squid, shrimp, scallops and clams all marinated to tender perfection and then chilled and served with a green salad. She loved it. Coming from someone who wouldn't THINK about eating squid a year or two ago, that says something! I had the braised baby octopus appetizer. Also incredibly good. Lots of octopus and chick peas in a delicious sauce. I had a disk that was a ragu of lamb and veal with home made fusilli (which were delightfully delicate and very tasty) in a delicious red sauce. The meat was, as one would hope, falling apart from having cooked in a vat of sauce all day, and was delicious. I'd definitely get this again. My wife's entree was also quite excellent. She ordered the squid ink linguini in a cream sauce and she really enjoyed it. She said the squid ink linguini was lighter and more delicate than others she's had which she very much liked, and that the cream sauce was quite tasty as well. It's not cheap, but if you want Italian in a casual atmosphere that will really knock your socks off, this place can't be beat. We'll definitely be going back!
(5)JH J.
It's been a personal goal of mine to dine at all North End restaurants at least once (with intent to sample linguine & clams, of course!). So, it was kind of a surprise that I had never even heard of Limoncello. Clearly, I need to be more aware of my surroundings as I had just gone to Carmen (next door) about 2 months earlier. The atmosphere here showcased a good vibe of chatty diners, full tables, bustling waitstaff, clanking dishes, and Italian music. Our table ordered a bunch of appetizers -nothing too memorable, but tasty for typical Italian apps. I did order the L&C and it was quite fabulous! However, when my dish was served I could tell it had sat for a while after it was plated, maybe under a heat lamp? It was still great, but definitely took a while for the food to come out. I have to give Limoncello only 3 stars because of the service. My entree could earn 4 stars but the service was generic and vanilla -nothing setting it apart or calling me back. It felt rushed, like get 'em in, get 'em out (which was odd, because my food definitely wasn't rushed!). They need to step up the service, focusing more on the customers in the restaurant rather than trying to quickly flip tables for the customers waiting.
(3)Howe L.
Despite the recommendations, I wasn't too impressed when I came here for lunch. Lively and attentive service, but for the food, I prob loved the bread the best :/ The special dish was too rich and heavy. Octopus lacked flavored. Salmon and eggplant parm just smothered in too much sauce.
(3)Melissa M.
Limoncello, just saying the name brings back memories I didn't even think I had. You no understand a what I'm a tryin' to tell a you? Step One: Just order a Limoncello. Step Two: Sip it. You'll thank me later. That is, if you remember.
(5)Dan G.
Fair at best. I was not impressed with the food or setting. First it was COLD in there. Second the food was not good, just fair. I read the positive review on yelp and had hope, but ugh not good. I tasted several dishes because I was with a large group and I did not enjoy any of them. They were not bad, just not good. The risotto was marginal (and I love risotto!). Slow service as well. And costly. I will not return.
(2)K. E.
We're from out of town and were recommended to try this place by our hotel front desk worker, who said it was one of her personal favorite places. This was our last lunch in town before we went to the airport, and it was a perfect North End Italian experience. The house specialty pasta dish was especially wonderful. We had a couple of glasses of house wines which were just fine. The service was impeccable. Perfect olive oil with the perfect bread really added to the experience. My husband said I didn't tip enough (I must have made a mistake, I'm really sorry), so I promised him I would yelp the restaurant to help even up my karma.
(4)Stephanie W.
This is in a cute location and has a great feel to it... but I have to say I was really disappointed. So, I walked in at 2:00 on a weekday to an almost empty restaurant. There were a few people here and there but nothing busy. Okay, it is late, not a big deal. I sit down, open the menu and nearly go into shock. $22 for pasta at LUNCH!? Well, turns out AT 2:00 they switch to the dinner menu. I got there right at 2:00. Instead of saying, hey, let's cut this girl a break, I was given the dinner menu. This was not a good start to my lunch. So, I order a simple pasta dish. Okay, let me be honest, I picked the cheapest pasta dish. Simple spaghetti. i have to say, I am picky about my red sauce but seriously, this was nothing to right home about. I was disappointed I had to a) waste a meal here b) spend so much. The highlight? The free bread and dipping sauce. The olive oil is AMAZING. Real olives and it actually tasted like OLIVES! That is pretty rare in most restaurants... If I were you I'd skip this place.
(2)Anthony L.
A little more pricier than most of the other Italian eateries, but nonetheless, still very good. Their bread is unbelievably delicious. Service is fantastic but my entree which was the black squid lobster pasta was good but not excellent. I marked them down one star because the pasta linguini was a little hard and stuck on each other. Try another dish. Still, I recommend it highly as I'm sure other signature dishes are worthy of 4/5 stars.
(4)Herb Z.
This is a pretty decent restaurant. The service was OK, and the food was pretty good. There are places that are better than this in the North End, but if you go here, I don't think you would be disappointed.
(3)Jeff M.
I was here this past weekend by the recommendation of a friend. The food is good but cost way more than it is worth; North End prices. Trust me I don't usually complain about price. The special stuffed pork was awesome. If I had not ordered this I may have given it a rating of 3 stars. As cheesy as this sounds the house limoncello is excellent.
(4)Caree Z.
I would have given this place a really great review, but here's the run down as to why it gets four (I wish a 3.5 were possible): 1. Hubby and I were not dressed "appropriately" for dinner I suppose, if we're wearing polos and shorts. I guess that's why we were not given the run down on the specials. Same waiter didn't give us any indication that there were specials to be had. Not that we got bad service, just that we weren't given all the options. I'm all about options, it's why I read the entire menu. At least twice. 2. Sodas. I'm not being nitpicky. Our waiter took our wine glasses and filled them with diet Coke. A nearby table of 4 who had ordered a diet Coke got a large soda glass filled to the brim. Husband was not pleased. I didn't even have any of my so that he could have his fill, the silly thing. 3. Food was good. Rosette pasta dish was delicious, one can taste the prociutto and the truffle oil as you cut into layers of cheese and sauce. Husband's chicken parm was excellent; pounded and then fried to a tender crispy melty perfection. Not too much sauce, not too much cheese (hubby says you can never have enough cheese). We'll dress better next time. Maybe then, I'll merit hearing about the meatball and mozz special apps, as well as the fish of the day. Not sure if we'll be back though, especially with so many other tasty options in North End. It's a shame, because we were treated very differently our first time here about a year ago.
(4)Wendy L.
My meal (the stuffed chicken breast) was excellent and saucy. Our waiter kept plugging their unique Time Magazine prosciutto lasagne and I wish I had ordered it, too. My ceasar salad was smothered in homemade dressing and utterly delicious. We had a heavenly bottle of Italian wine and shared their tiramisu-in-a-glass at the end of the meal. Needless to say, the food stands out. This small, busy restaurant is abuzz with energy and loud conversation. Our waiter was great until we asked him to call us a cab and he made some racist comments before telling us he'd "call Abdullah." It was a sour way to end an otherwise great evening.
(4)Theresa M.
Ristorante Limoncello is definitely worth the trip into the North End! While there is an overabundance of restaurants in the North End Limoncello's is one of the few that I would make a special trip to visit. Many of the others are unfortunately not worth it. The restaurant is conveniently located on North Street which is one of the few remaining areas to find visitor parking. However, be forewarned if you are unfamiliar with the area that parking is always a challenge in the North End. Limoncello's has a wonderful feel to it, and you can tell that the owner Maurizio is very passionate about his family orientated and operated business as he is always there making sure his patrons are happy and helping out when necessary. The story of how Limoncello's came to be is quite special as well. In a nutshell it was Maurizio's dream to own his own restaurant. His family immigrated to Somerville from Calabria, Italy when he was a teenager, and he worked as a bus boy and waiter for 25 years. Then his break came when he hit a $5 scratch ticket for a million dollars! Personally, I think that is such a great story. Many of his family members including his mom (who still makes meatballs on occasion) and siblings work with him in the restaurant. They even make their own Limoncello liquer, which is my favorite! It is a must have for any dining guest. My favorite dishes are the Rosette Pasta, and the Lasagna. The restaurant is also larger than most of the places in the North End, and beautifully decorated with a lovely wall mural that reminds me of being in Italy. Limoncello's is a huge step above the rest, you will not be disappointed!
(5)Zet G.
I just got an email from Yelp that was titled "New Compliment!" It seemed odd since I'm lazy and don't think I've written any reviews in over a year. Anyway, I log in to my account and what do I find? A note from somebody called "Brenna B." in West Hartford, CT that simply reads: "For your review of: Limoncello Ristorante You are an idiot" Needless to say, "Brenna B." has 0 reviews, friends, etc. Stay classy, Limoncello!
(1)Mike D.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the North End. The service, environment, and food is impeccable. The setting of the space is very nice and quiet. It feels like a very authentic Italian restaurant. The wine list is eclectic and plentiful. This is a must if you enjoy Italian and frequent the Boston area!
(5)Sarah H.
Great atmosphere, food and prices! Awesome cannolis
(5)Mike F.
Went with a group of 6 big guys. Food was very good. Wait staff and chef were awesome we all had different dishes, Pasta's, Fish, Chicken etc. Meatball app was out of this world. i would put this place up against anything in the N End
(5)P S.
No matter where you go in the North End, you'll find pretty good Italian fare. Loved this place due to the "local" factor. Everyone seemed to know each other so it was more than just good food, the ambiance made it fun. They make their own limoncello so get a glass - it's good!
(4)Julie T.
A local I met recommended this place to me. It's a very discreet looking restaurant next to Paul Revere's house. I went during lunch and had: Eggplant Parm- I was prepared to feast on the breaded goodness of the eggplant parm that I am used to getting at the Olive Garden..was very surprised to see that it was a traditional style parm with no breading . Delicate stacked layers of roasted eggplant with a layer of cheese on top. Served with a light pomodoro sauce and large sized mac like type noodles. about $10 bucks Veal Parm- Large peace of breaded veal served with the same noodles and sauce as the eggplant ..very good. a little over $10 bucks. Total bill was less than $30 including tip (drank water ..no app's). This included a generous helping of fresh free bread and a plate of mixed olives in extra virgin olive oil. and the food came with a homemade minestrone (very good) In response to Terry W; I'm asian and thought the service was excellent. They had all reason to be rude as I used the power outlet next to my table to charge my cell phone. Left my Mike's Pastry box on the table and ate it for desert....surfed the internet during lunch and spilled minestrone all over the linen covered table.... definitely check it out...and hey robert de niro goes here!
(5)Norman F.
Dined here for lunch on a Friday a week ago. I haven't been back to the North End in almost 30 years and had a free afternoon. It was a rainy day and I forgot that parking was pretty much impossible in the area. We ducked into the first nice place we could find, and had a wonderful lunch. I had the signature lunch entree (can't remember the name) and my daughter had the Vongole Spaghetti, both excellent. Enjoyed a cannoli for dessert. I hope I get another chance to visit the North End and Limoncello before another 30 years go by.
(4)Kelsey F.
I went here with my 4 coworkers last Thursday night for our holiday dinner. I called and made reservations the day of with no problem. It's really cute inside. As soon as we sat down the servers were there to give us water, bread, evoo, and olives! We ordered wine and the waitress was always right there to fill us up. We were going to a show so were on a bit of a tight sched but that was no problem at all, the food came out really quick. So service I give it an A+. For an app we had tomato mozzarella over greens. The buffalo mozzarella was amazing - sooo fresh! For my meal I got one of the specials - the swordfish in a tomato sauce with capers, and some other deliciousness. It was really good. And I should mention that I eat hardly any seafood and it was only the second time I had ever had swordfish! I left feeling very satisfied and full! I feel like all of the restaurants in the North End are very similar but Limoncello definitely stands out!
(5)EricaLynn J.
A pricey but sure-to-please Italian restaurant with typical dishes from the Calabria region prepared with creativity and style. When you're there, make sure you read the articles framed on the wall about how the restaurant came to be. You'll be glad you did! Sure things: any seafood dish, chicken marsala, and their entire dessert menu. Don't worry if you miss it: the limoncello. It's not exactly a tasty drink.
(4)Joanna L.
I like this place, for quite a few reasons: 1. Location. It's out of the way of Hanover street - just enough that you don't have to deal with tourist crowds of North End - but not so far that you have to walk much further or feel like you're leaving the heart of the neighborhood. 2. Availability. There's always a little bit of a crowd - just enough to make you feel like you're joining a good dinner party, but not so much that you have to wait on the cramped sidewalks for 45 minutes. And they take reservations. 3. Food. A good menu, although I always get the same thing: squid ink pasta with lobster cream sauce. So good! Squid Ink dishes are hard to find in Boston, and other than the Daily Catch, this place makes one of the best. 4. Ambience - the murals are pretty, there's space to get to/from your table, and bathrooms are clean enough. Also, there are few restaurants in North End where you feel like you can have a quiet dinner - but this is one of them. 5. Owner and staff have always been warm and friendly!
(4)Chris V.
This restaurant is really great! We were forwarded here by a native Bostonian after asking for a recommendation for good Italian food, and we were not disappointed at all! The atmosphere was nice and relaxed yet classy, the food was fantastic, and our server was very attentive and alert. I had the lobster ravioli for my entree and, seeing that I love both lobster and ravioli, I was not let down by this fantastic fusion of flavors. I even cleaned the delicious sauce from my plate. The entree was just fantastic. The dessert was great, also! Keep up the good work, Limoncello Ristorante! Stay awesome!
(4)Gary F.
Second time visiting Lemoncelos , cozy,warm, atmosphere in which Antonio an a superb waiter love the italian accent. Very extensive wine list , consisting of many different reds which we love! The stuffed artichoke appetizer was thebest we have ever experienced. The veal dishes were out of this world, veAl was very tender,and cooked to perfection.the desserts were mouthwatering and to compjlete this delicious dining experience they serve us a complimentary Lemoncelos drink
(4)Heather G.
The issue I have with Limocello is that the prices and portion sizes signal an upscale Italian restaurant (like Sorellina or Carmen), but the quality and taste of the food would quickly disprove that. This place reminds me of a kid playing dress-up in his dad's work clothes. He wants so desperately to be like dad and thinks that he can dress the part and it will happen. However, under the costume, you are what you are, and people will soon figure out what's real. The difference is, the son playing dress up isn't hurting anyone...but Limoncello playing dress up is taking my money but not giving me back a high-end experience or well-executed plate of food. (As if it needed to be laid out for you at this point) the portions are small. The price tag is hefty. The food is mediocre at best (unremarkable is the word of the day to describe the pasta dishes here). I will NOT be back.
(2)