The Daily Catch
323 Hanover St, Boston, MA, 02113
The Daily Catch Menu
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Appetizers
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Salads
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Entrees
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Fish
Healthy Meal suggestions for The Daily Catch
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Appetizers
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Salads
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Entrees
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Fish
Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
323 Hanover St
Boston, MA, 02113 - Phone (617) 523-8567
- Website https://www.dailycatch.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
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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s c.
We shared a small order calamari - it was very good, not chewy, light batter. Sauce was rather bland. I had the monkfish Marsala with a side of baby spinach. It was excellent. Husband had mussels marinara with linguini - it was very good, but mussels rather small. I took 1 star off because of that and because they don't have any butter for bread, even when I asked. We liked Daily Catch and would return.
(4)Shannon M.
Love it. Tiny place with really fresh seafood. In my opinion it is worth waiting for a table as long as you don't mind waiting for good food. Since the tables are right next to the open kitchen (all 5 of them) you will leave smelling like garlic. But being right next to the grill is part of the reason why I like it here. I've had the squid ink pasta with Aglio Olio sauce and Putanesca sauce, the grilled salmon, and the calamari, all of which were full of flavor (probably the garlic covering everything) and perfectly cooked. The atmosphere is very laid back, but for those of you who like to sit and talk after eating please keep in mind the limited seats and those patiently waiting outside to take yours.
(4)Josh O.
I hereby declare my meal from here as one of the top 10 meals of my life. This meal is up there with my lobster mac n' cheese + marinated skirt steak meal (see my review about Lillian's Italian Kitchen in Santa Cruz, CA) Once you come here, you'll drool at the thought of their amazing food! So what did I eat? Squid ink pasta with ground squid. This dish was sea ecstasy. Homemade pasta with fresh seafood, all prepared about 5 feet away from where you sit, regardless of the table. There are about 5 tables in the restaurant, which is about the size of a small 1-bedroom apartment. I went here with friends on a bachelor party weekend, and our Boston friend in the group highly recommended Daily Catch. We waited in line for about half an hour, while a friend in our group waited in line for cannolis from Modern Pastry, which we gleefully downed after Daily Catch. To start the meal, we got fried calamari. Bring on the tentacles, baby! You can tell the calamari was exceptionally fresh, and the batter was simple and crunch-a-licious. This place deserves 5 stars for the food and experience. You get to see the chef make everything for everybody up close and personal. You see flames from the pans, and you see them toss dirty pans around the restaurant like they're at a junk yard throwing stuff around. This place puts most Italian seafood restaurants to shame.
(5)Rob E.
Went to boston for vacation and read about the Agio olio at daily catch . Went there a wednesday night and ran into Jason Terry (dallas mavs) and jameer nelson (orlando) eating there. If its good enough for them, its good enough for me i thought and boy was i not disappointed. The Agio olio is simply amazing. A must have if you are in boston. I went back friday for the same thing and already miss the fact i probably wont have it again for a long time. I may make another trip to boston next year just to eat it again!
(5)DonPaul N.
The dining room at the daily catch is basically the kitchen. The place is tiny, shabby and full of character. For a late lunch on a weekday, there were no lines, no waiting. We ordered a half dozen little necks to start and enjoyed the kitchen flare ups while we waited for the entrees. The broiled haddock at the DC is as good as it gets. The breadcrumb and Parmesan crust really makes it. My wife ordered the monk-fish Marsala which was stellar. Even my side of linguini with its simple white sauce was off the charts; perfectly al dente and savory. I can't wait to go back and try the black pasta with ground squid. The only downside is the fact that there is no bathroom for customers. They only accept cash, which is no problem because there are several ATMs nearby.
(4)C M.
Perhaps the lesson on establishments with long lines rendered by Grimaldi's & Di Fara's in New York didn't register during the Bostonian hiatus. What lesson might that be? If there's a 2 hour wait with a line out the door, it's best to pass on the establishment. Of course... Given the notoriety and praise rendered by the Bostonian Community and Tourists alike, it would be cynical if not hypocritical to avoid sampling the offerings of The Daily Catch. Being regarded as one of the best Seafood / Italian institutions in all of The North End, why not endure the long lines if the potential renderings are truly remarkable and praise worthy? Upon arriving at The Daily Catch, little to our surprise, there was a line out the door... 1 Hour, 15 Minutes Later... We were in front of the line and next to be seated. Visual inspection of the interior from the outer confines revealed a simplistic establishment seating no more than 14 patrons at maximum capacity. The decor of the establishment is furnished by off color tiled walls and 1970's Formica wooden tables. The chairs were of solid wood and mahogany finishing, although old, sturdy enough to seat patrons for a long duration meal without discomfort. The size of the restaurant is at best 500 to 600 square feet. The kitchen itself is open to patron visibility and occupies approximately 250 sq ft of the establishment. While patrons decide on their consumables for an evening's consumption, they can view the handy work of the chef. Ultimately, the restaurant atmosphere can be described as cramped & hot (given the open kitchen). Nevertheless, the simplistic feel renders a slightly charming impression for this North End establishment. Service: Perhaps the highlight of the evening. The service was efficient and detailed oriented. Our server was friendly and swift at presenting beverages and bread during seating. Orders were taken at a moment's notice and requests for refills were granted in a timely manner. The Food: Calamari & Clam Linguine w/ Red Sauce: Presented on the 12" inch skillet for which the application was prepared, the dish itself appeared to be a classic rendition of the Italian staple. Excessive amounts of Linguine were topped with a generous portion of Calamari & diced Clams. The addition of Parsley provided the added color contrast to bring out the elements of the application. Sadly, the presentation was all the noteworthy praise that can be rendered to this dish. At first bite, the initial impression of the dish was bland! The tomato sauce used in the application lacked any notable seasoning. No hints of salt or pepper were detected in the sauce. The texture of the tomato sauce appeared to be watery, thus lacking the thick consistency to properly coat the pasta. Given the texture of the sauce, there was an extreme distortion of flavors between the mild tomato sauce and the starchiness of the pasta. In addition, the seafood was excessively overcooked, to the point in which the texture was rubbery and difficult to consume. The natural sweetness and scrumptiousness of the seafood was virtually non-existent. "Aglio Olio" - Black Linguine w. Sauteed Squid: Squid Ink Linguine topped with Diced Squid is sauteed with a based of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Butter, White Wine & Garlic. During consumption, patrons will find that the immediate impression of the dish is the exponential aromatics and flavoring of Garlic stemming from the Garlic Oil used as the sauced in the application. Although the permeating scent and flavor of garlic was in some ways appealing, the excessive presence could've been subdued just slightly. Similar to the Linguine & Clam application, the dish lacked seasoning! The flavor derived from the application stemmed from the fruity Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Garlic. At no time was any detection of seasoning discovered during consumption. Although the sauteed squid did provide the much welcoming salty base for the application, they were overcooked and lacked the juicy texture commonly known of squid. As for the Black Linguine, the freshly made pasta did have a nice clean finish. Unfortunately, the pasta itself was slightly undercooked with certain strands being discarded to the side due to inedibility. It goes without saying, the technical and execution flaws observed in these dishes could easily be remediated had a sampling of our food been taken prior to presentation. Sadly, the following impressions were observed at the conclusion of our meal... 1) The tomato sauce needs seasoning and herbs! 2) The White Wine / Garlic Oil base of the "Aglio Olio" needs a kick (perhaps Red Pepper Flakes or a Jalapeno Pesto). Perhaps the 75 minute wait could've been better spent at another North End establishment. Like the saying goes... "Curiosity Kill the Cat". In this particular case, curiosity killed $80 from my wallet and 2 hours of my life!
(2)Koun K.
Black ink pasta and the clams were both amazing. Cash only and it has a limited sitting
(4)Sdtjm S.
My brother-in-law has raved about this place for a few years and has made it a "mandatory first stop" when he flies to Boston from Miami. This past July our two families met there for slightly late lunch. It was my first time. I got there first and put in our name to hold a table for 6. Good thing I did because a few minutes after, a group of tourists of around 10 arrived. We got our table ahead of them luckily. At first, I was a little doubtful cause when you look in, you see basically picnic table style seating, pretty crowded spacing and the kitchen is wide open right in front of you. Now to the good points.... The place sits 17 max. There are just 3 employees. The host/waiter/cashier, the saucier and of course, a head chef. The menu is written in chalk on a big board on the wall. Even quality wine is served in plastic cups. What you order is served in the saute pan they cook it in. This is no frills ambience, but in a way, that is what gives it a sort of "special" ambience. I thought that the Aglio Olio (squid ink pasta) was the most intriguing item on the menu and so ordered that. It was absolutely phenomenal. Home made squid ink pasta, chopped calamari, olive oil, garlic and parsley. That was about all there was, it was superb. I loved it and can't wait till the next time I'm in Boston to indulge again. I think the point of this place is exceptional simplicity that gives life to quality. Quality ingredients, quality preparation, quality chef. Some of the critics mention the wait. There really isn't anything they can do. It is a fantastic place to enjoy delicious Italian seafood. If you're lucky and get it, consider yourself blessed. If not, and you wait and wait, then that day frowned on you. You could put your name in and go walk around a bit. Mike's Pastry is across the street and their canolis are unbelievable. Go grab a box to take home while you wait for your seat at the Daily Catch.
(4)Marilyn T.
It's not your traditional Italian North End place, but they have fresh seafood near the water. It's family owned, friendly, and the servers all seem happy to be there. I love the chalk board menu, which changes depending on what's caught recently. In addition to fish, I love the black pasta - anything with squid ink and garlic tastes amazing to me. As for fish, I'm a huge swordfish fan, even though Boston is traditionally set on haddock. Like many North end places, it's tiny with no reservations. Cash only.
(4)Danielle F.
This was an infinitely better alternative to Thanksgiving leftovers! We came for lunch around 1:00 day after thanksgiving and got one of the last open tables. Everyone ordered spmthing different but all drew rave reviews. I had the pan-seared tuna w/ sundried tomatoes and mushrooms. It was delicious but a pretty mammoth portion. Luckily I was starving and polished it off. Do not let appearances deter you - plastic cups for drinks, open kitchen where you feel like a spectator to those cooking the food, the hustle and bustle of supplies (mussels, clams) getting delivered through the dining area. Great food at a fair price.
(5)Hugh L.
sup. spaghetti's good. yeah soft. K, bye.
(5)Jonathan B.
I understand why there's a wait for this place. I had the black pasta with squid. It was delicious. The pasta was al dente the sauce was just the right amount of garlic flavor. Hubby had the mussels with marinara. Mussels were very fresh and cooked just right. The service was great. There was only 1 server and he was attentive, refilled waters as needed. He was clearly very busy. The place seats about 20 and every chair was occupied. This is a place to get great food! If you don't want to wait to be seated you can order takeout.
(4)Justin Y.
Came here for lunch and it was great. The service was very good and the food comes fresh and fast. The restaurant is a bit small however and it might be hard to get a table during the busy times. The calamari had the right amount of batter and was fried nicely. My friend and I split the small Putanesca and Aglio Olio Black Pasta. Both were delicious. I am not much of an olives person, but the Putanesca's olive flavors were balanced with the flavors of the vegetables and the pasta. The Aglio Olio pasta was very delicious. A little oily (it uses olive oil however, so it's healthy) but I loved the garlic flavor. And the total came out to be less than 40 with tax and tip. Good price, good service, and great food!
(5)Erin M.
Clam Casino was reason for the trip to the Daily Catch alone!! YUMMMMMY! Definitely is small... shared a table with a random couple but no biggie food was worth it! Menu on the wall was a little confusing and hard to read. Like I said ordered the Clam Casino and the the Squid Ink Pasta Putanesca.... delicious but next time I will definitely get the Aglio Olio! Loved that the Chef leaned over his work area to ask us how the food was! CASH ONLY!
(4)Ralph M.
Daily Catch is a tiny, but charming Italian seafood eatery. We happened to arrive early enough to get a table with no trouble, but things went a little downhill from there. Over the first ten minutes, the sole waiter slowly equipped us for dinner. You know, placemats, water, silverwear. Then . . . nothing. A good 10-15 minutes of just nothing. In the meantime, a table that arrived after us ordered, received their beverages and even their salad course. We were ignored. I don't want to gripe on this too much, because the waiter (and for that matter the entire restaurant crew, all three of them), was visible the entire time. That waiter was not slacking off, he was always moving and always doing something. That something just never involved taking our order. I swear he tried, but food kept coming up and he was apparently duty bound to deliver it immediately, no matter what else. My patience can only extend so far. Eventually we ordered, and our food, too, arrived in rapid succession. My sister's entree arrived when she was not more than a few bites into her salad (pacing, anyone?). I had the monkfish, with mushrooms and a marsalla sauce over pasta. A little too sweet for my taste, but some red pepper flakes helped. Still not a home run. I knew I should have ordered calamari something. My sister had the swordfish, and again I was not impressed. There's no denying the place has some charm, but I still don't consider it a positive experience overall. I'd give them another try, but I certainly wouldn't wait in line to do it (as others were as we left). Cash only, BTW.
(3)Hal R.
Black pasta aglio olio was the best pasta dish I've ever had. The pasta is died with squid ink. Don't knock it till you rock it, that dish was on point.
(4)Elen C.
Fun little restaurant. Tiny little spot with at most 5 tables. The food is good homey Italian. Had the stufled clams, and calamari pasta. Delicious. Very friendly staff.
(4)Stephen Y.
Not much of a wait (actually, no wait)... compare to Giacomo's down the block... but why ??? Atmosphere was pure North End.... and nice to see what they are doing to your food right in front of you.... Service was pretty decent- we had the signature big ass shellfish pasta dish- it was quite good- in terms of quality... clams better than lobsta better than mussels... The pasta and the sauce was awesome. I was told by my tablemate that there used to be more goodies ... like scallops... but still it was pretty decent The broiled halibut was freakin awesome.... some melted cheese on top with a splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice... I need to come back to try the calamari next time... Did come back- found out big ass lobsta pasta dish was $70 ! a bit dear !!! And CASH ONLY
(3)Roger W.
The Daily Catch is a neighborhood hole in the wall restaurant. The interior is small and dated. You don't come here for ambiance. You come here for the food. I highly recommend the black pasta. There are three different varieties, and we went with the Agio Olio. It's basically black pasta sautéed with ground squid and garlic. The amazing flavor definitely put it on the top of my favorite pasta list. Calamari is a common appetizer on restaurant menu, but it tends to get chewy with heavy batter at low quality establishments. Not the best calamari I ever had, but the Daily Catch version gets at least three stars in my book.
(4)Christina C.
If I was a giant lobster I would only want The Daily Catch to serve me up because at least I can go out in style. This place serves amazing fresh seafood and who wouldn't want to be bathed in delicious tomato sauce and garlic only to swim with an assortment of sea creatures. I know I do! With beers in hand my parents and I had the $69 Lobster Fra Divolo (just do it! totally worth it) and the black homemade pasta with squid in aglio olio sauce. Superb! The bits of fried squid and the layers of seafood with linguine pasta was beyond your fishee dreams. Although there was only 5-6 tables and not much elbow space the staff is friendly and I love their generosity. They gave $1/day to "Frankie" (local homeless man), shook hands with the regular Italian band traveling through and even insisted on sending away a friend of the staff without paying for their meal. There's definitely a sense of family and heart at this place. It was a fabulous dinner. Just wrap me up in tomato sauce and lather me up for some awesome Italian. No bathrooms? No problem. I will gladly pee in a cup to eat here.
(5)Finola M.
Now we know better but back then, we had just moved into the neighborhood. We wanted somewhere casual but fun to celebrate our anniversary. This was not it. I don't mind cramming into a small restaurant. The problem was that the seafood at this seafood restaurant was WAY overcooked. When fish is rubbery and that is mostly what you sell, it is a problem. We recommend against this restaurant to our friends.
(2)Renee C.
The fried calamari appetizer was luke warm which probably was sitting there and it was not fresh. The fried calamari was very bland and the grilled tuna was good but the pasta was cold in watery "white sauce" which was just water with parsley. The waitress wasn't pleasant and we had to ask for water and we never got any bread. Needless to say I was very disappointed. There are other restaurants that have better food and service.
(2)Shirley W.
Hole in the wall treasure. We ended our short weekend in New England in Boston and thanks to yelp, happened across this nice find. Beware though... when I say hole in the wall, I mean hole in the wall. The restaurant seats probably at most 20. The kitchen is open... this just adds to the ambiance. You see the calamari going in, the squid ink pasta coming out and the smell.... delish! I recommend the Aglio Olio... the ground squid bits... the garlic flavor.... Yum... I'm still drooling as I'm"m typing this. We also had the broiled haddock, monk fish marsala and shrimp, scallops and broccoli linguine. The broiled haddock was tasty. It was coated in bread crumbs and broiled to perfection. Shrimp, scallops and broccoli linguine was linguine at it's best. The monk fish was good, but slightly sweeter than I was anticipating... nonetheless, the plate was still clean at the end of the meal. Save the bread to sop up the sauce in the end. Well worth the wait!
(4)Maggie H.
Had a superb meal here. We ordered the meatballs to start and had the black ink pasta and the shrimp and scallops pasta for dinner. They were both decadent. Simple but extremely flavorful... definitely wonderful comfort food taken up a few notches. Wait was the only down side. But it's typical. One of my best meals in Boston.
(4)Eric L.
Great food great location and the owner is the waiter he is a real cool guy would go back next time im in boston
(5)Bonita Y.
Go with a party of less than 4...its kind of a hole in the wall, but great atmosphere. They serve your dish in a iron pan...thats kind of at it's best. I just love the fact its an Asian man that is the main (and only!) chef...and cooking delicious italian food! However, it needed something...maybe salt and a bit of spice. Their specialty is the black pasta (or squid ink). Get the pasta aglioli, which is wquid ink pasta with minced calamari...tossed with butter and garlic. Mom and Dad loved it (it was also his pre-birthday dinner!) I would pass on the calmari meatballs...it was a bit too chewy for my texture. Can't wait to go there again when I'm in the North End (and don't want to wait for Giaccomo's!)
(4)Tiffany L.
Their black ink pasta with seafood is so goood! I like how their entrees come out in the pans that they cook in--very creative! Super-tasty on a winter day! The workers were also really friendly and had really good recommendations
(4)Rosie Z.
We came here at noon on a Thursday. No line, only a couple tables of people, AWESOME. The food was straight forward and so fresh. I love the fact that there is a lot of attention to details. The basil, parsley and garlic are chopped very finely. The cheese and bread crumbs in the stuffed clam is not overly greasy. You wouldn't expect that in a quick & small place. It is not cheap for a place like this, but the food is definitely worth it, that is if you don't have to wait in line with the tourists.
(4)W.K. G.
We went there Saturday afternoon. The place was packed and we got to sit next to the kitchen and watch the chef do his action. It smelled amazing. Could not believe there was only one chef, one server, and one man to do the rest (cleaning mainly). They did an amazing job making everyone happy happy happy.
(5)Charles F.
Perhaps its the Boston humor, but there was nothing funny about what happened to a certain customer a few weeks back. There's no need to pick on an oriental brother, especially if he's by hisself. Poor customer service is only acceptable at a Chinese restaurant with a B grade or lower. But most places like that make up for it with cheap prices and tasty food.
(1)Kathy C.
Mmm great black aglio olio pasta - really chewy noodles. But careful, the garlic taste is very present in this dish. Service is great, but the website is not updated. Opens at 12pm, not 11am! What a treat it is eating here. Restaurant is teeny tiny and I ate at a table for two in the corner by the front window, and there was no leg space, because the table sat on top a tile pillar that looked like it belongs in the bathroom. Literally a hole-in-the-wall restaurant with great food and service. Only ate here once but would definitely come again. Cash only!
(3)Cindy K.
If you are looking for fresh Italian seafood this is the place to go. I've been to bog the North End location as well as the Waterfront location and both are consistent on quality and service. However I prefer the north end location since it's got that "hole in the wall" feel which I love so don't go to that location if you are looking to impress a first date! For food, I am obsessed with their squid ink pasta ( puttensca style). The pasta is homemade and the texture is just exquisite. Most items on the menu are seafood based and specials are of course featuring their catch of the day. Prices are pretty decent especially in comparison to North End eateries for seafood.
(5)Good M.
It seems like the more run down this place gets, the tastier the food! I've had all of their signature pasta and seafood dishes and each one couldn't be more heavenly delicious. Their kitchen is open, it's enjoyable to watch the cooks prepare your dish in front of you. Service was great, dishes are worth every penny. Don't walk into those fancy schmancy tourist traps in the North End, the food here is just as good, if not, better!
(5)Kyle R.
Few Important tips to start! No reservations and your party must all be there to sit. the place is tiny so go early or expect to wait in line. Bring cash, cash only! Amazing food. super friendly staff. They serve beer and wine. Very homestyle italian atmosphere. tiny tables with the kitechen wide open in front of you make for a ton of great smells pouring out into the dining room Food was top notch. Fried calamari was the best i have had with the exception being in italy. Try the calamari meatballs they are delightful. Black pasta ( make with squid ink) DONT BE AFRAID! the flavor is not intense, Its soooo good. great texturecooked to perfection. i recommend with the Alfredo Shrimp and linguini with aglio e oili bursts with amazing garlic flavor and super fresh shrimp. We also tried the monk fish marsalla which was pronominal. If there is a line, wait, it moves decently fast. Big Up to the chef, he rocks the kitchen solo and KILLS IT!!! i cant imagine how much prep they gotta do each day! WOW
(4)Hao Y.
The food is very special and tasty. But the waitress is a mean old lady. She is so impatient to serve customers. Good food, bad service!
(1)David E.
Okay, this is close to the definition of "hole in the wall" as I have eaten in in a long time. We arrived during a rainstorm at about 2:30 PM on a weekday and were able to get seated quickly...the only hard part was finding a parking spot. I ordered the baked clams, and the linguine with white clam sauce. Never thought I'd say this, but I thought it was better than any I had ever eaten in Brooklyn, NY, where I grew up...and that's saying something. My daughter had their signature squid ink pasta with ground calamari...quite excellent. While the seating is incredibly uncomfortable, the waiter was very good and made sure we were taken care of, and they even have a small, but respectable wine list. I will return.
(5)D M.
In town for a wedding and came across this place and LOVED it. There was a line and the wait was longer than I would have liked but it was worth it. (FYI - the guy estimated a 15 min wait time for us, and it was more like 45 minutes.) we ordered the aglio olio - squid ink pasta with ground squid. And the clam and calamari pasta in red seafood marinara ($22). Was so delish! The place is super small so that's why the wait was so long.
(5)Bill L.
I'm giving it a four rather than a five just because it's small and drinks are served in plastic/paper. Otherwise, it's a five. My parents have been here many times and have tried just about everything on the menu without complaint. I have been a couple times and was always happy. The calamari meatballs, in my opinion, are one of several "why they're famous" menu items. I have tried a few times to reproduce them but haven't found the magic bullet yet. Read about it at cosmiceats.blogspot.com . And get yourself to The Daily Catch, a.k.a. Calamari Cafe. My suggestion for parking? Get a Charlie Card and take the T. Driving in and around the North End is crazy and it's really a pedestrian area. Besides, you'll want to walk a bit after eating. I promise.
(4)Debi H.
This is a hole in the wall type of place but what DELICIOUS food. We would highly recommend and definitely will come back next time we are in Boston.
(5)Mina K.
hole in the wall, other ppl have mentioned. not exactly. this place is famous but yes, its not fancy shamcy. its one room, not even a big room at that. which has the kitchen. and 5 tables. thats right, 5 tables! i came on a rainy rainy saturday night and there was still a line outside. (2 small 2 tops, and the other tables can fit larger parties) no reservations. no credit cards. after you see this place you can see why. (but also, many other places in north end are the same, so really... are you surprised? citizen's bank and bank of america are on hanover st. if you need to hit up the atm) besides all that... the reason you came here in the first place. ahh the food! the amazing food. squid-ink pasta that everyone speaks of will definitely live up to its name. calamari trio (sausage, salad, fried) was top-notch as well. came as a party of 6, dont know what everyone ordered but i can tell you that every plate was licked clean and fast (bc we felt sorry for people peering in at us all warm, dry and eating) come here, be prepared to be fed and fed well. at the expense of a wait (possibly a long one). sitting in the heat of the kitchen on your back. and pay cold hard cash.
(4)Carl N.
Just a word to the wise...read the menu carefully.... we got overcharged for everything we ordered and pretty much swindled into a lobster fradiavolo at $74. It tasted good but definitely not what we wanted. Very unfortunate experience especially because we trusted the help of our server chris. $135 lunch? Ouch, felt very ripped off and i am a very fair reviewer. A great trip to Boston severely impaired by this negative experience :( and the black pasta is WAY overrated.
(1)Angel C.
Squid ink pasta. That's all I have to say. -1 star for ambiance. Small and cramped (typical North End), no bathrooms (more or less typical North End), and wine served in plastic cups (NOT typical North End). Still totally worth it for the food, though. Go on a weeknight - no wait.
(4)Daniel P.
Don't be a shmo who orders something without the squid ink pasta or squid. The place has "Calamari Cafe" painted on the window for a reason. It's stark and chewy and thick and dressed in olive oil with eensy tender bites of squid and garlic. It fills out a large skillet, the remnants searing themselves to the bottom of the pan. It touches heaven.
(5)Bex M.
holy phenomenal they don't take reservations and the place is tiny. we were huddled outside under their tiny awning for a table in the rain. worth it? heck yeah. I've never had calamari balls before and boy, have i been missing out. the mussels were okay, but the sauce was great. we kept refilling our breadbasket to sop up the sauce The lobster fra diavolo for 2 could really feed 4. It comes in a giant pan. It was pretty good, BUT the reason why I love this place is...the black ink pasta! the aglio olio - ground squid with garlic and olive oil. Mmmm mmm mmmmm...a few ingredients, some incredible flavors. I didn't know we could have ordered the fra diavolo WITH the black ink pasta, that would have been GOLDEN. There was so much food, but we were like goldfish and couldn't stop eating. I may have had to hold back some folks from licking the plate. We are civilized folk so used the bread instead.
(5)Amie L.
Cash only! Very, very small seating arrangement. Great food though.
(4)Cahrl T.
Ok you have to be in the mood to sit in a tiny kitchen and eat incredibly fresh fish and pasta. We were and it was great. This place loses a star only because the food is rather heavy (fried / oily) and my clothes smelt like they'd been deep fried. But it tasted great alongside a bottle of Sicilian wine ($30) - Fried calamari. Generous portions, nice and fresh, but too much batter for my liking. - Black pasta putanesca. Delicious. Huge. Heavy. - Pasta scampi (shrimp) al'oglio. Lovely. Garlic heaven. Also huge. Excellent service and reasonable price
(4)Rhea K.
Wonderful food, great people, and good prices! If you don't feel like waiting in the dinner line, have lunch here instead. I stopped in for lunch on a Thursday afternoon and still had to wait, but it was only about 10 minutes. Ordered the calamari meatballs (so good), and got the appetizer portion of the black pasta with aglio olio sauce. The black pasta is a MUST try item. Portions are good and these two dishes kept myself and my boyfriend pretty sated throughout the afternoon. Will definitely stop by again if I'm ever in Boston!
(5)Andrea E.
I'm a Seattle native, and this was some of the best seafood I've ever had. This restaurant does not waste money on fancy digs, fancy plates, or fancy waitstaff: it all goes into fabulous, fabulous food. We ordered the squid ink linguini with puttanesca sauce--the linguine was PERFECTLY prepared, and sauced exquisitely. We also ordered the mussels in herbed white wine and garlic, which were tender, flavorful, and just subtly briny: exactly what a mussel should be. We also ordered prawns in garlic and olive oil with a crisped bread crumb topping, and I don't know how they popped these shrimp under the broiler without over-cooking them but once again, they were prepared to perfection! The restaurant was full of marvelous aromas and it was clear everyone was there for the FOOD. We had to wait about fifteen minutes out front in the chilly evening, but I would wait twice that long, it was soooooo good!
(5)J T.
Really like the squid meatball and squid ink pasta. The entree portion is quite big for the pasta. Should have ordered a smaller portion and get another appetizer.
(4)Sally L.
It was definitely worth the wait! Love the squid ink pasta like other reviewers! The monk fish dish was really yummy as well.
(4)Catherine N.
Their food is delicious! I had the monkfish marsala and the fish was cooked to perfection. We also got a giant plate of calamari and could not finish it!! The monkfish marsala came with pasta and it was perfectly good. For great seafood cooked to perfection, come here! It's plain and simple, but delicious. Next time, I want to try the seafood mix with lobster, shrimp, and clams.
(5)Amber M.
This was a perfect restaurant a couple of friends and I went to on a day we had brunch (so we were hungry for dinner by 4:30PM). We were promptly seated for arriving at such an early dinner hour and greeted with a most interesting ambiance. The dining area and kitchen area are pretty much in one space so it felt like your old Italian uncle (well, actually the chef was an Asian dude...) was cooking up for you some delicious food. Don't miss out on the squid ink Aglio Olio (garlic and crushed calamari) pasta. Again, it's pricey but in likeness to almost all the other reviews it is their signature dish and very worth eating and savoring to the last bite. We also ordered a white wine scallop and shrimp pasta. I preferred the calamari salad (refreshing, good quality, truly delicious) to the fried kind (good but kind of greasy). Skip the calamari platter. I mean, why in the world would you want fries with your italian seafood dinner (and don't let the calamari meatball tempt you, it's not that great). It was a tough call between three or four stars, but I think I'm going to have to go with the former and this is why: 1) Grocery-store quality bread -- it was edible, definitely, but it lacked the rustic, country loaf like quality I so love to enjoy at Italian restaurants. 2) Mediocre french fries on the Calamari Plate -- need I say more? 3) Red wine vinegar and tobasco sauce on the condiment tray -- maybe it's just that I've been spoiled with having balsamic as a usual table condiment companion 4) Plastic cups -- they're just awful and really cheapens the dining experience 5) Price -- pricey. Next time, I'm definitely sticking to all squid ink pasta (there was a puttanesca with anchovies that sounded mighty fine) and the calamari salad!
(3)Sarah J.
This is the only restaurant in the North End that we have gone back to over, and over, and over again. The food is amazing. We've ordered many of the items on the menu and we keep going back to the black squid pasta (both alfredo and garlic/oil are very good), the fried calamari, and the different variations of seafood pastas with marinara sauce are all very good. Portions are very reasonable and though it costs a pretty penny, it's worth every bite! **It's a TINY restaurant that sits 15 people at a time. A number of times, we've sat right next to strangers and even made a few friends sitting at the same tables! Definitely NOT for large crowds and even numbers works out better!**
(5)martin c.
Now, this is my kind of place. It's all about the food and everything else is secondary. It's a hole in the wall with few comforts and drinks served in plastic glasses yet its food is far superior to its Little Italy fine-dining neighbors. If you're willing to cramp up and come out smelling of garlic and frying, your reward will be authentic Sicilian food to die for, fresh, local fish cooked simply and deliciously and served with love. It's hard to know what to choose from the chalkboard menu, it is all so tempting. I have no regrets at choosing the Spaghetti vongole made with delicious littleneck clams and served in its cooking pan. The tomato sauce was perfectly light, allowing the flavor of the clams to play the starring role they should yet mingling nicely with the shellfish juices to coat the spaghetti with enough left over to mop up with bread. It was only chatting with one of the owners afterwards that I realised what I might have missed, the black squid ink pasta aglio olio or one of the mutiple other dishes he declared as his favorite and described in lascivious and mouthwatering detail. The passion shines through and I love everything about the Daily Catch. I can not wait to come back.
(5)Kathy Y.
I went here on a Sunday night back in October. There was a line at 4:30pm! it wasn't too bad of a wait, just a few people in front of us. The place is small - not good for big groups. Not a romantic type atmosphere either, i would say it's more of a place for about 4 people. not more than a party of 6. We had fried calamari as an appetizer, that was excellent. Most of their dishes came served in the frying pan, which is pretty cool i guess, as fresh as it gets. our table had: Black Pasta with Alfredo Sauce (appetizer order size) - i wouldn't recommend the entree size unless if you are sharing it. this is a very heavy dish because of the alfredo sauce, but it was so delicious! i'd recommend this. Black Pasta Aglio Olio - (ground calamari, olive oil, garlic, anchovy) - this was def differently and also very delicious. another recommended dish! Shrimp, Scallop, Brocolli in a White Wine Sauce - this was okay, i thought it was a little bland compared to the black pasta. This place is probably the place I would go to for the black pasta. Still by far the best. There seems to be a wait here, but it's worth the wait. Unfortunately this place is cash only, no credit cards, but they do take out!
(4)Chris B.
We enjoyed the experience, mainly because we went a bit early and there was no line. Seafood black ink pasta was delish, but the real star was a pan sauteed swordfish in a strong balsalmic sauce -- I have to admit, the sauce was amateurish (not balanced), but the swordfish was cooked EVER so delicately... the combined effect was absolutely disbelief -- amazingly good. Plastic cups of wine sealed the deal. Fun!
(4)Will S.
There are a handful of places in the North End where tourists and others line up and wait for seats or service. This is one of the few that actually deserve it. The Daily Catch has been serving up fresh-caught seafood for over 30 years by the same family. We were served by son #5 (out of 7). The dishes are served in the very same pots and pans in which they were cooked, grilled, broiled, or baked. Moreover, the wait staff (i.e., son #5) can tell you where each item was caught. I had swordfish caught off Gloucester, and my wife had calamari linguini. Delicious! A nice treat is to eat at Daily Catch and then head across the street to Mike's Pastries for a sweet dessert.
(5)Laura B.
Basil is a genius. If you love seafood go eat at The Daily Catch. The North End location on Hanover Street is tiny and fills up quickly. There are no menus, just a chalk board with daily specials written on it. Most of the time, there aren't any chicken/steak options- only seafood. The black pasta is homemade and uses squid ink to dye the dough. The Daily Catch is locally owned and operated. Go eat there and support the family that runs it. Plus, it is much tastier and more creative than Legals or Mick & Smicks.
(5)Cheryl D.
The calamari was great, but it seems a bit pricey for a place that gives you water in little plastic cups. I think I would've been more of a fan if the place wasn't so hyped. Squid ink pasta with olive oil and garlic was good. The faint of stomach should beware, it is VERY garlicky and olive oily! Calamari platter was fun with three very different preparations, including a calamari meatball. All were tasty, and the meatball was most interesting, but having tried it once, I wouldn't get the meatball again. Inside was totally hole-in-the-wall, as others said. It was fun to watch the cook and flames in the kitchen area while waiting for the food. Downside is it was pretty loud because of the close quarters with other diners! I guess I'd give this place 3.5 stars, but I can't! Great calamari and novel dishes, but I could probably get food just as tasty somewhere more convenient.
(3)Jeannie H.
I've been to all three locations and they're not equivocal. The best food is at the North End, followed by Brookline, and lastly, the Waterfront. The Waterfront location is certainly to be avoided - poor quality food and lacking in atmosphere. The North End location is stuffy, cramped, and stinks of garlic but that only adds to the charm. I don't think the place seats more than 20. The menu is scrawled onto a chalk board mounted to the wall. Your beverage, including wine, is served in a plastic cup and your meal goes from pan on the stove to pan on the table. There are 3 people who man this place - the server, the chef (an Asian man..I love America), and the "dish boy" (no, there isn't room for a dishwaher). My two favourite dishes are the squid ink pasta with puttanesca or aglio olio and the clams and linguini with white sauce. The flavours are perfect. The pasta is perfect. The beat up pan is perfect. Everything is perfect. I love watching the kitchen...that man can seriously multitask. Four pots of pasta, 6 pans on the stove, and calamari in the fryer. He's an amazing one-man show. Arrive early. Yes, I love the food but am not sure a 2 hour wait is in any way justifiable.
(5)Lindsay K.
This place has so much character. We showed up at around 2p on a Saturday- a couple was paying their bill so we snagged their seats. The squid ink pasta with the ground calamari, garlic, and olive oil was to DIE for!! Keep the bread so you can sop up the gooey ooeey goodness that's leftover after the pasta is gone! SO GOOD!! No frill. A pistacio cannoli a mikes for dessert is the perfect compliment! CASH ONLY!!
(5)Luke T.
The squid scampi dish was the best I've ever had. All the I had here seafood was fresh and the only downside is how tight the space is but you basically know what you're in for when you get in line.
(5)Lily S.
Definitely a small place. And better to catch it on less busy days or early mornings. Their special is the homemade black pasta. The one with ground squid and garlic was so full of flavor and they do appetizer portions which is a perfect serving for one. Calamari were good and the little necks were so fresh! Versions of mussels and clams pasta in red and white sauce was just your usual expected--nothing special in my book.
(4)Mike B.
The daily Catch is a great local Italian seafood restaurant. It is locally owned and operated and is home to the best calamari in the city. Very friendly and efficient staff I strongly recommend.
(5)Brian B.
The best hole in the wall place you'll find in the North End. Been there numerous times and they never fail to please. Try the Calamari meatballs, to die for! Don't be put off by the small dining area (like five 4 tops!), their food packs a big punch, always fresh, and always home-made... also try their black pasta, yes, it's home-made too.
(4)David G.
Came here over the weekend. It is very small (probably fits ~20 people max?), and it is very popular, so either go early and get in line and/or prepare to wait... for a long time. Thankfully, we got there early. Waited in line from 5:30, and about 30-40 minutes later, we were seated. It helped that a group of four ahead of us got impatient, and left. The other diners in the restaurants seemed an equal mix of locals and tourists. Kind of like our group -- 3 tourists, and 4 locals. So, again, this place is super-small. The kitchen is in the same room as the dining room. There were three employees -- the chef, the sous chef, and the waiter. There is no restroom here. You'll have to go across the street to some other restaurant (seems like they have an agreement with someone, so it won't be a big deal). I'd recommend the calamari, as well as the black squid ink pasta, and the shrimp linguine. Servings usually come in the pan that it's cooked in, so that's interesting. I like it b/c it makes me think I'm getting a sizeable portion. :) My friends shared the fra diavolo, which looked amazingly good. The food was delicious. The service was also very good. They do try to turn over the tables quickly, since the line literally lines up outside the door, but they aren't overbearing about it. Boston itself may be a terrible city (full disclosure --- I'm a New Yorker), but this place is a-ok in my book.
(4)L F G.
AMAZING!! My friend and I flew up to Boston during the week for a day, just to get away. We were searching for good seafood, and Yelp led me to this little hole-in-the-wall gem. Located in the North End of Boston (Orange or Green subway to Haymarket and a short walk after), this little gem is located right across the street from the infamous Mike's Pastry's (who doesn't walk out of North End without those little boxes?). We went on a Tuesday evening around 7pm. There was a short line (party of 6 and party of 2 ahead of us). This place is TINY. There is very little wiggle room once you're seated. My pregnant friend had trouble with one seat that backed to someone else who was also wedged in. While we were waiting outside for a table, everytime the door opened, you could smell the garlic sauce waft out, and it was heavenly. There are no bathrooms and it's cash only. The decor is shabby - front window was broken and the mirror on the back wall is cracked top to bottom. The kitchen area, dishwashing station, and wait station and 10 tables of 2 are crammed into an area that can't be more than 20 x 30 space or so. Paper placemats and plastic cups are used, and food is served in the skillet it's cooked in. Minimalistic and practical. We were lucky to be seated on the wall with the menu - and a bunch of awards and news stories through the years. We were able to read about the family, and see photos of the chef cooking in his younger years. After pouring over the menu in its entirety, the waitress came by and asked what she advised. She suggested a seafood pasta plate (not on the menu). It had a range of seafood on it, and we both ordered it - one in white sauce, and one in red. My skillet came with a lot of scallops, shrimp, clams, mussels, squid. For $26, this was an incredible value. The clams and mussels were cooked perfectly, as they were open and plump, and not shriveled up and dried out as some places do. The red sauce was garlicky but not excessively so. It was well-balanced and delicious. I did not need to add any of the condiments on the table (vinegar, oil, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese). I ate about half of my portion, and carried the rest out. My friend added Parm to her dish before I tried it, so I didn't try it without, but it was equally good as well. I disagree that this place is pricey (20-30 a plate), aortion sizes were huge (it was enough for 2 meals) and there was a TON of seafood in the meal. I had the leftovers for lunch today and I'm stuffed. The emphasis is clearly on the quality of the food and flavors here. The bread is purchased from a bakery on Pike street (the waitress referenced the name but I didn't remember it). We were fortunate to come here during the week, and avoid the major lines. Truth be told, I don't know if i'd come wait in line for 2 hours here to get a table, but I would definitely try if I were in town. As critical as the negatives above may seem, I'm ok with all of them (except the bathroom thing - but I don't think that's changing anytime soon) as the quality of food and the experience is amazing. Just don't come here looking for a classy cloth napkin type, and understand it's a hole with incredible food. I can't wait to try the calamari meatballs next time!
(5)Linda H.
Three of us decided to go to the North End for dinner on a Sunday night and we were lucky to come across the Daily Catch as a table was opening up. Appetizer: Black Pasta w/Aglio Oli sauce (ground calamari with olive oil, garlic and anchovy) Entrees: Shrimp, Scallop & Broccoli with Linguine (with the white sauce) Combo of Calamari & Clams with Linguine (with the red sauce) Clams & Linguine (with the white sauce) Everything was delicious! We finished everything, and for us, it was just the right amount. We didn't have room for dessert, but all of the food was so good that it made up for it. I had the Shrimp, Scallop and Broccoli dish and it was superb. They serve their pasta dishes in the pans that they're cooked in. I didn't think I would be able to finish it, but I ate every last bite. The shrimp were giant. The scallops were normal size. The broccoli looked a bit overcooked, but they weren't mushy. I would definitely come back to this place again. I might even consider getting the black pasta dish as my entree rather than as the appetizer....that was delicious too. My dining partners both enjoyed their meals immensely too. Note: This place is cash only, but there are three different banks with ATMs within 1 block (Sovereign, BofA, and another one that I don't remember). It's super small, so you might end up sharing a table with another party. We sat at a table of 6 with another party of 3. Also, as someone else mentioned in their review, there is no bathroom here. I didn't have to use one, so I don't actually know if there is one available for patrons to use elsewhere.
(5)Paul R.
The service was excellent and the food was excellent. Come alone or with one other to get seated faster. We had the mussel linguini and shrimp pasta with white sauce. The mussel linguini was amazing. Worth the wait in line.
(5)Perla B.
I am a big fan of the Daily Catch. Their black pasta is to Die for!!!! try it with the aglio e olio sauce... it doesn't need anything else... I would give it a 6 stars food wise, but it is a hole in the wall and you come out of there stinking like seafood and garlic plus they only take cash and the water is served in plastic cups... not that I am too high maintenance but they can invest a little in the decor or at least in glasses...
(4)Kathy T.
Hanover Street location is SMALL! If you have more than 4 in your party, it's going to be tough! The place is very small and the decor is not great, but if you love great seafood, this is worth the wait, the cramped tables (or sometimes even shared tables). There is another location on Fan Pier that can handle larger parties. I have never been to that locations, so I cannot comment on that. This place has the best homemade squid ink pasta that I have ever encountered. I crave it! I get it served Aglio Olio (with olive oil and chopped calamari).
(4)Chris M.
I do not understand the hype of this place. It is very small (seats 15?) and the kitchen and dining room are the same room. Also they serve your food up to the table family style, and in a skillet straight from the kitchen. I do like those unique feature to the restaurant. Also, I did not mind the 30 minute wait on the sidewalk - go with friends, have conversation while you wait. The food: I went with a group of 5, and we had the squid ink pasta, a lobster dish, a fish fillet, calamari appetizer, and of course a couple bottles of wine. The food was not sub par, but it was only mediocre with the exception of the squid ink pasta (i thoroughly enjoyed it and would return to eat this dish). I've had better seafood elsewhere, and given that the name of the restaurant is "Daily Catch" i would expect them to be able to do something better with the seafood. Go here once for the experience of a micro sized restaurant with unique atmosphere, but I have a hard time understanding why people told us certain dishes were to die for. As I am not a local Bostonian, but a transplant from LA and SF for a year, I am able to get better food, for cheaper, with less wait time, in California.
(3)Lisa H.
My friend and I went here the other day for lunch on a weekday. We got there close to 1 to be there for the second lunch wave. Only had to wait ~10 min so it wasn't bad. The place is very small so we sat at a 6-person table with other people. Didn't really mind that. Ordered their black pasta with aglio oli sauce (each had appetizer size) with a small calamari appetizer. The calamari was phenomenal, the right crispy fried batter (not too overwhelmingly crispy) and the squid itself was very fresh and chewy. The waiter asked if we wanted red or white sauce and at the end they charged us an extra $1 for it. Oh well. The black pasta was VERY flavorful, the garlic taste was very strong, which was delicious, but it had a bitter after taste that we didn't really like (maybe from the pasta or the spices) and decided it wasn't our thing. But the reason this place gets one less star it deserves was the service. I understand if there's only one waiter things will get slow..but we literally waited 30 min for our check. The people who came in with us at the same time left a long time ago and they ordered more things. We asked for the check 3 times! We were both starting to get claustrophobic and left more money since we didn't want to wait for change.
(3)Rachel B.
Best hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant in North end. Cash only and no reservation. I usually order squid ink pasta dish & fried calamari because pasta is homemade and it's delicious. The wines are served in thin plastic cups and meals are served in pan. Menu is written on the black board, which isn't so hard to read. If you are a snobby person who cares for the environment more than food, this place is not for you.
(5)David R.
First come first serve seating makes this a place to go only if you have time, but it was definitely worth the wait. Any pasta dish is good (black ink pasta was unfortunately out when we arrived), but you will be protected from vampires for at least a day after eating! Good house wine to boot.
(4)Kwan H.
This is a very small restaurant with very little seating and an old low-keyed joint feel. The kitchen is right there so you can see the chefs in action but it is also extremely warm and you walk out smelling a bit like you've been cooking yourself. There is no restrooms but I am sure you can use restrooms in other restaurants nearby. They all seem to know each other. The portions here are huge and 2 girls can probably split an entree dish and feel just-right full. Unfortunately, we got there late and were starving at that point. The 3 of us ordered an appetizer(fried calamari) and an appetizer-size pasta(Black Pasta Alfredo) and 2 main entrees(Monkfish and Lobster for 2). The fried calamari was good but not anymore than other places. Two of the entrees were amazing. I would come back here for those again. Now, the black pasta...there was this strange smell and with the super thick and heavy Alfredo sauce, I was only able to take a few(literally, no more than 5) bites of it. We left the restaurant with our wallets about $60 lighter per person, but probably 5 lbs heavier in weight. If you choose to come here, stay away from their Alfredo sauce. The black pasta, apparently, though is one of their signature dish here so try it with other sauce, if you have to. It might turn out better than the one I had.
(3)Kranti M.
AWESOME calamari meatballs, fried calamari and black pasta ! must try if you are in the north end .... the only downside .... LONG WAIT ! we waited for 90 mins before we got seated ... but it also kinda depends on the time of the day you go. The owner is a sweetheart ! He is very attentive to all the guests. CASH ONLY ( like ALL the other restaraunts at the north end). dinner for two approximately $50.00
(4)Brian M.
When I visit Boston, this is my go-to seafood restaurant. Its a little hole in the wall, but like all the reviews below keep on saying...you definately need to get the black squid ink pasta. The squid ink doesn't really add flavor to the pasta, but the pasta itself is very good. Very chewy and flavorful. I had the Aglio Olio (ground Calamari with olive oil, garlic, and anchovy). I didn't taste any anchovy, maybe it was just the slighly salty taste i picked up. But the pasta was very garlicy and olive oily.
(4)Callan C.
Tight dining quarters and plastic utensils and cups makes a strange first impression at the Daily Catch. Once the food is brought out, however, you find yourself forgiving the lack of luxuries and reveling in deliciousness. The black pasta is a must try. It is very rich and filling. Everything else I have tried there is good as well - steamed mussels yum! The Caesar salad was good but drenched in dressing. I would have preferred a lighter version.
(4)Saweena K.
Oh my goodness.... this place is SO GOOD! I found this place on Yelp and knew I was in for a treat. I was prepared.... I beat the crowd and arrived at 5:30pm - seated right away. There are only 5-6 small tables and once they fill up, your wait is at least an hour. They don't take names, you line up outside of the restaurant. Believe me, it's worth the wait. We shared calamari meat balls, black squid ink pasta - aglio olio (ground squid sauteed with garlic and olive oil), and the clam and calamari linguine with white wine sauce. EVERYTHING WAS OVER THE TOP G-O-O-D....ORGASMIC! No joke... We even scored on a order of mussels because they made it by mistake. It was good but the sauce had to be cooked a lil longer bc the taste of wine was too strong. Although this place may seem like a hole in the wall, who serves water in paper cups and their dishes in the pan, the food is absolutely AMAZING!!! Note: They accept cash only!
(5)Greg S.
Enough already. Obviously people have had a good experience here, but I wonder if their vision is clouded by the "hole in the wall" quality of this restaurant. I find this a lot in NYC: people are enamored with the idea of a place, but the actual food and service are really not special at all. My girlfriend and I were very excited to come here on a recent Saturday evening. We were quickly put off. It was before the dinner rush, and the waiter treated us like shit. He made us feel rushed (again, this was not the dinner hour, and I live in NY so know that this is not always personal). I asked what was particularly good, and he said "everything." Not in a charming, smiling way; this was more of a dismissive, "I don't fucking care, just order." This was hardly easy given that much of the blackboard was partially erased. Eventually my girlfriend and I both ordered clam and calamari over pasta. This was unexciting. What I would expect to be a garlic explosion was bland and boring. It was cooked fine, but fell completely flat with respect to flavor. What more can be said? If the flavor isn't there, it's really hard to be positive. I just poured salt on it and worked though it; I was starving. All in all, an especially pathetic experience given the hype. Maybe the waiter was having a bad night. Aside form learning his parents had died (or something else terrible), it's inexcusable. Waiters are the ambassadors of restaurants; thanks a lot, Daily Catch guy, for making us feel unwelcome! Maybe he was too concerned with his large party to spare any good vibes for our mere group of two. Too bad the food didn't make up for it.
(2)Nancy H.
Came here when I visited Boston in April. Just like what the other reviewers said, long wait, limited seats, and for real, it was just like eating in a kitchen- hella hot! BUT that was actually the best part! You get to see how they make your food, and the food was awesome. The Squid pasta was super filling but good! Homie service.
(4)Melania P.
Yes, it's on Hanover Street. Yes it's another hole in the wall restaurant in the North End. Yes, you do have to wait in line to get a seat if you have a large group, go late, or on a weekend. Most importantly, YES, the food is great! I took my mom to The Daily Catch while she was in Boston visiting based on a friend's recommendation. Since we got there early for dinner and there was only two of us we were lucky enough to be seated quickly (don't expect to be so lucky if you're a large group, as in 4 or more). I loved the simplicity of the place, all your food options are on a chalkboard, drinks and wine are served in plastic cups and your entrees are brought out in the pan it was made in. Now, on to the food, for appetizers we ordered the calamari and the squid ink pasta with the punttanesca, both were delicious and flavorful. Having tried the black pasta for the first time I really like the texture and all the flavor it adsorbed from the punttaesca sauce. For entrees my mom ordered the mussels marinara, her pasta was cooked perfectly and they didn't go cheap with the amount of mussels either. I had the broiled Haddock which I thought was on of the best fish dishes I have had in a long time. The fish wasn't over cooked and flaked off easily with just a fork. I'll definitely be going back to get my seafood and pasta fix next time I have a craving.
(5)Cindy H.
The wait is worth it! This is probably the best Italian food I've had (and also the most expensive)! To start, my friend and I ordered raw clams. I really like cooked clams, but I had never tried raw...it was certainly fresh, but I didn't it as much since I'm not a big fan of raw oysters or anything of that sort. The main dish was the Lobster Fra Diavolo. Yum. The lobster was tender and sweet and the shrimp was very fresh. It all tasted so good together with the spicy tomato sauce and black pasta (aka squid ink pasta!). The pasta sounded very weird and smelled a little weird, but it tasted like regular pasta except harder. I'm definitely coming back!
(5)Mario R.
A place as small as this one and as crowded as this one with so many other good places to eat around must be great to survive. Either that or they must sacrifice puppies to a certain deity to keep customers coming back.. I was not able to find the rotten corpses of puppies around; the Calamari Platter was amazing though.
(5)Joseluis A.
a friend of mine recommended this place. he said it was awesome and i actually trust this friend of mine because he knows whats up. so i came for lunch. there was probably 4 other customers inside so it was very slow. the waitress comes by and asks me what i wanted to drink, i had a glass of wine. i asked her what was their most popular dish with their clientele and she sorta just yelled out BLACK PASTA. this lady who i guess is in her late 60s seemed rather annoyed to be talking with me when all i wanted was to love this place. my wallet was at your feet all you had to do is engage with me but this lady didnt. the black pasta i had with the watered down alfredo sauce i ended up getting was lame. cant find another way to describe it. and to top it off. the cooks who are very much right in front of the customers are throwing down dirty jokes in spanish, kinda loud enough for anyone to hear. im fluent so i heard that shit and its not that im offended by profanity in any language but not a a restaurant where people go with their parents or whatever. get it? i left very disappointed and the only way i give them a try is if my friend, the guy who recommended this place takes me and pays for my meal and drinks.
(2)Gerardo F.
The Black Pastas they serve are heavenly. Enough said.
(5)Allison S.
I was finally able to try the Daily Catch after living in Boston for 5 years. I should have gone earlier! We went for lunch on a Saturday and the line was the shortest I've ever seen it - we waited for a total of 5 minutes. I loved how the menu was written on the wall and you're practically in the kitchen. It was like we had our own personal chef! Most of their items did include seafood (hence the name), but there were some non-fish items as well, which is great. It's a super small place with about 10 tables TOPS, so we were sitting at the same table as the people next to us - it was like family style dining. Be careful when your entree comes out because it looks like most of them were coming out in very hot pans and I burned my wrist a few times trying to get as much of the pasta into my mouth as fast as possible. Oops!
(4)Maggie A.
There is no seafood place in Boston, or in New England for that matter, that will beat The Daily Catch. It's teeny, you feel squished while you're eating because the tables and chairs are so small and awkwardly positioned, you get served wine (try the Santa Margharita Pinot Grigio) in small, plastic cups you usually find atop water coolers and the service is merely adequate. However, the food is stellar. Let me repeat for purposes of emphasis: STELLAR. They start you off with some fresh bread and delicious marinara sauce. Dip and enjoy. Dip and enjoy!!! You can get linguine with shrimp, clams, mussels, you name it. They provide lots of garlic for you garlic-lovers; fear not. You can get lobster, you can get spaghetti, you can get penne with marinara, you can essentially get whatever your heart desires. It's expensive (it's seafood, remember??), and worth every penny. They'll rush you out to get the next folks in as soon as possible so be hungry when you walk in. None of this "let me take my time" business is gonna cut it. Inhale it and love it. Truly spectacular, this place. (And while you're at it, run across the street to Mike's Pastry when you're done. They've done pastries for American presidents for crying out loud. I'll review them next.)
(5)Diana L.
You know how in movies when someone finds a hungry orphan child and they give him something to eat and he's just gobbling it down all wide-eyed and crazy while guarding his plate with one arm and there's food all over his face? That's what I look like when I eat here. I believe I frighten the other patrons. It's possible there's crack in their black pasta puttanesca. It tastes SO good. I love the thick, al dente texture of the pasta and the super flavorful puttanesca sauce with the large slices of bell peppers cooked to perfection. The fried calamari is pretty fabulous, too. Someday, when I have $70 to blow on pasta, I will come back and get the lobster fra diavolo for two, which in my case would be lobster fra diavolo for one. It smelled incredible. Grar.
(5)Piyali S.
If you love seafood, you'll love the Daily Catch! I wrote a pretty scathing review of another seafood restaurant in the North End recently but you know what, I don't like writing bad reviews! So as a weird form of redemption I decided to yelp about my favorite seafood place in Boston: The Daily Catch! I hear there are two locations but I've only ever been to the one in the North End and it is DIVINE. As with a couple other favorites of mine in Boston, The Daily Catch doesn't take reservations and even on a weekday the wait can be long. I end up waiting at least thirty minutes every time I go and they're really bad about time estimations here BUT you can use this time constructively to go withdraw the cash you'll need to pay for your meal (sorry, cash only). Okay, now for the good stuff: the fish is definitely the freshest I've had here in Boston and probably in the top three for New England. Get the calamari for your appetizer or maybe get after the recently added calamari meatballs (I've never had it so I can't say). The Monkfish Marsala is unique and like all the fish entrees, it comes with a choice side of pasta (you choose the pasta type and sauce I think) and their tomato sauce is out of control good: it's wholesome, full of tomato flavor and I feel good about eating it! (unlike most pasta sauces that taste closer to something artificial like ketchup) The pan-seared swordfish is pretty darn good too and no frills - just fish. Since all the fish is fresh, you get to enjoy the actual flavors of the fish, usually masked by fishiness. Nothing fishy about the fish here! Seafood lovers (and others) - enjoy!
(5)Christoper L.
From the moment I walked in the door I know my experience would be review worthy. Walking in I was greeted by our server Gino? He was very personable and really facilitated our decision making. He recommended the black squid pasta with ground calamari. (To die for) even the chef seemed to be enjoying himself behind the line and introduced himself on our way out. Hopefully those of you who come soon get Victor and Gino as a team! Thanks for an awesome lunch guys
(5)Aaron P.
Ate here mid-afternoon 7/23. Was totally not prepared for how small this place is! I don't know how you would ever get in at peak times. The calamari is just incredible. You wouldn't think there is all that much to frying calamari. However, their calamari is hands down the best I've had. We ordered the black pasta puttanesca (Mushrooms, onions, peppers and anchovy butter) based on recommendation by a local. HOLY SMOKES!!! This was the best and most unusual dish I've had in a long, long time. My wife and I couldn't stop ourselves!!! We also had shrimp scampi. The "sauce" was just outrageous. We found ourselves dipping all the bread we could get our hands on in this stuff. WOW! No bathroom. No dessert. Cost 'em a star. Otherwise, this place is the real deal. And the smell in the place is just incredible. Can't wait to go back to Boston because of this place.
(4)Loan L.
When they say the place is small, I had no idea how small it was...however, I didn't mind it as much. The food was not bad. My bf had the scallops in red sauce over a bed of pasta which he devoured. The bread that they serve as an app looked hard as a rock. I ordered the broiled haddock which was ok along with a side salad. The salad was awful because they pretty much emptied a bottle of Italian dressing in my bowl. My complaints had to do with the noise. The workers were constantly pounding the dishes as they were being washed and put away that I could barely hear my own conversation.
(3)Jie D.
I'm a big fan of seafood so this place didn't let me down! It looks like a small restaurant but the food is so good!
(5)Thomas M.
Awesome food. Very reasonably priced. It's a small joint, but that has meant my friends and I met new people more than once while eating here, as you share tables. The calamari meatballs are awesome, as is the squid ink pasta. Anything from the ocean is guaranteed to be great.
(5)Paul D.
Interesting place, just not my cup of tea. Waited 1.5 hours to sit in an uncomfortable corner booth. Had the lobster Fra Diavolo which everyone recommends and some friends say is the best meal they've ever had. It was a fresh, tasty and interesting dish, but I think i'm just clearly not a shellfish fan. If you love lobster, clams, etc., you'll like it--As long as you don't mind a long wait, drinking from plastic cups and sitting in the kitchen. I for one would go elsewhere, but that's just me.
(3)Karam S.
"Daily Catch" was by far the best find on my trip to Boston. Granted this was not a trip where I did extensive research on restaurants since the food scene wasn't my main concern. That being said, my friend and I strolled up and down Hanover looking for a place to eat Saturday night. Because it was late we hurried into the first restaurant that would seat us, "Dolce Vita," the worst find on the trip. After a pretty terrible experience there, and a weird overly touristy, cliché vibe I got from the street I thought I wouldn't want to go back, but on the walk back to the T we passed by "Daily Catch" and I was floored by the simplicity inside. The tiny kitchen intertwined with the handful of dining tables was fantastic. We got to eat there the next day for lunch. First of all, I hate expectations; you get your hopes up and are rarely met. This was one of the few occasions where they were met. The black pasta was fresh and tender and did not needed much to it. The calamari (small) was portioned perfectly, lightly fried so you could really taste how fresh the octopus is and again did not needed much to it but a little bit of lemon. The first hint that calamari would be a good appetizer was that octopus is spread out through out the menu, calamari balls, the Aglio Olio, so stick with an octopus dish, at least on your first visit, its not to be missed. To top it off the chef was great. Friendly, definitely not overly friendly, something that tends to be a pet peeve of fine, and he took our order from inside the kitchen, which I think is great. A little dorky and over zealous, but I liked that. Moral of the story...EAT HERE. If you like good food, very mellow atmosphere, then you will enjoy your visit. My only con, a tad pricey. But I am more than willing to pay it for that kind of a simple, fresh, clean meal.
(5)Keri M.
Where else can you watch the chef casually pick up a butcher knife and chop the live lobster or crab in half and throw it on the pan? You know for sure your food is fresh. I love the homemade pasta with squid ink. So good and fresh. The sauces never dissapoint. I would give this place 5 stars except the prices are too high and the seating situation sucks, frankly.
(4)Matt S.
This place is unreal. We had two of the Lobsta DiAlvo platters which were phenomenal. Served in the pan which they were prepared, it's homemade pasta, a full lobster and handfuls of clams, oysters, shrimp and fish all in a tomato sauce. The house red was fantastic too. Small, intimate, in your face good service - absolutely wonderful.
(5)Joon L.
Very Very good italian food. The view of the harbor is absolutely gorgeous. I love the way they serve pasta. They serve nice and hot and in the pan! The one complaint is the service that is either very good or sometimes bad. The crowds can make you wait hours to get in. Definitely recommend reserving.
(4)Kara L.
We randomly stopped in here one Friday, there is usually always a line, but we lucked out. I had the Monk Fish and it was delicious. My bf had something with Shrimp that was a bit spicy, but also so good! Overall the decor isn't great, but the food is A+.
(4)Jeremy P.
The first time I came here was when I was a senior in college. My dad was in town for business, so my girlfriend at the time and I drove into Boston from Worcester to see him. He picked this place. It was positively tiny; there are only 6 or so tables, and you are literally inside the kitchen. But you know, that's actually part of the appeal for me. I love food and I love to cook; I also love to watch other people kicking ass in the culinary department, which is what they do here. I still remember 8 years later what I ordered. I had a Chilean sea bass in red sauce over pasta. Nothin too fancy, but oh God it was good. So good. I remember to this day how amazing the food was, and how the three of us were just having a lovely time eating this delicious food (and knocking through several bottles of wine). The last time I came here I had their puttanesca with squid ink linguine. I could have eaten it forever. Spicy enough to wake you up but not spicy enough to melt your face. And the way the pasta blended with the strong flavor of the sauce? Heavenly. Downside is that this place can have the tendency to be very crowded, due to the caliber of the cuisine and the fact that the North End is always jam packed with tourists and self-entitled douchebags. Also, some people might take offense to certain things such as wine being served in paper cups. But you know what? Fuck them. It's all about taste, and the Daily Catch delivers. Have I had better seafood dishes before? No doubt. But the ones from the Daily Catch are the ones I remember.
(5)Sonny D.
this is my go-to place in boston, and one of my favorite italian restaurants. as pretty much everyone has mentioned, their squid-ink pasta is legendary. i've had this dish over the years, and i'm happy to say that it remains the same- simple, tasty and satisfying. just be sure to drink lots of liquid afterwards to wash down the blank ink. either that, or don't smile.
(5)Cathy M.
This place has been a favorite of mine for years. Most times I have gone there on dates, but my absolute favorite time is when I go with friends. It is now an annual day after Thanksgiving event. I consider it my Black Friday excursion, as I ALWAYS get the black pasta with alfredo sauce.........to die for. My friends and I start off with the calamari meatballs. We share like four orders of them and they have the same consistency with every bite. Every one of us orders something different and then we share it all. There has not been any dish that I have not totally enjoyed. Their lobsta diablo is awesome and is shared by two people, well that's if they like to share LOL This year one of my friends got the shrimp scampi and we should have ordered more, it was just that scrumptious. We were not rushed and our waiter was absolutely wonderful. I give this place ten stars..................then go down the street to Mike's pastry if you have room for dessert.........but that is another review for another time. Enjoy!
(5)Joe R.
A tiny place with seats for about 20 people, the Daily Catch is well worth the 20-30 minute wait your likely to endure on a Friday or Saturday night. They don't do reservations, so the wait is part of the experience. The food was pretty good - I shared the Lobster Fra Diavlo: lobster, shrimp, clams, and mussells in a spicy pasta. Every part was very tasty, although the lobster was a little on the chewy side. I'm not a huge lobster guy, so maybe this is how it's supposed to be...
(4)Tiffany W.
savory. seafood. a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant you'd easily walk by without seeing (def did the first time I tried to find it), but don't miss out on this place located right across the street from Mike's Pastries! the long line speaks for itself, so wouldn't recommend coming here with any more than a group of 4 ppl definitely try the calamari black pasta (scary to see at first, but really really good) and seared ahi tuna... skip the clam chowder, surprisingly disappointing at chowderfest this summer
(5)Melisa K.
Excellent food. So fresh. Loved the wine in the plastic cups although my husband hated this. Very small inside. It seats maybe 20 and trust me that would be tight. Kids loved it also. My only complaint it that it was a bit pricey for just pasta and no frills. But with that said would still go back in a heartbeat.
(4)Laurel B.
Despite its almost-Boston sensibilities, not to mention a solid Little Italy, San Francisco does not do Italian seafood the way Boston does. I've been coming to the Daily Catch oh, practically since college (since college). The cornmeal dusted calamari, the squid ink pasta . . . all were new culinary experiences for me. Not to mention the shock of seeing the chef cleave a lobster, live, and then seeing wriggling away in different pieces on the counter. I'd keep the menu ordering simple, but there's no substitute for good Italian seafood. (And then there's always cannolis down the street for dessert.)
(4)J J.
With an unassuming exterior and interior, The Daily Catch has hearty and delicious food. It's a bit of a hole in the wall, with limited seating. You may end up sharing tables with strangers and bumping into people - I guess one could say the dining experience is a bit New York-ish! I hear the fried calamari is excellent, but as I was full, we only ordered the entree-sized portion of the black pasta cooked with ground squid and garlic in olive oil. First of all, it's an open kitchen so you can see everything that goes on (including the chopping up of live lobsters!). They serve the meal in the pan it was cooked in. It was a tad oily, but really tasty. And absolutely filling. We scraped up pretty much everything that was in the pan. Cash only. It's not a complete bargain, but it definitely won't break the bank either.
(5)Tiffany D.
This place is so AMAZING! It's small and feels like your eating just out of a restuarant's kitchen but it's SOOO good and fresh! I love how they serve you right from the pan and the menu is simple but everything is great! It's cash only tho, so don't forget the cash!
(5)Angel S.
tiny place but the large dish is not. take caution when ordering. My Putanesca pasta came in the pan...but I was able to enjoy the rest of it later that night. MMM!!! Im hungry now. Very good place and I'd say a better alternative to some of the bigger places in the area.
(4)Bruce S.
The Daily Catch is one of my favorite restaurants in the North End - Boston. I've been eating here for over 20 years and there is an absolute charm about this place. The restaurant is very small with two tables for (2) in the front window sections and about 3 - tables that will seat (6) people each. Don't come here with more than 4 -6 in your party or lest thy shall experience a lengthy wait during the busy times. It's all about seafood and pasta... The linguine & calamari (white or red) is the best anywhere (although I prefer the red); it's served to you in the pan the dish is finished in which makes it awesome for sopp'n - no matter what anyone's opinion is of the bread. Check out the calamari salad it is also second to none. Upon opening the door and entering the establishment, you will instantly whiff the lovely smell of garlic and olive oil, as the kitchen is an integral part of ambiance. Best assured the ingredients are always fresh and the calamari is tender. I highly recommend this place if you are in search of the best Italian seafood in Boston. As the aromas are infused into your nostrils you will notice the chianti served in plastic glasses will taste better with every sip... Bon appetito!!!
(5)Bob T.
Food is 2.5 stars, setting is 1 star, service is 1 star (for the bums rush they give everyone to get them out). What kind of Podunk resturant doesn't take reservations? It gets a pass on food quality because of all the tourists who wrongly think line=good. Spend you time and money elsewhere
(1)Marcus A.
If you're looking for great tasting seafood, this is the place to go. If you're looking for refined elegance....keep walking. The Daily Catch is a closet sized restaurant ( a total of 20 seats fills the tiny space) in Boston's north end. The kitchen and dining room are literally one and the same, allowing you to watch your meal being prepared. Any money the eatery makes clearly isn't spent on the decor. A simple "no frills" ambience inhabits the place. The menu is written on a chalk board mounted on the wall. Drinks are served in small plastic cups and entrees are served in the saute pan used to cook them (a nice touch in my opinion). What The Daily Catch lacks in visual appeal, it more than makes up in food quality. I ordered the fried calamari to start. Surprisingly, it didn't come with the traditional hot peppers on marinara dipping sauce that I'm used to with other places. Just a wedge of lemon. Not a problem because it was fried to perfection. A sprinkle of parmesean cheese while still hot and a squeeze of lemon was all that was needed. Crunchy and delicious. I then had the linguine with white clam sauce. Not the absolute best I've ever had but a very close runner-up. Great blend of garlic, butter and wine. Definately leaves you feeling satisfied. The only disappointing thing I had were the calamari meatballs which I ordered to go. Two good sized meatballs in a marinara sauce. I thought the flavor was somehow off. Perhaps it's just that I'm not used to calamari mixed with ground beef. The place is "cash only" but prices are reasonable so a huge wad of dough in your pocket isn't neccessary. If waiting out on the sidewalk is not your cup of tea, go for lunch or an early supper to avoid the crowds. Recommended
(4)John A.
NOW we're talking! Thanks to terrific reviews on this site, we found this little hole in the wall (seating for 20, tops!) and we're very glad we did! Not pretentious, just perfect and authentic. From our first look at the menu (a chalkboard), we knew we had found the real deal in Boston, after trying a few posers (Boston seafood diners will understand - a U-turn might be "Legal," but not exactly satisfying!). I couldn't resist the calamari platter, which was just right, with mild, tender rings and, um, tendrils, more calamari in the salad and a calamari meatball, which was wonderful, tender, subtly flavored... The Missus enjoyed shrimp and scallops over linguine with broccoli; perhaps the shrimp was a tad bit overcooked but the flavor was marvelous. Pasta is searved in a saute pan - awesome! Save room for Mike's Pastries across the street and then head a bit south to the friendly, hilarious Connah Store and you will have experienced the best on the North End.
(5)Rob J.
This place is awesome if you're like me and you rather eat in a barebones restaurant with good food, then a classy one with average food . Don't take someone here if they're not really a seafood lover, because they might have trouble finding something they like on the menu. I love how theres only a handful of tables, theres an open kitchen, and it is a store-front restaurant. I can't remember what I've had here, but I've been twice, and I'm looking foward to going again.
(5)Orville J.
They've only got about 4 tables in the whole place. I can't say enough good things about this place. Sonya and I had one of our most memorable dates here. The food is out of this world!!! The atmosphere is great if you're into the tiny hole in the wall bistro type feel. The stove is right there, with all the scorched all-clad skillets hanging around it. It's full of the flames, bustle, and smells of busy little restaurant, but somehow it allows you to be more intimate that way. It's just awesome. If you are in Boston and need to impress someone with a real "foodie" date, hit this place up. It will get you MAD props. Especially if your date likes seafood.
(5)An-Chian K.
Really excellent food if you're willing to wait. They only have 5 or 6 tables so don't be surprised if you have to share yours. This restaurant is really cute! Their kitchen is right next to the dining tables and is only separated by their work counters. Many of the dishes are served right in the pans in which they are cooked. Everything there is so fresh and delicious. They specialize in all things squid and feature Black Squid Ink Pasta. I always have to get a side of Linguine with Clam Sauce every time I go. Make sure you bring cash though because they don't take credit cards.
(4)Fred C.
It's hard to go terribly wrong in the North End, but if you're willing to wait a little (because there aren't a whole lot of seats & no reservations) then you should definitely have dinner here sometime. The ambiance is like being in the kitchen yourself and eating straight off of the frying pans. If you prefer things cleaner and more proper, then you should probably wander elsewhere. I like the squid ink pasta in the putanesca sauce and pretty much everything else too. Just don't tell too many friends you're going or else you might never get to eat.
(5)William P.
This place is outstanding for FRESH LOCAL FISH! You don't go to Mickey D's for a steak, so why would you come to a FISH RESTAURANT for ANYTHING else? Pasta? Duh. Walk two doors down and eat pasta. As you can see from my photo of the menu board- it ain't $95 to eat here- not even close- but its not cheap either. Yes, it is very small, very small. and yes- there are only a few tables, 5 or 6. and yes- they don't take reservations or Visa, and yes- you will wait for a table. But if you do, you will have the best piece of perfectly cooked Haddock, and for that matter- the best piece of fish, perfectly prepared, that you have ever eaten in any restaurant- bar none! You need instant gratification? Go for a late lunch instead, but make sure you take care of "seeing a man about a horse" first, cause yes, there ain't no restroom. You need atmosphere- go to that pasta place down the street and listen to Frank Sinatra piped in for your listening pleasure. The Daily Catch is all about eating well.
(5)CB B.
If you eat fish (not me) I've been told by by dining companions that this place is the best. If you are vegetarian or vegan (me), your only option is pasta marinara--which wasn't very good.
(4)Seafoodie R.
very good food, the Linguini with White Clam Sauce is phenomenal, they use fresh littlenecks (not canned) which makes a world of difference. One of the best LWC sauce dishes in the city!
(4)Rally P.
This is one of my favourite places in the North End. I always get the clam linguine in white sauce and my wife always gets the calamari with black ink linguine. Speaking for the clam linguine, I love the very clammy flavour and the garlicky sauce. They serve your meal in the actual skillet they cooked your meal in which I find pretty neat. This is a tiny place and you're pretty much sitting in the kitchen. It's a unique atmosphere and I like it a lot, but it can feel claustrophobic. Also, sometimes the waitress is in a bad mood and often it feels like she's rushing you to finish and move on, mostly because there's usually a line of people waiting to get in. I chalk it up to a classic Boston type of interaction so it doesn't bug me too much.
(4)Keiko K.
This place doesn't mess around. Why bother putting the food on plates when you can serve it out of the skillet? And who ever said that wine can't be served in an 8 oz. plastic cup? And, really, is it that necessary to be comfortable at the table? The reason why The Daily Catch doesn't have to bother with the niceties is because their food is THAT good. The high prices don't reflect the dingy ambiance, but luckily, the food is worth it. Like the place itself, the staff is very friendly but down to business. I love this place and I'll keep going back to get my fix.
(4)mookiedee f.
expect to wait. expect that it is worth it! this place is tiny and you may share a table but, again, it's worth it. mussels and calamari appetizers. lobster fra diavoli and swordfish entrees. everything cooked to perfection. fra diavoli not too hot but a nice kick (ordered for 2 but enough to feed 3 or more). this place really is tiny so the 3 member staff was friendly.
(5)Brian D.
I can't do it justice. Just go there and find out for yourself. Keep an eye out for the scallops in the tomato cream sauce. I would stab people to get at a plate of those things.
(5)C W.
let me start by saying my hubby is EXTREMELY picky over food. if we go to dinner and it isn't good the whole night is ruined for him, and me. we went to boston for my b-day from dec 1 - 5th, 2010. when we got there he decided he HAD to have "clam chowdah". we asked around and were told to go to legal seafood, i checked here and other places and the reviews were just "ok". i checked around and saw the daily catch on hanover street had nothing but fantastic reviews so i called and was told no dress code or reservations were necessary. we got our butts out the door, hopped on the T and headed over. imagine our shock when we walked up to THE smallest restaurant ever, that looked like it should be shutdown. NEVER!!!!! judge a book by its cover. we went in, took a seat and within 20 mins were eating THE best mussels i have ever had. (sadly the clam chowdah is only made later in the year). lets just say i was on a diet and not eating bread and i finished off the loaf they gave us sopping up the broth. we moved on to the entree, mine was pan seared swordfish with a salad (forget the salad, next time i would have gotten pasta to soak up the sauce) delish, hubby the monkfish marsala with the monkfish in the sauce sitting on the plain pasta. hubby actually moaned when he started to eat and said it was THE BEST food he has eaten in a restaurant in years. he said the marsala sauce the monkfish was cooked in was fantastic with the pasta. now hubby is 5'8, 200 lbs and can eat, but he couldn't even finish his meal because the pieces of monkfish were so large. the place looks like a hole in the ground, they have 10 teeny tables and can only seat 20, (while we were there the restaurant almost got full), they have no bathroom, or drink menu other than wine and beer and no desserts (there is a fantastic bakery across the street), had to go somewhere else for ice for the drinks. BUT!!!! the place is VERY clean, the cooks are amazing and the service fantastic, plus the food rocks and we were in and out in under an hour. i cannot wait to go back to boston and have dinner there again. it was THE best meal we had in 5 nights.
(5)Brendan M.
A mixed experience this one. My Zagat gives it a food rating of 24, so I was pretty excited heading in and we ordered the calamari platter and clam linguine in a garlic and oil sauce. While not bad (especially the calamari) I found they didn't live up to the hype, especially given the price - most entrees are around $20. Still, the food would still merit a 4-star rating, but we were seated in a tiny table in the corner where I ended up sitting next to the table rather than at it because there was no place for my legs. Also the drinks came in plastic glasses - I don't want to seem to uptight about this, but if a meal is going to put me back $50 (for two) I expect a proper glass. So all in all, not bad, but don't expect to be blown away.
(3)Grace C.
this place is all about the food. it's no frills and divey, but i had some of the best calamari, freshest seafood, and linguine marinara i've had anywhere. for what it is and how big the portions are, the prices are actually very reasonable... especially if you go family style. i loved it.
(5)Arik C.
A hidden gem in the most walked street in Boston. The Daily Catch offers great seafood and pasta dishes in a small setting. It seats about 15 people and you can literally see your meal being cooked in front of you. Great black squid ink pasta with putenesca sauce dishes and if you don't see what you like, the chef can make pretty much anything up for you. A great deal on food and price. If you love seafood and italian cooking, stop by.
(4)Steve Y.
very small place so get here early, and it's nice to watch the chef at work. extremely friedly waitstaff, and the menu has a nice seafood selection, with many calamari dishes. had the calamari entree in red sauce, and it was pretty good.
(3)Adrienne H.
The putanesca is great, crusty warm bread nice people. My friends like the calamari and alfredo. If you just want a reasonable amount of food try the appetizer size for the pasta dishes, the entree is a sautee pan's worth so you'll bring some back I promise!
(4)L Y.
THIS PLACE IS SO AMAZING; I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT IT IS NOT TOTALLY PACKED!!! I am glad that tourists don't know about this place. I was told by a friend that I MUST try this place. When I read about the black ink squid pasta, I was sold! This place made me nostalgic for Italy! I loved the simple ambience--the way they have the menu on the chalkboard and place the pan directly on the table. I mean, it's a total hole in the wall (tiny, no bathrooms, no high chairs), but our family just loved it! We thought the service was friendly and homey. And the food...just incredible! I absolutely LOVED the black ink squid pasta (with homemade pasta). It was totally the kind of thing we would get in southern Italy! The monkfish marsala was lightly fried in a marsala wine sauce with mushrooms--it was delicious! If I lived in Boston, I would frequent this place quite often! I just LOVED this place!!!
(5)Khalid S.
Last time I came to the North End and walked by this place, I had already eaten but still the smell of fried calamari was very tempting. So, this time I went straight to this place and ordered the calamari platter which comes with a lot of calamari in more forms and shapes than you could imagine. There was fried calamari, calamari meatball, calamari salad, a side of fries and complimentary bread. It was absolutely amazing. The atmosphere enhances the experience here, the place is tiny and old, seems like they do a lot of business but apparently haven't done any renovation/remodeling in a looooong time. Be prepared to wait in line, hungry patrons wait and drool outside staring at the lucky ones sitting and enjoying the culinary delights. Also be prepared to share your table with a total stranger, there's scarcity of space big time. You can see whatever is going on in the kitchen, couple times the pan caught fire which I guess happens often since the chef just went about his business. He had to... the lines were getting longer. No doubt the food is great, but the environment is below standard considering its location, although I think the prices are reasonable.
(4)Jason A.
I'm really not sure what people are talking about. After reading the reviews posted I was anticipating a great meal and unique atmosphere at a family-run holdout. What I received was on par with most any chain with an amateur kitchen staff. The fried calamari was good; only positive of the dinner. The tuna was overcooked and didn't taste fresh. The salad had half inch of vinegar drowning out any taste that might have been found otherwise. And when I ordered a bottle of house white I was told "we're out of it, why don't you try the ____" I'm not particular so I said sure. Well, my $25 house bottle order ended up costing $47, which is a serving stunt I usually reserve caution for only at crap trap restaurants. Way to go Daily Catch you have just lowered yourself to the level of...actually I think this was the worst seafood experience I've had in years. And at $20 a plate this place is no deal.
(1)Jenan A.
Not so hidden gem on Hannover street, I prefer this location than the more glitzy premesis close to the ICA although the outside patio seating at the second location is delightful in the summer. Go in hungry, order the black spaghetti with garlic, olive oil and and minced squid. You will not be disappointed, that is as long as you don't mind a bit of olive oil and a ton of garlic Enjoy
(5)David K.
This is the better of the two daily catch restaurants in Boston. It's a dinky hole in the wall with extremely limited seating which means you either have to come super early or be willing to wait for an hour or more to be seated. The food is awesome. Definitely get the black pasta with aglio olio and the monkfish marsala. The squid ink pasta itself wasn't the best. It was a bit too doughy and lacked flavor. However, the rest of the food were on point. I couldn't get baked clams or anything like that because my girlfriend doesn't like them... SIGH. If you are looking for a place to eat for dinner or lunch in the area, I highly recommend it!!
(4)April C.
My husband and I were VERY lucky that our toddler decided to nap just as we walked up to The Daily Catch. For our entire 90 minute wait, she napped, which made it very easy on us as we stood there... and stood there... but it was WORTH IT. We arrived around 2:30pm on Labor Day weekend. I'd recommend coming back on a non-holiday so hopefully you won't be waiting so long during such an off-time to eat. Fried calamari: 4/5 - the marinara sauce is delicious. The calamari was very tender - not over cooked at all. There could have been a bit more seasoning on the batter, but it was all still very delicious. Squid Ink Pasta with Alfredo: 4/5 - The pasta is a bit thicker than spaghetti, so some might think it's al dente, but I thought it was cooked through more than that. The alfredo sauce was rich, but not as rich as I expected. We ordered an appetizer portion since we were going for the Lobster FD as the main course. Lobster Fra Diavolo: 5/5 - this is hands down the best non-cheesy pasta dish my husband and I have ever had in our entire lives. The red sauce is so flavorful with the hint of seafood and white wine. The seafood was very tender - the mussels, clams, calamari, and of course lobster. It was a lot of food for two people. Service: 5/5 - the one server works his butt off. I don't know how the chef is so consistent with his cooking at such a fast pace. This was the highlight of the trip.
(5)Naiyi C.
There is no reservation, no waiting list, no takeout. Still you see ppl line up outside this 5-6 tables restaurant whenever you walk by. We waited for about 70-80 minutes in the line from 2PMish to 3 something. And it was totally worth it. Daily Catch serves SINCERE seafood pasta. Ground squid with garlic black pasta- Aglio Olio & Shrimp scallop broccoli pasta ordered. What we go were homestyle cooked pasta served right in the pan. It's actually smart. So you don't waste any sauce while dumping it into a big plate. Feel free to scrap anything sticked on it. Also saves labor since there is only one person cooking. Overall my Boston experience isn't that great. Got into unnecessary line for several times. Daily Catch has been the brightest spot for me. While you're waiting. Look cross street for the line outside Mike's pastry. Be glad you return on time-waiting-in-the-line will be much greater.
(5)Janet H.
Best pasta I've had in my life! I'm not a huge pasta person because of the carbs, but eating the squid ink pasta is a rite of passage. You should definitely just dine here once and go all out and get the lobster sea food pasta (lobster fra diavolo) BUT ask for an upgrade of the squid ink pasta! Fra diavolo sounds like "of the devil," doesn't it? Anyway, it's pretty obvious what this dish entails. If you scroll through pictures on Yelp it's the big plate of red sauced pasta w/ generous portions of seafood. Do keep in mind this place is TINY and can seat only ~20 people. You'll get to see the chef cook in action and it gets pretty warm in there. And of course, there's always a long line... what I don't understand about this place is that they don't have a list to put your name down! It's ridiculous that they have the power (sigh) to make us poor customers wait 2.5 hours in the damn sun. Even Neptune Oyster takes down names, sheesh! We got really lucky and got seated within 30 minutes peak time. Tip: go w/ one other person... It seems like a lot of parties were 3+ so there weren't enough tables, but enough to squeeze 2 parties of 2 into a table of 4. This is starting to sound like a math problem. On top of the long line, service is mediocre and a bit unprofessional. I won't go into details on this.. Despite the service and long wait, food was fantastic and delicious. Would I go here again? Probably not, because I don't want to wait again. TL;DR: Come with only 1 other person, get here early, and get the Lobster Fra Diavolo w/ squid ink pasta!
(4)Kris M.
Fried Calamari: Ordered the small serving which is good for two. The calamari melts in your mouth only that the batter is a bit bland. $11 Lobster FD: Upgraded to black pasta. Everything tasted fresh! Only imo, the pasta sauce is a bit on the salty side. All seems to be drowning in the sauce. $78 Saturday night. Labor day weekend. Everywhere there is a line. We waited for 1.5 hours to get seated. Mind you they only have 20 seats, with one chef, one sous chef/dishwasher, one server. Major turnoff: The server got loudly rude to a group of customers when one of their friend stepped out to grab something across to Mike's pastry. He was like "Call your friend right now to get back here! I will only give you 5 mins! I have a long line outside to get seated and she has not started her food yet!" Probably he has the right to get upset. But to humiliate the diners loudly? I don't think it was justified. Plus he smelt like he had some wine. Was it worth the price? I don't think so. Will I be back? Not so sure. 3 star for the freshness of food.
(3)Jess T.
The restaurant is a Sicilian seafood restaurant with one chef and one waiter at a time. As an appetizer, we got the mussels in white wine sauce. Mussels were fresh tasting, sauce was ok. As for entrees, we got the black squid ink pasta aglio olio with crushed calamari and scallops added on and the linguine and clams in the white sauce. Maybe it's because of the high anticipation before visiting Boston. I was so excited about checking out this restaurant. However, after an hour wait to get a table (we got here at 9pm on a Friday night), everything just tasted one note to me. Garlicky and salty. Not sure if it's worth the wait but then again I didn't get a chance to try the lobster far diavolo that everyone raved about.
(3)Davy K.
You would never know how amazing this restaurant is by just looking at it. It's a hole in the wall. It is a tiny place with only a few tables. There is no bathroom and they don't serves dessert- you would have to go across the a street for either option. The lines are sometimes really long down the block because there is no waiting area inside this tiny place. Aside from all those quirks, this place has the best Italian food! Pasta is served hot in the frying pan! Wine is served is served in plastic cups! The red sauce is so flavorful! I don't know what their secret is but I have never been able to recreate it. The kitchen is an open kitchen so you can see the chef cook. My favorite is the linguine vongole w red sauce. It's garlicky and has a little spice. I love coming here!
(5)Annie C.
You can always expect a lengthy line of hungry patrons waiting to dine here so plan accordingly and be prepared to wait. The restaurant is extremely small, seating a maximum of only 20 people. The layout of the restaurant is an open kitchen, making it seem more spacious than it actually is. Be sure to stop by the bank since this place is CASH ONLY! SCALLOP LINGUINE -- Unfortunately, the linguine in this dish wasn't cooked until al dente. I felt like this spoiled the dish for me. The white sauce had a very simple flavor that didn't dress the pasta well. Also, the pasta sauce was filled with oily emulsion droplets which made it unpleasant to eat. On the brighter note, the scallops were good. It was fresh and had a mildly sweet taste to it. LOBSTER FRA DIAVOLO for two -- For a hefty $75, you get yourself a whole pan full of pasta loaded with seafood. This includes lobsters, little necks, mussels, shrimp, and calamari. Live lobsters were literally cut into pieces right in front of us prior to cooking. Afterwards, all the seafood is simmered in a rich and spicy seafood tomato sauce served over linguine. The sauce was a tad too spicy for me and I felt that it masked the delicate flavors of the seafood. However, my companions all enjoyed this dish very much. AGLIO OLIO -- The one dish that everyone raves about after dining here and it definitely lives up to its hype. It's essentially fresh homemade squid ink linguine tossed with olive oil, ground squid, and sauteed garlic. The aroma of this dish is indescribable. My mouth was salivating the moment I caught a whiff of the smell as our waiter placed our dish on the table. Nothing screams orgasmic like the first bite of this pasta...every bite was so divine. The ground squid made it even more amazingly delicious by adding on to the depth of flavors. It was truly love at first bite. MUST GET!!! The service is spotty but keep in mind that there is only one waiter, one busboy, and one chef servicing the whole restaurant. Besides, the food makes up for it. Overall, I highly recommend this restaurant. Definitely try to squeeze a meal here on your next visit!
(4)Tina L.
Came here on a Monday evening. The wait wasn't very long, we only waited about 15-20 minutes before being seated. Due to the small size of the restaurant (only 6 or so tables), my boyfriend and I shared a table with a lady eating by herself. This wasn't really an issue - instead, it added to the cozy atmosphere. I got the clams linguine with the white sauce and my boyfriend got the squid ink puttanesca. We also got fried calamari as an appetizer. The calamari was perfectly done. Not rubbery at all. The spicy sauce they have on the table (not sure what it was but it was red and thin) went really well with the calamari. Marinara sauce cost $1 extra but the dish didn't need it. The entrees we got were incredible. My clams linguine was so flavored and garlicky. The pasta tasted fresh and al dente and there were enough clams in the dish. The portions were large enough that I was not able to finish the entire pan (the entrees all come in the pan it was cooked in). I tried the puttanesca as well and it was just as delectable. I can confidently say this was the best pasta/Italian food I've ever had in my life (and the chef was Asian!)
(5)Andrew T.
Oof. One of my coworkers had an uncanny ability to pick restaurants with lines around the block, so after a couple attempts, we literally just started looking in windows for places that had available seats. Thank goodness that we ended up here. The place is tiny...I dunno, 6 tables? Maybe? But we waited outside for a little while and eventually were seated by the waitress, who, bless her heart, was running the front of the house by herself without losing her mind. Not that the back of the house was in a different spot...it's very visible from the tables, which is pretty cool. We started with fried calamari, which were awesome - tender and tasty, and a massive serving. Cue the always funny "well, I'm full" comments as the appetizer plates were cleared. Then for dinner, three of us split the lobster fra diavolo and the squid ink pasta with ground clams (I think, I might have that wrong as I try to remember), which was a special on the menu that night. Both were excellent. Wonderful seafood, nice tender pasta, and realy great sauces. I especially liked the pasta with ground clams, even if it was a tiny bit oily for my preference. Throughout the meal, the service was friendly as the night started to settle down for our poor waitress. She was kind enough to let us eat our cannoli from the place across the street when we were done, as they didn't have dessert on the menu. The restaurant is cash only, be warned, but there's an ATM just down the street if you get in to trouble. As with a lot of places I visit while traveling, I might not ever have a chance to go back, but I certainly wouldn't turn down an opportunity.
(4)Jodi R.
I ordered the black pasta aglio y olio. It was good but not great. Can't complain and can't rave about it. In some ways I feel I could have done a better job for my food blood garlicgirl.com . The stuffed clams the same; not anything to write home about, but I enjoyed them. I liked that this was easy, not over priced or pretentious. If you're looking for that ultimate flavor, texture and presentation... Not the place. BUT if you want a delicious and satisfying meal in the north end without all that foo foo stuff, this is the place!
(4)Nicole A.
Literally as good as it gets. We ordered the Squid Ink Lobster Fra Diavolo and I would do it all over again... My only tip is that I would time it out this way you don't have to wait to long, like if you go around 4/5 you should only have a 20 minute wait which is perfect because by the time you finish eating you don't completely want to kill yourself and put sweatpants on because you've had time to digest comes 8/9.
(5)Ellean Z.
I tried this place with some friends one Sunday afternoon with much anticipation because this place is so highly-recommended and we were all craving seafood. I went with a group of 5, but we ended up splitting into 2&3 to be seated more quickly. The restaurant itself really is a hole in the wall with only 6-7 tables total. It was bad enough having to wait in line outside in the rain, but have to watch the seated patrons eating through the glass while you wait is a particularly torturous in itself if you're famished and already salivating. Thankfully, Mike's Pastries is right across the street, so if you want something to munch on during the long wait, it's readily available. Going in, I already knew that squid ink pasta was a must try, so I split a puttanesca squid ink pasta and an order of fried calamari with a friend.The calamari was decent, and the squid ink pasta itself was quite nice. The puttanesca dish as a whole, however, left much to be desired. I expected the four scallops we got to be plump and juicy, but they were dinky and unimpressive. The pasta itself was also drowning in a pool of salty oil. With so many great seafood options in Boston, I'd steer away from The Daily Catch and dine elsewhere.
(2)Mellie J.
We couldn't get into Neptune's Oyster so decided to give this place another stab (couldn't bother waiting in line on the Friday night when we arrived in Boston). Get here just before it opens and you'll get into the first round of diners ordered the lobster fra diavolo, fried calamari and the pan fried swordfish. The calamari was fried really well and came out quickly - I didn't eat the swordfish, which my dad said wasn't that great. The lobster fra diavolo was delicious - the fusion of seafood, pasta and that special spicy tomato sauce they use was on point! I took off a star because the service wasn't that great (it was more family run) and they add a 20% gratuity automatically to your check.
(4)Jim K.
We spent a week in Boston and should have eaten every meal here! Monkfish Marsala is the most unique dish I have had in years. Excellent flavor. Squid ink pasta is amazing. My wife had broiled Haddock and was extremely pleased. Mussels are excellent. This place is excellent and will frequent whenever in town! Workers are all family of the owners.
(5)Yujin O.
We got there 6:30 when the line was still short! it went by pretty quickly, waited for 30 minutes for 3 people. I Ordered the squid ink pasta with calamarie and garlic and it was very delicious. Will definitely try again.
(4)Taffany H.
With all the ratings and excitement for this little hole in the wall, my curiosity was peaked. Knowingly, we decided to skip the dinner line and showed up first thing around opening time and voila, we were seated as soon as we walked through the door. We ordered 2 things: 1) The Black Pasta, aka squid ink pasta, and chose to go with the Aglio Olio route. The pasta was a bit on the undercook side but edible and I tasted the slight bitter sweetness of the squid ink and the grounded squid and garlic in olive oil in which the pasta was tossed was on the bland side and needed the grated parmesan and chili flakes to dress it up. I'm not sure if this was intentional but I think this dish could have been better if it were properly cooked and seasoned from the kitchen. The prime time show for this lunch was the Lobster Fra Daviolo. And yes, the portion is huge...large enough to serve 4 adults. At $78/pan, yes, pan, the serving vessel in which this Lobster Fra was cooked and serve, the seafood contained in the pan is pretty good. The lobster was live and butchered right in front of your eyes and you may have to avert your eyes if you don't want to see the act because the kitchen in this place is right in the dining area. I find the Lobster Fra's presentation to be awe-inspiring, like flashy things in Las Vegas but the taste was a bit pedestrian. The lobster, being cooked at the same time as the sauce and pasta, turned out tough and rubbery and its freshness ruined. Like meeting a handsome man with the appearance and gravitas to find out there's absolutely no substance in his brain is how I felt metaphorically about this Lobster Fra. At least now I know, and am glad to have tried it to tell you all about it. So if you're really curious and don't mind standing in long lines for a good looking dish that taste pretty much like something you can get anywhere else then do wait in line or show up early like me. But be warned, the pan is huge so come prepare to eat!
(3)Mimi N.
Waiting an hour long for dinner worth it? Yes Eating dessert before dinner? Do it, especially if you're stuck in line and Mike's Pastry is just across the street. I will say that The Daily Catch is definitely a place to stop by if you're in the mood for seafood/Italian style. From the delicious freshly cooked pasta to the homey feel of the place, it was a very enjoyable experience. My friends and I came around 5pm on a Saturday for dinner. We ended up waiting around an hour or more and in the process, we all ran across the street for some pastries at Mike's Pastry. That did stave off our hunger until the big dinner time. The Daily Catch is a very small place, with a super limited staff of like 3-4 people. It's pretty awesome that you can see the chef make your food since the kitchen is right there near the tables. We ordered a shrimp linguini, squid ink pasta, and calamari. My goodness, it was food coma time. The squid ink pasta (basically it was pasta made from squid ink) was flavorful, chewy and very different from your usual Italian/seafood dish. The linguini was a buttery and creamy delight to the taste buds. It wasn't too heavy and seasoned just the right way. As for the calamari, this was an excellent appetizer where you can taste more of the calamari vs the fried coating. Another neat thing about this place is that as food gets served right off the pans as they're finished. Pretty nifty to not have to wait for the food to be served onto the plates and such. I would recommend this place to anyone who stops by Little Italy area of Boston, but do take heed that this place doesn't take reservations. Plus, small groups works better at this place (2-4 people) due to the limited seating.
(4)Chantal L.
The squid ink noodles are delicious! The ink turns the noodles black, and the texture is firm. It creates a unique experience in pasta-eating. It comes with your choice of sauce. I had it with white sauce and really enjoyed it. I've also tried the linguini with clams. Compared to the squid ink noodles, the linguini is just okay. The clams were very good though. It's kind of cramped inside with tables are so close together and the kitchen completely exposed. Personally, I really like the set-up though. It's a different dining experience. It does get hot in here and you'll leave with your clothes smelling strong of their food. I don't recommend coming here if you plan to go somewhere afterwards, like the movies or a party.
(4)Jaclyn G.
I had my sights set on visiting The Daily Catch while I was in Boston this past weekend. However, since they don't take reservations, it was highly unlikely that our party of 8 would be seated here easily. So we ended up making reservations at Panza -- When we got there 20 minutes before our reservation time of 9:15 pm, we were told we probably wouldn't be seated closer to 9:30, so we left & tried our luck elsewhere (especially after reading other reviews of their poor reservation system and still a lot of people waiting to be seated). Lucky for us, The Daily Catch didn't have a line, which is just a block away across the street. We only waited about 10 minutes while another group had just left and they cleared the table for us. Upon seating, they brought out some bread baskets for us. I ordered a glass of red wine, which was served in a plastic cup (doesn't bother me much but it might for other people). The main reason I wanted to come here was to try their squid ink pasta -- I ordered the aglio olio, which is the squid ink pasta with ground squid and sauteed garlic (lots of it) and olive oil. If you love garlic and squid, then this is the dish for you. A normal human being would probably eat 50-75 percent of this huge portion entree, but I couldn't help but continue digging into the oily, garlicky and salty squid goodness (plus I didn't want to have to bring this back to our hotel). I also got to try the squid ink pasta puttanesca, which was also equally great. Everyone in our party was very happy with all the different seafood and pasta combinations we all tried. The whole restaurant itself is very small so seating is very limited. The kitchen area pretty much takes up about a third (almost half) of the entire space but you get to see the chef cooking up your food, which are then served in the pan it was cooked in. It seemed like it was only operated by 2-3 people. Despite that, the chef churned out every dish very quickly and simultaneously for our large group. This restaurant is a no-frills casual type of place. But I enjoyed the intimacy and the feeling like you're eating in someone's home. Since we were one of the last few parties here, we also did not feel rushed. Don't forget, they are cash only here.
(4)Jenna C.
This place definitely lives up to the hype. I think technically I should take off a star for the grungy location, long line, and cramped seating... but that's the fun of it! The hubs and I ordered a regular portion of the linguine and clams, and the appetizer portion of the squid pasta. We also got the fried calamari. Everything was so delicious, with the squid pasta being the standout. The calamari was slightly less crispy/tender than I would've liked. But otherwise, it was my favorite meal in Boston (maybe tied with Sweet Cheeks). The server was very friendly, despite having a very hard job of being the only server at this crowded, popular place! Remember cash only!
(4)Liang Wei W.
Lobster Fra Diavolo: Overall, the best of the three that my wife, friends and I had. Although the pasta was a tad overcooked, the chilli and tomato sauce was tasty yet not too overpowering. The lobster was freshly killed and cooked, giving some deliciously succulent flesh. The rest of the seafood - mussels, clams and calamari - was fresh and done all right, but nothing particularly rave-worthy. The dish stood out as being a classier take on a homecooked dish. However, for the price of 78 dollars a pan, I thought it was not value for money. Monkfish Marsalla: We had this with squid ink pasta. The pasta had a texture like undercooked udon and was not particularly delicious. What saved the dish was the grilled monkfish fillet that was perfectly cooked, moist and lightly crisped on the outside, smothered by the smooth and sweet marsala wine sauce. This gave the best value at 25 dollars a pan. Spaghetti Aglio Alio (24 dollars a pan): We had this with prawns and scallops and sauteed broccoli. The seafood was properly cooked i.e. not overcooked/undercooked, but lacked natural sweetness and umami. The white wine left a hint of astringency on the tongue while the copious amounts of olive oil and garlic masked most of the flavours of the ingredients and gave an unpleasantly greasy aftertaste. Other things to note: - Our first basket of bread came cold and we only got warm bread on the second round. - With only 20 seats, it gets cramped. Being so close to the open-concept kitchen also meant getting some of the smells in our hair and clothes. - Don't try entering with the produce you buy at Haymarket. We were kept from bringing them into the eatery because there was too little space.
(3)Sinan Z.
Terrible service. The waitress was incredibly rude and racist. I would give it a 0 star if possible.
(1)Asif F.
I met up my friend and his wife here for dinner and we waited for about 50 minutes before being seated inside. The restaurant is TINY...almost like a hole in the wall place, if you will. You can see the chef/cook preparing the food and there are about 7 tables. Once we were seated I ordered the fish and chips. The fish was fresh and I loved it! And no...they don't take reservations.
(4)Osman J.
Stopped by for lunch while visitng Boston...glad I did because it was one of the best lunches in a long time. Squid linguine was the bomb, super flavorful, large portion, fresh Calamari perfectly fried, best texture I've had anywhere Great choices of Italian beers just sealed the deal The place probably sits 20 people at max, so the line gets long quick! I came around 12:30 and waited about 30 minutes to sit, however, it was truly worth the wait.
(5)Seth F.
In my opinion, very hyped mediocre no frills Italian food. Service is terrible, and you'll likely be ignored unless you have been there before. Oh, and be prepared to be served your drink in a plastic cup.
(2)Anne T.
The BEST bite in North Boston! We went on a recent trip, my boyfriend had been coming for years and hyped it up. However I was not at all disappointed. Family style seating, CASH ONLY and don't be in a rush. We orders the linguine clams in white sauce, steamed clams and sautéed broccoli all delicious! Yum!!
(5)Julie R.
Came here on a recommendation from my brother who had been here years ago when he visited Boston. He had told me that we may need to wait to be seated (can be up to two hours), so when we arrived and saw a line of like 8-10 people in front of us I wasn't surprised. Luckily 4 of them decided to leave and we were able to get in quicker than expected (waited about 20-30 mins to be seated). This is a very small place, seats a maximum of 20 people. But being small does not mean it lacks in flavor or anything. I'm not a huge seafood kinda girl, so I know you're thinking, what was I doing here? But if someone insists that something is good I will give it a try. Once you finally get seated the waitress goes around getting everyone's orders, so if you're not ready when she gets to you be ready to wait until everyone else has ordered and then she comes back to you. I honestly had no idea what to get since I'm not a big seafood fan, so we had to wait. Our waitress, can't remember her name, but she was so nice and helpful once she came back to us. I told her my dilemma with not being a big seafood fan and she suggested the black pasta, and I'm so glad she did because it was amazing. Also mentioned how I mostly drink sweet wines (and they only had red and white wines) and she brought a couple different ones for me to try as well. I even asked if she could charge my phone for me and she was like oh yeah, no problem and went and put it to charge. My husband ordered the Lobster Fra Diavolo (for one), because it's normally a two person plate, but even then that thing was HUGE! Two people can eat out of the one person one, it brings a whole lobster, clams, mussels, shrimp and calamari and pasta. You can leave it with the regular pasta or upgrade and pay a few more bucks for the black pasta (squid ink). I did try some of the lobster (because everyone said I had to have New England lobster before saying I don't like it), but after trying it multiple times I'm just not a fan, sorry...I tried :-/. As I mentioned above I ended up ordering the Aglio Olio, which is the black pasta with ground squid sautéed with garlic and olive oil. I think I liked the squid only because it was ground up, otherwise I probably wouldn't have liked that either. I'm a huge fan of garlic and this dish had a ton of it, so that probably helped me love it more. My mouth is salivating just thinking back to this amazing pasta dish (even though it was 4 months ago that I had it)! I had the entree size of this, but I definitely could've gone for the appetizer size because I had left overs. Will definitely have this dish when we go back to Boston (hopefully later this year). All the dishes come in the pans they are made in, so that's pretty cool. And the kitchen is right there so you can watch the chef make everything while waiting. Oh, only thing that kind of sucks is that they only take cash, so take plenty of it because there are actually quite a few places around Boston that only accept cash. Other than that this is a great little place in the heart of the North End aka Little Italy in Boston. My rating is more of a 4.5 than a 4. Definitely recommend it if you're in the area and looking to eat seafood or some delicious pasta!
(4)Asonya R.
The kitchen made a mistake and sent out our appetizer and entrees at the same time. The waiter saw it fit to yell at us from across the restaurant for having a problem with that. Unapologetically, taking issue with us for sending the appetizer back. This conversation went back and forth all while he was serving other guest for the whole restaurant to hear. Just me or something wrong with that kind of service?
(2)Irene C.
During my trip to Boston in past weekend, I was wanting to take my husband to NO NAME to have the lobsters, however, the recent low yelp reviews really scared me, so we decidede to go to " The Daily Catch" instead after yelping and saw so many nice reviews about it. We arrived around 3 PM on Sunday afternoon, luckily there was no wait while we arrived. There is no menu, everything was on the giant blackboard on the wall. We ordered the famous famous " Lobster FRA DIAVOLO" ( $74 for 2) , at first I was a bit hesitant if I should order this, I thought it was a bit pricy. But the portion is huge so actually $ 74 is not too bad. And when it is delicious, you actually don't think it's expensive. The seafood they put in is very fresh, the sauce is full of flavor yet light, it's not salty at all, you might see tons of chopped garlic in the sauce but you won't feel the garlic overpowered. The noodle is also cooked perfectly. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! Funny part is it's an Italian restaurant but the chef is Chinese ( I think his name is Jimmy because the waitress kept yelling at his name( is she the boss? Not sure . But she is really bossy. ). Since it is open kitchen so pretty much every one in the restaurant can hear she yelling. I haven't been to any place like this before, where the waitress yelled at the customers who walked in that " You wait outside!! ". It is a definitely an unique dining experience to me.
(4)Jane L.
Waiting for an hour (or more) to try the amazing black squid pasta is too worth it. I've been there twice so far and I was happy for both of the time. Fresh seafood and the authentic sauce really make the dish exceptional.
(5)Yvonne L.
HOLY AMAZING GIANT PAN FULL OF SEAFOOD AND PASTA! This tiny little restaurant packs huge flavor into their dishes. I quite possibly ate a whole section of the ocean while there. Okay, major over exaggeration, but still: lobster fra diavolo with mussels, clams, shrimp, and scallops? Droooool. Clams casino? Yum! It was a bit of a wait for a Sunday afternoon, but I think the delectable dishes at The Daily Catch were worth the wait in the end.
(5)Joy C.
I get strong, random cravings for the algio olio squid ink noodles here, a flavorful dish which is comprised of ground squid sauteed with garlic and olive oil, made to order and served steaming in its pan.The lobster fra diavalo, which is chuck full of mussels, clams, and lobster, is also a tasty meal, and more than satisfies two ravenous bellies. While waiting for above mentioned dishes, a must-try appetizer is the calamari; the exterior is perfectly fried while somehow keeping the squid juicy. There's only one chef for the whole restaurant, and it's pretty impressive watching him whip together all these orders at once. It seems there are two cooks who rotate every once in awhile, and my favorite one is the Asian guy (Jimmy Lee). Quite simply, I feel his food tastes better and has a more consistent flavor profile. Try to either come on a weekday or around lunch time. It's almost guaranteed that you'll wait at least an hour (if lucky) for dinner. And make sure to bring cash!
(4)Paul Y.
Sometimes, the long wait and hole-in-wall create the illusion the food that you waited so long for is better than it actually is. The daily catch benefits from this illusion (the classic trendy-adds-a-star effect). Do not get me wrong, the food for a group of four we had ranged from good to great (hence the stars), but it was not 5-stars wow-worthy. To cover all the bases Squid ink pastas (25$): These are delicious; the putanesca was quite good and the aglio was probably the highlight. Lobster for 2: 78$ Wow this price was pretty steep. The lobster was cooked in a tasty spicy tomato sauce and came with an assortment of seafood, but it was disappointing to see it came with a huge pile of unremarkable dried box pasta- not because that is awful and terrible but that for a expensive dish, and because they obviously have the capability to make delicious handmade pasta, I was rather disappointed. Yes lobster is not the cheapest, but it is so far out of the price range of the pasta (3 pastas and change), it was not worth the money I guess I will say that if its a nice day, the line will be long, and as long as you maintain happy optimism it'll be a great time. The food smells good and I have always loved hole in wall restaurants. The kitchen is open to the restaurant (five tables large), and the three people who staffed the entire restaurant moved with remarkable vigor. In the end, it was a good meal, and I left maybe 2 pounds fatter than when I went in. However, the food was not to die for and I am unsure if I would wait another hour to go again. Especially in a neighborhood of even higher stature restaurants (with equally long waits), the daily catch will not become my everyday go to
(4)Jason L.
Waited about 1.5 hours to grab 2 of 20 seats in this tiny little place on Hanover St. Figured it's worth a try if that many people were willing to wait in line. But then again, almost every restaurant on this street had a line wrapping around the building. (Is it a Boston thing to just wait in line without having your name put down on a waiting list?) But it was definitely worth the wait. I've never had lobster so plump and juicy! The squid ink pasta was alright....but take some home to go and try it after it has soaked in the sauce for a few hours...delicious! We were snacking on it back at the hotel until the next morning! The two guys running the joint were very welcoming and made sure everyone was having a good time. Make sure you bring cash though. This place, as well as a lot of other places on Hanover, only accept cash.
(5)Megan Y.
After my first impression, the largest downside to this place is that it is cash only. This sucks especially because their dishes are still fairly expensive. On average you better have $40 in cash to cover the food and tip plus any drinks you decide to get. The place is also very small but I think that adds to the charm and family-owned feel of the restaurant. They're very Italian here and might even yell at you to wait outside if all of the tables are full. Take it as part of the experience and enjoy the Boston cold :). My recommendation after only an initial visit is to order the monkfish marsala. The fish was very fresh and the sauce not too heavy like I've found many Italian dishes can be. It also comes with your choice of salad or pasta. I got the pasta and it was a generous portion for a side plus it was cooked to perfection of course.
(4)Yanill P.
Overrated. Tourist Trap! The wait time was ridiculous. I shared the 'Clams and Calamari Pasta in Red Sauce' ($22) with my friend and we were underwhelmed. It was quite flavorless and we found ourselves adding tons of seasoning to give it flavor. My boyfriend had the 'Shrimp Fettuccine' $24 only 6-7 shrimp. Again, he added seasoning to it. The place is overpriced, tiny space and food is below average. Tourist trap go elsewhere. I wish I could give it 2.5 stars (3 might be too many). The only positives were that the service was excellent and food was still alright after we fixed it ourselves by adding seasoning. Also, 'Calamari' was delicious! However, I will NOT return. FYI, Cash Only!
(3)Wilma O.
I don't quite get the hype. Though while I have visited Italy, I prefer dishes that go for "delicate" flavors, so I may not be a good judge of Bostonian Italian food (which seems very "rough" to me). My friend and I both got squid ink pasta -- mine with the anchovy sauce, hers the aglio olio. Hers was tasty and garlicky but very one-note. Mine was also tasty and tomatoey but didn't have much depth of flavor. I prefer a much more squidy and inky squid ink pasta; I would have guessed it was normal pasta if my eyes were closed. I wanted some meat or seafood in my dish, and my friend wanted some vegetables. I liked my friend's dish, but I would be alright never eating mine again. As mentioned by others, the space is cramped and the service is blah. We both rate our dishes as a 3.5 and I'm rounding it down because of service and atmosphere. Also, as a note, we went in mid-January at 7:30pm with dry, chilly weather (mid-20s) and had no wait!
(3)Ninihada C.
The food is fantastic. Cash only so that's an inconvenience. The queue process should be explained better - a sign on the door or just let the one waiter know to be a little kinder to people. Ya kind of just stand around and wonder what the hell is going on. Service was brusque and sharp- not a fan.
(4)Christine W.
Came here based on a recommendation from a friend to check out the north end and get some delish seafood here. My be and I walked from back bay over to the north end and was able to snag a seat right as they opened. We came here on a Thursday, while yelp says they open at 11am, they actually didn't open till 11:30am. No matter, we walked around north end following the freedom trail and was able to kill some time that way. We got seated a little after 11:30 in the corner. The place is pretty tiny so it's best if you come as a party or 2 or 3. If you are a larger party you should come earlier and be ok with sharing a table with a couple of strangers. Back to the food, we ordered the Sicilian style mussels, the clams casino and a small order of the squid ink pasta with garlic and squid. Everything was super fresh and delish. Great sharing portions! My bf and I enjoyed everything, especially dipping our bread in the mussels broth - yum! We would love to come back to try the lobster entree. We didn't realize that you could order a smaller portion. Great place to check out excellent seafood in the north end. Don't forget to go across the street for a cannoli at mikes pastry!
(5)Tyler M.
One of my favorite restaurant in the United States. The north end of Boston is well known for its top quality Italian food, almost every restaurant can be dubbed the best in America due to its quality, portion size, and service. There is one restaurant that stood out to me among the rest. At The Daily Catch, there are 20 seats and the line is out the door the moment they open (GET HERE EARLY). There are about three workers at a time, one cook, one person to prep the food, and a waiter. The waiter I had was apparently the son of the owner and was very nice and informative about the restaurant. The restaurant has been in the same location since 1973 and there are two other locations in Boston (Go to the north end one if you can help it.) I asked him what they were known for and he told me their specialty was calamari and gave me a free piece! They don't have any paper menus; what they have for the day is written on a chalk board on the wall. They have many seafood items, but I would recommend a squid dish. I ordered black squid ink pasta and a side order of muscles in white whine sauce. Both dishes came out quick (not too quick) and were very simple but next to perfect. What makes this place so special aside from the atmosphere is the simplicity and quality that goes into their dishes. I have had four items here and all were excellent. If you are in the north end COME TO THE DAILY CATCH!
(5)Jenet S.
Meh, I guess it's a tourist trap. Went here last month on a Sunday. Figured we'd come early cause there'd be a line plus it said it opens at 11 online. When we went they said its still going to be a half hour. Went across the street to grab coffee came back & there was already a line. Waited at least another hour. Got food, squid ink pasta & linguine with seafood/white sauce. Just tasted blah, could use a lil more seasoning maybe even just a touch of salt. Oh & its cash only which is typical around the north end but they also add the 18% gratuity on the tab. We almost double tipped. So be sure to look first! Overall it's small, overcrowded, overpriced & overhyped. But try it for yourselves.
(3)Kat V.
Let me start off by saying that my husband does not eat seafood and he actually enjoyed the monkfish marsala. I myself, had the black pasta with squid, and clams in white wine sauce. My husband and I both agreed that although everything was good, the clams were easily our favorite dish of the night. We used our bread to soak up the sauce because it was so yummy. We liked the place because it wasn't one of those super fancy restaurants, it was very straight to the point...the focus was on the food! They even serve water in plastic cups. We also enjoyed watching the chef cook while we waited for our food. The bad part of it all was the one hour wait in line! Good food, good service...will be back!
(4)Jeremy K.
We just took a five day trip to New England and this was the absolute best place we ate. The dish we got was for two people and called Lobster Fra Diavolo. It was an amazing dish full of seafood in a tomato sauce. The place is so small we could see the chef prepare with a fresh lobster. Keep in mind the place is small and only accepts cash. There's also a good chance you'll be seated with people you don't know. It's all worth it though!
(5)Jackie V.
I was in Boston for Spring Break and decided we'd go to Mike's for some cannolis which is right accross the Street from the Daily Catch. This strip where the restaurants are located is super cute. There's tons of restaurants, bars, shops etc - good luck finding parking, tho. We decided to give this restaurant a try based on the amazing reviews it has here on Yelp! When we got here, we were surprised at how tiny this place is. There's literally 5 tables, 1 cook, 1 server & 1 dishwasher - that's it. We waited about an hour [outside, in the freezing cold] to be seated and it was worth every minute! The seafood served here is so fresh, the dishes are well planned and put together with love and pride. You can really tell the cook loves what he does. It is a little on the pricy side but if you're a lover of good food, it's worth it. I had the aglio olio, scallop pasta & calamari. The calamari was the most delicious & perfectly fried calamari I've ever had. The Aglio Olio with squid ink pasta was also delicious! If you're not a lover of garlic, I don't recommend this dish. The ground squid was surprisingly different but good. My next visit I will be trying the lobster fra diavolo. Only downside is the service isn't the greatest but the food makes up for that, in my opinion.
(5)Matthew Z.
Really good squid ink pasta and mussels. Open kitchen. Refreshing bare bones atmosphere.
(4)Dane C.
We waited over a hour. It was totally worth it. Great service. Fast chef. Good wine. Authentic. Delicious. Would visit again.
(5)Daisy D.
The worst experience ever!!! The waiter gave us a bill with 20% tip included. And we ask why, he told us because he didn't trust us. He yelled at us and said you are fou and tell us to get out of the place. We still left tips but definitely not 20%. I understand that we are international students but we study in USA for three years in NY. We know what to do with the tips. He is just the most disgusting man I've ever seen in my life. Never ever come back again!
(1)Nicole J.
Visited the Monday evening of the Boston Marathon, looking for some delicious seafood and pasta. Well, that better be what you want because that is pretty much all they have here, and holy COW it is amazing! We got lucky and got inside before the dinner line started (we're all from the west coast so we eat earlier than east coasters). We arrived around 6:30 and took a seat in the middle of the restaurant at a communal table. Let me warn you- there is not a lot of room in this place. About 70% is kitchen and the other 30% is restaurant. Hope you are friendly because you will definitely get to know your neighbors here! The menu is on a chalk board above the wall, and there is a small selection of beer and wine that gets served in plastic cups. It feels like a family meal, just so relaxed and homestyle and delicious. I had the Monkfish Marsala over squid ink pasta, and my dining companions had he shrimp linguini and clam linguini. It was all delicious, I couldn't tell you which one I enjoyed more. Definitely try to squeeze a meal in here on your next visit to Boston, you won't be disappointed!
(5)Chris S.
This place has some great squid and some theater too. To start, we had to wait in line for about 45 minutes, but quite worth it. My friend and I ordered two items, a small fried calamari and a large squid ink pasta with the aglio olio sauce; both were exquisite -- lots of garlic, good for your heart so make sure your partner has some. If you like squid, I recommend both of those. The kitchen is an open kitchen, so we heard some rather amusing arguing between the main hostess/waitress and the kitchen staff in thick Boston accents. It's like a Boston Seinfeld. If you want a good drinking game, take a shot every time: -- a customer is asked to get in line after trying to walk in. -- the waitress says "nevah evah" -- the chef argues with the waitress. BTW, cash only.
(5)Hana A.
Cash only! Takes no reservations and waiter was kind enough to seat us even after business hours. Ordered the black pasta with aglio olio. I know most loved this dish but I thought it was just all right. I recommend ordering the appetizer portion for two people. Littleneck Sicilian clams with thyme, white wine, lemon, and fennel broth was delicious and highly recommend! The broth was so good that I drank to the last drop! Calamari was ok dish, more rubbery and not add crispy and battered as it should be. I think I got spoiled by giacomo`s calamari...
(4)Celin W.
I've been there 3 times and have been impressed each time! The squid ink pasta is delicious (very garlic-ky so just a warning) and the fried calamari is fantastic too. The seafood linguine in tomato based sauce is delicious and so is their aglio olio. Seafood is extremely fresh so you probably can't go wrong. Lines are very slow moving even if it looks like there's only a few groups in front of you, do be warned.
(5)Scott G.
It's 2015 how can you not accept credit card and not advertise that you are cash only. Absolutely ridiculous
(1)Edward W.
Word of warning: This place is very tiny (max capacity is around 20 people) and fills up fast so if you come during regular meal hours expect to wait for 45+ min as this place doesn't take reservations. That being said, this place makes some of the best, if not the best, seafood dishes that I've ever tried in Boston. You can never go wrong with their fried calamari, which I consider to be the freshest and best tasting that I've had in quite a while. The fact that I've seen people order calamari as their main course speaks for itself. As for their main dishes, I would recommend the broiled haddock because not only was it well seasoned, but it literally fell apart right in your mouth. You don't know what flaky means until you've tried this dish. I preferred this dish with their white sauce as opposed to the red sauce, as I found the olive oil and garlic complementing the flavor of the fish much better. I also immensely enjoyed the monkfish marsala, which had a firmer texture with a sweet and tangy flavor to it. And finally, if you have a +1 with you, get the Lobster Fra Diavolo. Seriously, read the description, read it again, and order it. You won't regret it. Just try to avoid looking at the kitchen area after you do order if you're squeamish, since in order to make the dishes as fresh as possible, the chef will be preparing the ingredients in their freshest state.
(5)Chelsea M.
Three words: Boston knows seafood. I've seen this demonstrated in seafood restaurants throughout Bean Town, but after dining at the Daily Catch it must be said again! We ordered the equally delicious Mussels Marinara & Aglio Olio. Both dishes came out on skillets, giving the meal a very rustic, fishing village feel. Waitress was super friendly, food was scrumptious. What more could you ask for?
(5)Rita K.
We came here starving on a Monday evening after a long day of traveling from Europe to Boston. It was close to 9PM and we were happy that this place was open and close to the Fairmont hotel near the waterfront. Located across from Mike's pastry in Little Italy. We arrived and there was a line of 4 people out the door. The worker instructed us to stand in line, so its first come first serve. And your entire party must be present in order to get seated otherwise you move to the back of the line or eat with the people present with you. We sat in 15 minutes. It's a tiny hole in the wall type of joint with a few tables and a kitchen with cooks that's out in the open for all to see. Not the cleanest place but their foods are supposedly the best in Boston. My boyfriend and I were sick of Italian food since we spent 10 days in Italy, but we just had to try their entrees. I ordered the shrimp with linguine in red sauce for $24. It was large portion, enough to fill 1.5 of me up. My boyfriend ordered the black noodles for $24 as well. My dish came out in a pan like plate. My dish was very delicious, it had tons of garlic, saucy, and the shrimp tasted fresh. My boyfriend's black noodles were okay, he enjoyed mines more. Thus, I recommend getting the red sauce. I was full 3/4 of the way, but we managed to finish it all. In comparison to the Italian foods we had in Italy, this was more flavorful, garlicky, and something I enjoyed better. Maybe because it's also fattier. 4 stars for the taste, but minus 1 star for the price. The portion weren't that huge, it's not enough to fill up 2 hungry people. $24 seemed steep to us. But it was worth a try.
(3)Jenny K. L.
Tiny, means tiny. Across the street from Mike's Pastry and thankfully there's an awning in case it rains. Plan to wait, even at 4 PM on a Thursday in monsoon rain. Do not go inside - the restaurant is small enough that you can see whether there is a table open, otherwise simply wait outside and they'll let you in when they're ready for you. There's one server and one chef; plan to be patient and understanding - you're dispensable here; you won't be disappointed with the food. The raw clams are a MUST; large and meaty. The aglio oglio style squid ink pasta is also a MUST and you gotta love garlic. The lobster fra diavolo was DELISH, though admittedly I liked Giacomo's down the street's fra diavolo with giacomo sauce better, but nonetheless it's great here. The fish of the fish and chips was amazing and the tarter sauce was one of the best I've had. Loved the monk fish fra diavalo with a side of squid ink pasta too. Don't fill up on bread. They have wine by the bottle and glass. CASH ONLY!
(4)Tom S.
It was such a cold day, so we decided to go for lunch rather than dinner because we didn't wanna wait outside. Though it was about to be packed at noon, we could somehow have a seat. We ordered clams casino, black pasta, and steamed littlenecks along with glasses of white wine. I agree. This is the best place to dine out in North End. I am sure I will miss this place when I leave Boston.
(5)Frank G.
Although kind of small venue the food here is absolutely amazing. If you're in town this is a must go.
(5)Quynh Nhu D.
I had not idea what I was expecting but I saw high review so I had my hope kind of high. I took my two asian friends here because we wanted to go to the Italian part of Boston. Thought we'd try something new other than our normal asian diet, but Giacomo's Ristorante wasn't open until 4:30 and we were starving at 1pm. Came here instead, I knew I wanted to try the Black Pasta because it look awesome. Couldn't decide between which sauce, but try the Aglio Olio after some thoughts ~ I shared the appetizer portion with a friend because we are poor college student and are use to eating below $20/pp. But since we're trying new thing decide to add an order of little necks. For me, I actually enjoy the black pasta and thought it was nicely seasoned. My friend complained it being too salty. I like the chewey-ness and wouldn't mind to get a big portion for myself next time. The little neck was really really salty! Will stick with my mom's version (dipping in ginger fish sauce, oh how asian of me). My other friend tried the Mussels marinara (sp?). The portion was huge but she barely ate more than the mussels. Why? She said it was really really bland. :( So, they didn't have a good time and wasn't very happy which made me also sad. They would rate their experience as a 2.5 to 3. I'm rating my black pasta a 4, and the little neck a 2.5. So lets do math and make it a 3 alright? Service was fine and fast, no complaints. Will try next time sans friends and eat the black pasta by myself ;)
(3)Thuy L.
Across from Mike's Pastry is another Italian gold mine. This place is TINY. There's space for around 8 parties of around 3 so don't expect a lot of elbow space. Seat yourself and check out the simple chalkboard menu on the wall. My visit was a random weekday afternoon during a snow storm so luckily there was no wait. The cook greeted us and we ordered by yelling to him across the table, which I didn't mind too much. We got a serving of bread to hold off the hunger, while our shrimp scampi order was being cooked up right in front of us. The whole time I was watching the cook all I could think was "wow this feels like I'm in his house". He had a personal conversation with his co-worker, in the meantime all I saw was steam and flames coming from the stove. It took about 10 minutes to get our dish, which came as is off the stove. The pasta was the best I've ever had as it was cooked al dente. The rest of the dish was so well blended and delicious that I regretted sharing it with my friend. We saved our bread to scrape up the residual sauce from the pan. I will definitely come back here to try their blank ink pasta dishes and update my review. But from my first experience I can't imagine anything here being bad.
(4)Julia K.
The pasta and seafood dishes come in huge portions, and everything is made to order. I prefer the black squid ink pasta because it is cooked more al dente and is freshly made resulting in a really nice chew. If you come on a week day, be aware that the opening time is not correct on yelp. My family and I tried to beat the lines and ended up having to wait over an hour because the restaurant didn't open on time and the chef was late. Generally, for lunch on a weekday, there is no line. Expect to wait 45+ minutes on a weekend at peak hours. Also cash only.
(4)Yuwei C.
If there's zero star, I would definitely give it to this restaurant. Our experience was totally a disaster. I strongly recommend tourists/residents choosing any other restaurants here (there're a lot of good Italian restaurant in little Italy area) in case it ruined your trip. We got there at 7pm on a Saturday night after a one-day trip in Boston. There were around 20 people waiting outside. After standing for 1h, all of my friends got really tired and we just wanna sit down and have a rest so I went into the restaurant and asked the waiter/host if he could give a plastic bag and we could sit on the ground. I knew the idea sound stupid but we're really exhausted... He looked at me with a shocked face and asked 'Who do you think I am? Who do you think you are?' I was like 'eh...'. He then said 'I can only serve you when you sit down'. Okay, fair... I'm just asking stupid questions I guess. Therefore we kept waiting for another 0.5 h and got in the restaurant. I wish I left when he treated me like that but I didn't cuz we've waited for 1h and there're so many good reviews about it... The restaurant is really tiny, which I already knew from other reviews. However, the dinner environment is really bad. We had 3 people and we had to share table with another 3 strangers (later it became 5 people...) There's only one waiter and he's also the host. I don't think he's able to serve 20 people at the same time as he kept forgetting things. He didn't provide water for us for a looooong time until we asked. He's like 'oh, we don't offer water. Hahaha, I'm just joking!' This kind of joke for people who have waited such a long time like us was really annoying. Finally, we came to the food part. I should say this's the worst pasta I've had (minus the one I cooked...) plus the bad attitude from the host. We order fried calamari as appetizer and shared a squid ink pasta and a white sauce shrimp linguine. Actually the fried calamari was okay. It was just tasteless but we added salt and pepper by ourself so it's still eatable. The pasta were all too hard to eat plus the black pasta had no flavor at all. We then asked the waiter/host about it. I told him it's quite hard but he didn't believe us. I said it's different from what we ate before. Actually what I meant was that one of my friends had been here before and she ordered exactly the SAME food as we did this time so she knew what it was last time. But I guess my face just looked like I've never been here before so the host told us 'This is what we called al dente. It's different from what you ate before but it's how Italian pasta is cooked'. Who doesn't know al dente?! I have the common sense to distinguish al dente from the really hard pasta that needs more cook and also this is not the only Italian restaurant I've been to before. Fine, the host then took the food back to kitchen and added some water into them and boiled them for a few minutes. He didn't even ask the chef but did this by himself... Though the pasta after re-cooked was still not good, we decided not to bother the Mafia boss looking waiter (we had a lot of pasta left as they were really hard to bite...). We came in the restaurant, finished the food and paid in 0.5 h cuz we knew a lot of people were waiting outside. Also we ate fast but not a lot though we were really hungry. After we paid, one of my friend went to the restroom. While we were waiting for her, I swear it's only within 3 min after we paid, the host came to us and asked 'Could you guys leave? I need this table!'. We explained we were waiting for a friend who went to the restroom. He then said you could wait outside so we stood outside of the restaurant to wait our friend... This is the first time I got request from the restaurant like that. I knew there were a lot of people waiting and that's why we tried to be quick but I don't think this is the right attitude for a restaurant. Overall, I think eating in this restaurant is like gambling. The chef is really overwhelmed. I wouldn't say my experience represent the food in this restaurant but it's possible that the chef couldn't pay enough attention to your food and it tastes 'not that good' then. I just wanna share my experience and hope people could think twice before they go there. It ruined my day eventually.
(1)Lauren H.
I'd been waiting to try this place for 3 years now... Ever since I saw Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre Foods, I knew this place was a must try, and because I'd been to Boston too many times and had YET to go. Finally, my S.O. and I paid a visit and both ordered from the black pasta selection - he ordered the Alfredo, and I the Aglio Olio. The small is the perfect portion to order if you're planning on having appetizers or sides with your meal, there's just that much food. We also tried the calamari meatballs and both had a side of broccoli w/ garlic and olive oil. Not only was the meal extremely satisfying, I wish I had more room in my stomach to try other things! Such a great hole in the wall place to check out, very homey, also the restaurant is cash only so be sure to stop at the bank before your check comes.
(4)Lillian C.
Came here around 2pm on a Friday and only had to wait about 10 min! Score! There is usually a HUGE line for this place and this place is TINY. I'm sure it's normal to wait 1-2 hours just to have a meal here. We started off with the fried calamari and split the Aglio Olio black pasta. The calamari was nicely battered and fried and the sauce was nice and light. The black pasta is freshly made so it's very good and you can taste the difference. I love garlic and the chopped garlic and squid was so delicious and tasty! The portions are a good size and we even had some leftover to bring home. I like that this is a no-fuss place and you get the pasta served in the pan that it was cooked in. Since the place is so small you get really cozy with your neighbors. We sat next to a retired couple and we exchanged "must-eat" places in Boston and Los Angeles. It definitely added to the experience! The service was friendly, and there was only one waitress and one chef. Very efficient! It's just funny that the chef was Asian even though this is an Italian restaurant... Lol. Oh well, the food was delicious and the price was reasonable! Definitely come at a time that's not too busy!
(4)Amy Y.
We were looking for a seafood restaurant at little Italy and this place seems to have excellent reviews so we had to give it a try! The restaurant opened at around 11:30am, and people were lining up around 11! When you see scenes like this, you know you won't go wrong with this choice. By the time we came back around 11:45, the restaurant was already full of people( it's a small restaurant with around 20 seats). We were lucky enough to only had to wait for 10 mins to get a spot. The menu was on a black board and you can see your food being made right in front of you! We decided to share the Lobster Fra Diavolo. It's a seafood linguine loaded with lobster, squids, shrimps and muscles in tomato sauce. It's a little bit spicy too! It was $75 and it's meant to feed 2 very hungry people. THIS IS THE BEST SEAFOOD PASTA I'VE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE. Everything was cooked to perfection and all the ingredients were very fresh. If anything, we wish there was more linguine so we can finish the sauce! ( but don't get me wrong, the portion was very very generous already!) We did not order anything else because we were too full from the linguine. This is a place that we will definitely come back the next time we visit Boston!
(5)Rebekah S.
This place was delicious! Made to order food, good portion sizes and probably the best scallops and calamari I've ever eaten. (And I don't just hand out 5 stars)
(5)Tuli S.
This place is teeeeny tiny. I came here on Saturday night at 5pm for an early dinner with my bf. There was seating available so there wasn't a wait. BUT....we were in the corner at a table for four so another couple was seated next to us. We were fine with this but overall it was a little weird because there wasn't any space between us. So just as a warning it wasn't as intimate/romantic as it could have been! To start we had the mussels which weren't very fresh. They weren't bad but they definitely were a bit off. We ended up letting our waiter know and he took it off the bill which was great because then we made up for it with the tip. THEN the squid ink pasta! We got it the Aglio Olio version which I really enjoyed but my bf said that putanesca sauce was better the last time he got it. The noodles were thick and chewy and I liked the little bits of squid mixed it. It's fun to watch the chef cook in front of everyone and all the food is served in the pans they are cooked in! The pasta was enough for 2 people to share. I did feel like it was heavy but I don't really eat pasta very often. We also got the haddock which was light, fluffy, gently fried and fresh. Overall we had a good experience and will be back! Service was good and the food is definitely worth trying :).
(4)Amanda L.
I essentially ran here after a full workday to make sure I got seated. Got here around 5:30 on a Monday, got seated right away, and within 15 minutes there was a line. Whew! Got the calamari and the aglio olio pasta. The calamari was pretty good, great texture, but I wasn't feeling it too much for some reason--very fried. But the main focus, the pasta, was AMAZING. Wow. I got the full size like an idiot (do NOT do this if you're one person. It's huge. Swallow your foodie pride and get the appetizer size.) and was stuffing my face. The garlic, the depth and complexity, the chopped squid... don't even know what else to say other than YOU NEED TO TRY THIS. Since I ordered the full size, had sizeable leftovers for the next day, and it was just as excellent the next day. Worth the hefty (cash only) price!
(5)Lorraine S.
Only take cash. There are two banks near by, BOA and citizen bank. The black pasta is very famous, but I did not find anything special. I love the lobster. 78$ with out tax.
(5)Colleen C.
Oh Daily Catch, how I love thee. You have been in my life since high school and never disappoint! It's dinner and a show all rolled into one. I even forgive you for not taking credit cards and reservations because your shrimp scampi is the stuff dreams are made of! Take your out of town guests here on a Sunday for the shortest wait, feed them the Lobster Fra Diavlo and hit the ATM first.
(5)Joanne W.
Small venue with big flavors. This place did not disappoint. It's small. 3 man operation: one chef, one server, & one busboy. If you have to wait, do it, it is well worth it. The smell of the food cooking while you are waiting, oh boy!!!! The Sicilian Style Clams were excellent. We should have asked for more bread to sop up the juices!!!! The fresh homemade black pasta with puttanesca was flavorful. The calamari linguini with white wine sauce was simple but full of fresh flavors. It's cash only. If in the North End, definitely check into the Daily Catch.
(5)Paige S.
Meh. There's tons of places to eat in North End. Try those first since this place was just mediocre.
(2)Kim S.
TIP 1: CASH ONLY TIP 2: Go early TIP 3: Easiest if only 2 people. The place is TINY - maybe seats 20? TIP 4: Be cool & don't linger over your meal, there are people waiting outside to eat. TIP 5: While 1 person waits in the queue, the other can get cannoli for dessert from a nearby shop. That way both people don't have to wait in 2 queues that night. On our 1st day in Boston, we decided to head to The Daily Catch for dinner. We arrived early, around 5:15pm, because we landed that afternoon & were hungry. The restaurant was already nearly full with a queue. I think we waited about 20 mins. 4 pairs were seated together on 4 - 2 tops. The tables were flush (not 1" of space between) so everyone was cramped. Luckily everybody was cool & didn't overstep their boundaries. It would have been a disaster of someone on the inside needed to get up for the bathroom because everyone else would need to get up. Ironically, the people who were further back in the queue got a 4 top for only 2 people. The kitchen isn't open, it's in the room with you. So it can get stuffy & you should like the smell of garlic. No issues with service. The waitress was nice & responsive (bringing water & more bread) despite being the only server there. Upon arrival, she explained that we should form a queue outside. She went down the line along our 4 - 2 top tables to take orders. Apparently it's more efficient for the kitchen to make larger quantities of the same entrees & divide among the orders. We shared the Sicilian style mussels & black pasta aglio olio. Sicilian style mussels - the mussels were fresh but kinda small but the sauce was super yummy. Had to use the precious small table real estate to keep the bowl on the table so we could sop up most of the sauce with bread! The thyme & lemon added depth to wine, garlic & butter. BF agreed that we should have gotten the clams instead. Black pasta aglio olio - I love squid ink pasta & wish it was easier to find. When I saw it on the web menu, I knew we had to try The Daily Catch. We shared the full order which was served in the cooking pan. The pasta was flavorful, cooked well & had a nice chew. The chopped calamari & garlic sauce was tasty. Another bread dipping opp.
(4)Blue M.
After a 2 hour wait on the sidewalk we were finally seated in this 'hole in the wall' restaurant. Tiny place with space to hardly seat 20 people has an open kitchen with a grumpy troll like chef who magically and noisily whips up heavenly and gastronomic Italian seafood dishes. We ordered Calamari Scampi, Monk fish with Marsala sauce and black pasta with ground squid. All of them dishes were pretty darn good. Awesome in fact. But worth the two hour wait - I don't know! I think the wait is more due to the capacity of the restaurant than the quality of food. Quality is pretty good. With all the quirkiness of the restaurant and the people who run it - it is an experience not to be missed.
(4)Jessica J.
Yum. No frills, huge portions, long wait. The squid ink pasta with ground squid is their specially and definitely worth getting. The linguine with scallops was also really good, though we did add a healthy amount of crushed red pepper. The calamari was good, but maybe a lot for two people with two pastas coming out. Their cherry stone clams were really good with the cocktail sauce. Wine and water are served in plastic cups, they have their own root beer, and it's cash only.
(4)Susan D.
Filled with tourists who end up reading about this place from their guide books. Only they don't know about the ambience, which entails the cook swearing and the bus boy shot-putting the sautéed pans into the metal industrial sinks. The only conclusion I could gather was he must be deaf because I cringed after every BANG, CLANG, and BAM! You would think ALL of the plates would be broken after how forcefully he threw them into piles and drying racks. Not to mention the gross price inflation. First, hubby got the single person version seafood fra diavalo with lobster, clams, etc for $50!!! $50!!! For one person!! The owner/waitress recommended that he get the two-person portion for $74 instead because you know, screw what you want, get what your husband wants in order to economize. When the seafood and pasta came out, it was underseasoned. The red sauce had depth, which was nice. The black ink pasta had zero flavor difference besides being thicker and chewier than the linguine. For an almost $30 lunch plate of seafood pasta (monkfish & ink pasta), it was just underwhelming. I would have much rather gone to Legal Seafoods, which is elegant and delicious.
(1)Augustus B.
Yum! This small authentic Italian joint on the north end of Boston is great. The service is very brisk and somewhat impolite, but the food is delicious. Calamari is perfectly fried and hard to stop eating. I had the shrimp in red sauce and was not at all disappointed. I soaked up all the sauce with the bread. What I really like about the daily catch is that there they take pride in the food more so then the dining experience. No fancy glasses or silverware. If you drink wine it comes in a plastic cup. Highly recommend
(4)Matthew A.
The prefect restaurant! I have no complaints about this delightful hidden gem. The restaurant is a single room with the chef behind a counter in the back. There are just three staff - chef, busboy, hostess, so the error thing tube very smoothly. I got lunch at 130 and didn't have to wait for a table and my food was ready in less than 10 minutes. I got fish and chips and calamari meatballs and they were delicious. Next time I really want to try the squid ink linguini. I can't recommend this place highly enough
(5)Alice H.
This restaurant is on my must-eat list when I visited Boston. After reading all the Yelp reviews, I purposely chose to go there during lunch, because I really don't want to stand in the cold waiting in line! (Boston was way colder than NYC!) My decision was right and there were only 3 tables filled. The restaurant has an open kitchen and limited seatings. I think the maximum capacity in the restaurant is no more than 20 people. We ordered the Aglio Olio, which is the squid ink pasta tossed in ground calamari, olive oil, garlic, and anchovy. Every bite of the pasta was coated with the ground squid goodness, It was absolutely delish! They serve their pasta dishes straight from the cooking pan which I think it's pretty cool. We also had the Shrimp Scampi with garlic, butter, lemon, and romano. The shrimp was huge and fresh, sank in a pool of garlicy butter lemon sauce. And you must dip your bread into that sauce! Trust me you will not regret it. Service was attentive and food delivery was fast, given they aren't as busy during lunch times. However I have to take 1 star away, because I think they are on a pricier side and seatings are limited and not as comfortable.
(4)Shawn W.
Went here for dinner before a show. We went early & seating was immediately available. It's very rustic! Try the calamari....it's delectable! The food is served in the pan. Order the bottle of red wine. Simple fantastic! Great date place!
(5)Joe B.
The restaurant had 5 tables (2 were tables for 2). One chef, one busboy, and a hostess/waitress. The chef seemed overwhelmed and kept looking around like he was forgetting things. At one point, he forgot to stir the noodles while they were boiling in the pot and they clumped together. He threw some of the large clumps out, but still served some clumpy pasta...he looked disorganized and I see how this restaurant can be inconsistent. I felt bad for the guy...he seemed overwhelmed and his elbow was hurting. Aglio Olio- Home made squid ink pasta with ground squid and garlic. The garlic was overpowering, there were only a few bits of squid, and the pasta was overcooked. The dish was good, but I don't know why some people rave about this dish.
(3)Alex D.
I was visiting Boston with my kids during Spring Break. Saw the line outside the restaurant during lunch hour and decided to check out this Seafood spot to find out what many Yelpers are raving about. While I enjoy my clam linguine, I think the black pasta is overrated. Also, Fried calamari is average at best. Excellent service but the wait was too long, more than 40 mins and the restaurant is very small and there is not enough seatings for big group. I am pretty sure there are better places elsewhere in Boston.
(2)Teresa J.
What a great little find! The place is very small, no credit cards, cash only, they serve beer and wine and the freshest food you will ever eat! When your pasta is cooked in a skillet and then delivered immediately to your table in said skillet I don't know how it could get any better. I had the linguine with shrimp in the white sauce. Amazing! Others had the monkfish Marsala and the linguine with clams. All very very good. Very friendly and fast service too.
(5)Delia S.
My friends and I came here after seeing it on Food network. Small, hole-in-the-wall place with seating for about 20. We came at 3pm so no waiting and we were the only ones in the place. This however didn't make the staff any friendlier. The host/waiter did get a lot friendlier as time went on, I think because we had a mutual hatred of Guy Fieri. The food was really good and authentic. I had the mussels liguini with red sauce. Nice garlic and fresh tomato flavor, but I did have to add a little red pepper to brighten it up. Large portions, which could easily be shared by two...even though I was starving and hadn't eaten all day prior to arriving.
(4)Kay H.
I've driven by a number of times and seen lots of people standing outside. My partner and I decided to go on an odd day so the wait was only 5 minutes for a 2 person table. The setting is very intimate and there was only one waiter. For a dinner for two including an appetizer, a glass of wine and a beer it was about $65. Not too bad. The food was delicious. I'm looking forward to trying it again - on an odd day.
(4)Joelle K.
The Daily Catch has some of the best seafood that I have ever had. I went with some friends this past Sunday. They are supposed to open at 11, but didn't until noon. We got in line at 11:45 and were the first people in, but be warned that there was a quickly forming long line behind us. You are going to get an authentic North End experience at The Daily Catch. There is one server in this very small restaurant and she is a tiny Italian lady with a big personality. She was very helpful in making menu suggestions. I had the calamari platter and would highly recommend. The fried calamari was cooked to perfection. The cold calamari salad was very different but so flavorful. The calamari meatball was also quite tasty. I sampled everyone else's dishes as well. The scallops, black puttanesca and mussels were all amazing. This place is not to be missed!
(5)Tori S.
WOW this place was delicious I wish I would've taken a picture and ordered more. The spot is tiny, but luckily we were able to be seated right away. I got linguine with shrimp in the white sauce...I basically wanted to lick the pan clean. Unfortunately we had stopped for oysters and cannoli (Mike's is across the street...and yes we had some dessert before dinner!) so I didn't have a huge appetite. But I'm pretty sure I could have ordered everything off the menu it all sounded, looked, and smelled so good. Don't forget it's cash only!
(5)Shadi B.
We spoted the place when we were walking by and saw a line of at least 30 people waiting to get in this small place that fits a maximum of 20 people around a relatively large old fashioned kitchen run by a single chef. The 5 stars i gave this place is for the food. The shrimp scampi and the aglio olio are absolutely amazing. The muscles and the Casino oysters were really special. I highly recommended it. My advice go outside the peak hours.
(5)Ron B.
Outstanding fish dinner with wine. Would go back in a heartbeat.
(5)Brandon B.
The food was delicious! It is really small (maybe 6 tables) and it is communal seating, but definitely an experience.
(4)Christina R.
Came to the Daily Catch for a dinner on a Sunday Evening, we called ahead to make a reservation for three at 6pm and requested outdoor seating. The hostess informed us that they can not guarantee outdoor seating but we made a reservation anyway. When we got to the restaurant, there was seating available outside and we only had to wait about 10 minutes. There is a nice bar inside where you can grab a drink while you wait. The back patio is a great place to watch the sunset on a nice night! It was beautiful. Service was good. We had the calamari, lobster bisque, clam chowder, Swordfish, Salmon, and stuffed Flounder. Everyone enjoyed their meal. It took a while to get out entrees but we didn't mind since we weren't in a rush and it was a beautiful night. They have brunch on Sundays and would definitely go back to try it out!
(4)Frank H.
On a cold and gloomy day in Boston, after being turned away from Neptune Oyster and Giacomo's with a 1.5+ hr wait, a friend and I find seats at the Daily Catch for an early dinner this past Friday evening. The Daily Catch is definitely what you would define as a dive. The room itself is quite small, water is served in plastic cups, and there are no physical menus besides the large one that is written on a chalkboard of one of the walls. What this place lacks in ambiance, it makes up for in its quality of food and an open kitchen where you can watch a beastly Vietnamese man cook famazing italian food! Between the two of us, we opted for two appetizers and an entree to share. The shrimp scampi came out first, which had a true garlic kick, rounded off with loads of butter and parsley. My friend thought it was perfect, but I thought it was a tad under seasoned, but nothing a little salt couldn't fix. Save the bread that comes out to dip it into the sauce on this plate. A truly great bite. Next came out our clam's casino order, which was extremely hot, but super delicious. Crispy breadcrumbs with a great clam-to-breading ratio, there's not much more that I could ask for! For our entree, we ordered the homemade squid ink pasta "aglio olio" aka served with ample amounts of ground calamari, olive oil, garlic and anchovies. The pasta is cooked perfectly aldente, so that there's still a nice bite to it. The flavors of the calamari, garlic and anchovies come together wonderfully with the olive oil to create a true hearty seafood bite. There's a little bit of a pleasant charred flavor, which I believe comes from the addition of some white wine that is squirted into the pan, before being set ablaze. The serving size is definitely enough for two people, and is presented directly in the pan that it is cooked in. Overall, we walked away feeling extremely full and content. We were seated by the window though and got to witness the extremely long line that formed shortly after we entered the restaurant, so I guess we made it there just in time to beat the rush. For those of you who are in Boston and walk by the daily catch on the way to grab a cannoli from Mikes/Moderns Pastry, be sure to stop into the Daily Catch and give the food a try. You definitely won't regret it, ^_^!
(4)Jeruen D.
My companion and I headed here early for dinner. We didn't know how this restaurant works, but regardless, we headed there one evening. We saw a line up front, and apparently that's how it works. You queue up, they don't even take names, just a queue on the sidewalk (hope it isn't raining). After about 45 minutes of waiting, we finally got a seat. We ordered a plate of raw cherrystones, and after that, we also tried the black squid ink pasta. That was amazing. The cherrystones were very juicy and meaty, and the squid ink pasta was superbly amazing. I would definitely come back here again if I find myself in Boston again. Overall, it was a memorable experience. This restaurant is very small, with only about 20 seats, and yet they deliver the best pasta and seafood that I have tasted in a while. I would be more than willing to queue up again, and cramp myself in this tiny restaurant, only to have another taste of their good food.
(5)Michele K.
The food was ok but the service was awful. Food need salt and pepper. Had to wait 45 min for mediocre food.
(2)Ross M.
1.45 hour wait. Was it worth it? Yes, for the food and the experience. This is more of a seafood joint, and less of your classic Italian joint. If you're looking for cheese and meatballs, this is not it. You can find that at the other 98 place down the street. There are about 8 tables. We got paired with another Asian couple. The kitchen is 5 feet from you. Live lobster split. Garlic fried. Parsley chopped. You smell and hear it all. Sometimes simple is the way to go. We did the clams and calamari combo in red sauce and the scallops in white sauce. Excellent. I wish I could cook like this. All technique. Amazing technique. Why no 5 stars? Plastic cup for water and stale bread and super cramped conditions, but who cares. You come here for the good food. Nothing else. Highly recommended. If I went back, I might try the black squid ink pasta. But after standing in line for so long, I did not want to risk it.
(4)Mara K.
Located in the Little Italy section of Boston, The Daily Catch is a bit of a hole in the wall that serves up seafood with local charm that is void of anything but charm. Just good food in a small, cramped, no thrills 'restaurant'. I use quotes on "restaurant" because The Daily Catch is set up like a small convenience store that decided to put out some tables for those walking in. It probably seats about 20 people total and you're all seated together. Get to know your neighbor because they'll be about 2 inches from you. Which I really don't mind. Unless I'm here for business, which I was, but the person I met, who was local, insisted on going here. Wine is served in small plastic cups. Garlic bread is a $4 side. For dinner we shared the lobster fra diavlo. It really was amazing. The pasta was seasoned to perfection thanks to all the amazing flavors of the lobster, clams, calamari, and whatever other amazing seafood was swimming around in this pot! And this is all cooked within arms length from you that you can watch in this open kitchen environment. There was a line to get in the entire time I was seated. It's certainly a popular spot. They only accept cash which to me is a huge inconvenience. They also offer receipts on a generic pad of paper that is not conducive to someone who has to submit to their business for reimbursement. I'd come back as a tourist with friends but would not come here again for a business meeting.
(3)Tasha Y.
AMAZING!!!!! The wait time was obscene but my god was it worth it! The food is so fresh and delicious! I would recommend everything but especially the mussels and the scallop + shrimp +broccoli and black pasta It's an 8 table restaurant so be prepared to get close to your neighbors and make friends in line. However the service once you're inside is impeccable and the seafood is to die for.
(5)TinoX T.
Nice Place,Great Food,Nothing Much to say pls Try it and let me Know :)
(3)Jass C.
A lot of Boston locals recommended this place for seafood so we went to try. Couldn't really see why. This place is okay.. Wasn't too bad but not impressive at all. And we witnessed a lot of quarrels between the chef and the waiter.. A special experience, I guess. First thing you need to know: cash only. We are three girls and we spent $39 per person. So bring A LOT of cash. As a $$$$ restaurant which didn't invest in a pos machine, they are trying to skip tax? We could never figure out why. Second thing: you can see the entire kitchen. Be it food fell to the raw cutting board during plating and the chef put it back bare handed, or waiter cutting lemon wedges after collecting cash without washing hands... I'm sure it happens else where too, but seeing it happening right in your face is truly disturbing. Third and the least important: food is adequate but not impressive. We got fried calamari, just like any other bars serve. Then half a dozen of raw clams, 2 garlic black pastas and 1 clam and calamari combo, still, just like any other Italian restaurants serve. I just can't see why this place is a must-go in Boston. I believe there are far more awesome restaurants in the great city of Boston, and we invested our one and only proper meal here. Such a pity. For future visitors, the nearby Quincy Market is more of a catch than this place.
(2)Joshua M.
Okay. Out of towner on a visit to Boston with the family. Stopped by Neptune's Oyster and here, Neptune was a 4 hour wait while the daily catch was only a 45 minute wait outside. Food was better than average Italian restaurants. But that's about it, if I could give it a 3.1 then I would. The sauces were good. The bread was hard. I wouldn't come back and wait another 30+ minutes. What my family ate Shrimp, scallop, and broccoli (squid ink noodles) 3/5 Scallop in red sauce (squid ink noodles) 4/5 Shrimp scampi in red sauce (reg. Noodles) 4/5 Calamari appetizer 5/5 WARNING: They added a $20 tip to our $100ish meal without asking us when she calculated the check. Not sure if that is the norm in Boston but just a heads up Tltr: overhyped but better than average restaurants
(3)J. R.
Great place in the North End. Had the swordfish and loved it. The people and service were great. Get there early or else you won't get a seat. It is worth the wait of you get stuck in line.
(4)Scott H.
Nothing like a hole in the wall italian seafood restaurant in Boston. Cash only, but worth it. A very impressive seafood menu, was very hard to decide on what to eat. But went with their specialty, squid ink pasta over minced squid, loved all the garlic in the dish and impressive dish, served in the pan it was cooked in. Calamari deep fried small order appetizer was a good amount and filling. My wait was about 5 minutes, but heard it can easily get up to over an hour. Very tight seating, but that's what makes this place so special.
(5)Jasmine C.
Eating at the Daily Catch is an experience that's more than just about the food. It's about arriving at 5PM and waiting outside in the line in front of the tiny restaurant, staring at the red brick buildings and laughing with friends whilst you watch people in front of you and behind you drop out or fill in the line, people watching, speculating on which combination of tables the waiter will find for you and slowly letting your appetite grow as the door opens and closes bringing with it the sounds and smells of italian food being made from the open kitchen inside the 20 seat restaurant. People have said that the North End's Daily Catch is overrated for Italian food. Based on the food alone, perhaps there are better places to get pasta, or better places to get seafood. But there is no place like dining at Hanover street's tiny restaurant. Waiting in line isn't onerous at all when with friends: it feels like a rite of passage, a little challenge that makes getting the seat in the restaurant more an achievement than just a formality. When my friends and I were finally seated, we were suffused with a sense of joy and also took our coveted seats with a sense of pride as we watched people waiting in line outside poking their heads in. The Daily Catch is just a fun place to go if you're in the mood for it: sitting right next to the stove, we were warmed by the excitement of the chef bringing food to the flame, the gigantic orange blaze licking the ceiling and lighting the restaurant up with exhiliration. Watching the chef work three large silver pans of black pasta filled us with a buzz, and when the entree size aglio olio's arrived at the table complete with large silver tongs, it seemed to be the completion of a gripping process rather than just the beginning of the journey. The food itself was delicious but not incredible, but did it really matter? The black pasta was thick, fresh and chewy, and the alfredo sauce was creamy and cheesy whilst the aglio olio was peppery and flavorful. The aglio olio could've been far spicier and could've been more subtle, and the dishes seemed to be carried by the texture of the homemade pasta. The calamari was good as calamari always is, fried and fresh and delicious with an amazing tomato sauce. Nothing was spectacular, but the experience certainly was. I think that's what makes dining at the north end special: it may not have the most affordable food, nor the best food. But when you eat and watch people outside envying your warmth and your experience, when you sit next to friends crammed inside a tiny restaurant knowing that you've earned your seat, there's a special feeling you get. As we were walking in after having waited in line, one man said "Don't bother. It's a waste of your time and your money." Maybe it was the fact that the day was warm, and the snow didn't bother us. Maybe it was the fact that I was with good friends and we were high on laughter the whole time. But I would say it was most definitely worth it.
(4)Jaime K.
This place is about the size of a small car. The heater does't work, they serve water in little plastic cups and the chef will be cooking practically on top of you. BUT THIS PLACE IS AMAZING. All the sauces are great! We had the shrimp scampi, it came with about 6 shrimp and a tangy lemon butter sauce. We also ordered the clam linguine, haddock and the black pasta. It was all good, hot and served right in the pan they cooked it in!!! It's an amazing hole in the wall!
(5)Diana O.
You wait in like for at least an hour or more for shit service and even worse food. The whole place is an absolute joke. I do not recommend going there
(1)Christine H.
A great, reasonably priced place for the best squid ink pasta! Came in on a Wednesday night around 6:30 and the place was already full. We got sat in the tiny corner table for 2, so it wasn't the most comfortable dinner but what can I say, the place is pretty small as is many restos in the North End. I had the appetizer portion of the Aglio Olio: squid ink pasta with shredded squid and my friend had the Calamari Linguine with red sauce. Both were delicious, had perfectly cooked pasta and just the right amount of sauce to coat the pasta! The squid ink pasta is definitely my go to every time I come here, although I find the amount of squid to vary each time I come. Last night was no disappointment though, there was squid in every bite! My favorite part of this place is that they serve the pasta in the pan it's cooked in! Call me odd, but I like the rustic-ness of it :) Also, they serve good wine in plastic cups filled to the rim. If you're questioning this place don't. It's delicious Italian and what you would hope to eat in the North End without the "white table cloth" pressure!
(5)Edmundo V.
This place is amazing. There's only like 5 tables and the place isn't fancy at all but it doesn't matter. Best food I've had in the north end and without any ridiculous pricing. The food is served in the pans that they cooked it in which just feels so right. The staff isn't there to kiss your ass but are polite and invested in your dining experience. Definitely will come back to the north end just for this place! ***The black spaghetti with ground squid is to die for. GET IT
(5)David A.
Made it back here after almost four years! I don't forget a great meal and this had to be on my list during my quick trip to Boston. Just as great a I remembered it! It was cold and rainy last night so I got a table right away. This place is really small so I essentially ate alongside another twosome. All good. Not much different then a lot of NYC dining. I ordered the same thing as last time. The black pasta al olio. It is a homemade pasta with ground squid, garlic and oil served ina BIG pan. Huge portion (you can order half) but I ate the whole thing. You don't get to eat food like this too often so I took full advantage. As good as I remembered! And it is directly across the street from Mike's Pastries. A killer combo. The service was great. The atmosphere is great. It is tough to get better cooking! Hopefully I will get back here before another four years pass by!
(5)Spoon G.
Not sure what all the hype is about - not a 4 star restaurant. What you will find is a small local Italian American seafood restaurant where you sit next to the open kitchen. I usually bristle at Italian restaurants that characterize their sauces as 'red' or 'white' as being unsophisticated, but hey they also serve water and wine in disposable cups, so keep this in mind! We had the haddock and black squid ink pasta along with a stuffed clam appetizer. The food was all very solid (more Americanized Italian food than authentic Italian) and tasty but don't expect high cuisine delicacy or style, just a solid pasta and fish restaurant. The entrees were not cheap, pricey for what you get as well as a lackluster atmosphere. $7 for a small plastic cup of wine - not even a real full serving. Waiter was surly. They only accept cash.
(3)Timmy L.
Undoubtedly my favorite calamari to date and my new go-to for North End recommendations After getting ditched at the bars, my girlfriend and I decided to wander into a restaurant in the North End. Fortunately, we decided on The Daily Catch. After craning our necks for several minutes to read the menu, we decided to split both the Calamari Platter and the Aglio Olio. And goddamn, were they a treat. Fried Calamari is one of my favorite dishes, one I've ordered at upscale restaurants everywhere. I've had it delicately fried, with the freshest squid, and all but wrapped in gold. However, in this dinghy hole-in-the-wall, I discovered the best fried calamari I've had so far. This dish simply had so much FLAVOR. Try it and you'll understand. Easily worth a subway ride to the North End on its own. But of course, The Daily Catch had more to offer. My first experience with squid ink pasta, the Aglio Olio, was exactly that, an experience. I'm not sure whether this was due to the ink or the chef's expertise, but the pasta was delightfully chewy through and through. While my dish could have used more shredded squid, it was more than compensated by the powerful garlic flavor and incredibly large portion. I will definitely be taking advantage of these easy-on-the-wallet delights in the immediate future.
(5)Christine M.
My sisters/ bridesmaids took me here for dinner at my bachelorette party and it surprisingly ended up being the highlight of the night. First of all- the location is such a killer, with patio seating overlooking the harbor. The patio is really deep set with these awesome stone pillars that give it a real European/Mediterranean vibe. For dinner I had one of the squid ink pastas- which was delicious. I had never had squid ink pasta before, and honestly, in general I tend to be pretty underwhelmed with pasta when I go out (including every single place I've ever been in the North end), and I have to say- this was really delicious! I am really looking forward to going back and ordering that again! One of my bridesmaids has Celiacs disease- and despite it being an Italian restaurant, the staff and management were wonderfully accommodating and she had a huge wonderful meal of fish and mashed potatoes. We had an adorable waiter named Andre- who was so fun and really played up the whole bachelorette thing. The manager was super fun too and let us take pictures all over the place- we ended up staying pretty much until the kitchen closed. The manager and bartender made up all special shots on the house and we took them with has staff before we left. The combination of the beautiful patio, the amazing food, and super great staff-- I honestly couldn't have pictured a more fun and awesome way to start the night.
(5)Tamara W.
The hostess does not give a FUCK about your one star reviews on yelp (lady has worked here 30+ years) so it is not worth mentioning her attitude. However, she is insanely insanely rude... Otherwise. totally awesome but not worth a 2 hour wait. Pros: -amazing black/squid ink pasta -amazing fish (baked halibut was great!!) -salad was awesome!!! do not get the pasta-- go salad! -garlic :) yum! even on a date, go for it!!! -cozy, Italian seating (could be a con). -healthy portions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cons: -HOSTESS WITH ANYTHING BUT THE MOST-ESS. -no credit cards -no half portion for the fish Go! But right when they option at 11am or when there is no line; and an early dinner around 3pm. go on a weekday or on a sunday afternoon!!! will probably not be back but a great experience for someone who is from Boston.
(5)Vanessa N.
Reading how this place is always packed and there's always a line, I thought if we came during an off hour that I wouldn't have to wait a very long time....WRONG. There was a pretty long line ahead of us but luckily for us, a whole bunch of tables were leaving so we waited about 30 minutes. It is very small inside and the menu is written on a black board up on the wall. And know that this place doesn't take credit cards! I really wanted to try the lobster fra diavalo but it was way too much food for 2 people and we had just eaten lunch a few hours earlier. I settled with the appetizer size of squid ink pasta putenesca and steamed little necks. The little necks were scrumptious!!! The sauce and soup that it was steamed in was absolutely delicious. I wanted to just take a soup spoon and drink the broth by itself after we were done eating the clams. The clams itself were a good size and they tasted fresh and were cooked just right. Needless to say, I loved them. The squid ink pasta was also very good. The flavor of the putenesca had the right amount of saltiness with the anchovy butter and veggies. The pasta was cooked perfect al dente with the right amount of bite to it. I was also pleased with this entree. My next trip back to Boston, I need to either come super hungry or recruit more people to get the lobster fra diavalo.
(4)Jane C.
Best meal in Boston. Hands down. We beat the crowd and didn't have to wait very long to be seated so that was wonderful. We eat the crowd. Woohoo~ It's a very intimate and small restaurant. My friends and I ordered the squid ink pasta ($24) and the lobster pasta ($74- serves two). The lobster pasta: The marinara sauce in the lobster pasta had a spicy kick. Lots of shrimp, calamari, clams, mussels and lobster Squid ink pasta: the pasta noodles were so chewy and tasty. Both were yummy but if I had to choose one I liked a bit more, it would be the lobster pasta. I had to thank the chef on my way out.
(5)Sidney Z.
We went on a Saturday night. The line was extremely long, and we waited 1 hour 45 minutes. As a general benchmark, if you are currently waiting past the door of the souvenir shop next door expect an 1.5 hour long wait. The food was awesome. We would recommend the lobster fra diavolo with black pasta.
(4)Christina R.
My boyfriend and I came here when we were in town for a vacation, and we were exploring the North End. Expect a line, even on a Thursday night. We waited for about half hour, but it was definitely worth it. We had the fried calamari, stuffed clams, and the appetizer size of the aglio olio squid ink pasta. All of our choices were fantastic, but we really loved the stuffed clams. The appetizer size of the squid ink pasta is more like a lunch portion, but it was plenty for one person for dinner. The service was quick and attentive even with only one waitress in the place! We would definitely come back!
(5)Assaf F.
Excellent food! Fast and great service. Had to wait in line for 20mim but it was definitely worth it!
(5)Christine H.
Came here late in a Sunday night and waited an hour for a table for 3. Seafood is fresh but flavors are a little bland. We ordered 2 dishes 4 stars for the lobster Fra diploma. It's big enough for 3 to 4 people. Generous portion of perfectly cooked and sweet lobster and other shellfish but the linguini was overcooked and the red sauce lacked flavor. 2 stars for the calamari platter. The calamari salad was mushy since it was overcooked in the marinade, the calamari meatball was spongy and had a strange flavor, the fried calamari and fries were standard 3 stars for service. Considering how many other seafood joints are in the area I don't think this place is worth the 1 hour wait.
(3)Diana S.
This is my #1 favorite restaurant ever! Just go and wait if you have to and enjoy! I am never disappointed! Love you Daily catch!!!!!
(5)Corey J.
Excellent food. Long wait for groups of 3 or more, but with just my wife we were seated within 15 minutes.
(5)Tony L.
We were staying in the North End of Boston walking down Hanover when I smelled garlic lingering in the air. We had what everybody orders and it was worth every penny. We also had fried calamari. Some of the best I've ever had. Of corse we had the Lobster Fra Diavolo and the Black Pasta Aglio Olio. Fantastico is all that can describe the food and the experiences we had thanks to Chris our waiter who made our stay there even better. We spent 166.66 on our dinner which included wine and beer and if I lived here would be a weekly expense. Go try it you won't be disappointed.
(5)Steph R.
Had the famed lobster fra diavolo with black pasta. It was heavenly!! The setting was casual yet intimate, and it's a perfect representation of what North End, Boston has to offer. This restaurant has been in business over many generations as evident from the family pics on the wall. Great experience. Highly recommended!!
(5)Jessica P.
I visited Boston with my 3 friends on a hot summer day mid July and heard they sold Black Pasta and wanted to give it a try. For those of you that don't know, Black Pasta is pasta with squid ink. This restaurant has his ups and downs but because it had more cons than pros I am giving it a 3. Pros: friendly and fast service Cons: bread came out cold, does not offer any ice so my water was lukewarm, has no soda fountain (which btw the waitress did not inform us about) so all sodas were in a small (approximately) 6 oz glass bottle that cost $2.50 with no refills and no air conditioning when the restaurant is cramped and all seats are directly next to the hot stove, CASH ONLY! I personally did not like the black pasta but at least now I can say I've tried it. My friends liked it though so its more of a preference thing. I also got the combo (clams and calamari) red pasta which was good but I think Antico Forno's pasta thats down the street is much better. If it wasnt so hot and they provided other accommodations in place of having no ac I wouldve given it a 4 but no one wants to eat hot food on a hot day inside a hot restaurant with lukewarm water.
(3)Manny V.
Hands down well worth the hour and a half wait! This is truly a hole in the wall with only about 7 tables. But that's what makes this place one of a kind...long lines,tight space and food right on the frying pan! .....This Place is Delicious!!!!
(5)Chris W.
4 stars for the Lobster fra diavolo - it's $75, about $20 more expensive than most other restaurants on the same street. We add the black fettuccine for $8, but the black fettuccine doesn't taste different from the egg one. IMHO it's just a gimmick. This homemade black pasta actually tastes more like half-cooked dough and starchy. The lobster is fresh and succulent. The amount of calamari is very generous. The brothy sauce, arguably the most important part of this dish, is slightly hot and spicy. Lots of butter and garlics. It brings the flavors of the clams, calamari, mussels and lobster all together. I deduct one star for the long line and super tight space. It makes the whole experience feel quite rushed and less enjoyable. I was tucked at the corner. When I was leaving, three other people have to get up for me to get out of my seat.
(3)Liz P.
OK, LISTEN UP!!!!! You've got out of control kids? This place is not for you. You don't like to carry cash or use an ATM, this place is not for you. You don't like to stand in line for an hour to eat the most amazing meal of ur life time, this place is not for you. You like to b!&$h and complain, this place is definitely not for you. Go read all the previous negative reviews. You want to eat in the kingdom of seafood pasta, then you better show up, put ur head down, eat, and get out. The tattooed chef that cooks your pasta is an animal. He will b!&$h about whatever the frick he wants, whenever the frick he wants. He is the ruler of The Daily Catch. And you are his little minions. Only the strong warriors in here survive and leave happy. You must be gladiators. (That's right, Olivia Pope fans) And...Oh happy, you shall leave. Eat at ur own risk. It will BLOW ur mind. POOF.
(4)Mary T.
After all of the hype, I finally had a chance to try this place. I got the popular lobster fra diavolo and aglio olio squid ink pasta. I thought the squid ink pasta was too chewy and was undercooked and not al dente. The aglio olio is good though. I like the grounded squid with garlic and olive oil though. I agree with other reviewers how the portion is a bit scarce. I liked the lobster fra diavolo. You can upgrade to have 2 lobsters for $100. The pasta was delicious. There was a lot of seafood in the pasta. You can ask for more bread to dip the pasta sauce! Compared to Giacomos, I think I'd say Giacomos is better! The ambiance is fancier. The service was not bad, but I did not understand the logic of charging gratuity for bills that are over $100. And that is $100 after tax. That is the first that I have heard. And it is cash only. So bring cash! The best time to go is right when they open so you don't have to wait for too long.
(3)Catherine H.
This place is delicious. So delicious. My 100% Italian aunt who grew up in Boston took me here, so I knew it would be good. I had heard a lot about black pasta over the years, but I had never had it before. Oh man, that was an amazing decision. The pasta was well cooked and that good thick mildly chewy type of pasta. The sauce was flavorful and plentiful. They cook everything in one pot and then give you the pot as your plate. The one downside is that the restaurant and tables are on the small side so its hard to fit these large pots full of delicious plentiful food on the tables. But that is a good problem to have. Such a fun evening, everyone was super friendly and the people that sat at our table with us were also friendly.
(5)Charmine T.
I was pretty excited to try this place based on the long line that I always see in front of it, and awesome reviews. Maybe BECAUSE of the awesome reviews I had some sort of expectation. Sadly, this place did not live up to it. I came around 6:15 pm on a cold, winter evening and even though there were ~3 parties ahead of us, we still waited almost half an hour. I didn't mind the wait too much. (despite the cold weather). We ordered the black pasta Aglio Olio, and Monkfish Marsala. The waiter accidentally gave us fried calamari appetizers that we did not order. He was helping other customers (he was the only waiter there) so it just sat on our table until we told him we did not order it. He was pretty awesome and just said "just eat it" (no charge, yay!) This was probably because it wasn't "hot off the fryer" for the intended customers so a new batch was made for them. So I did appreciate that they wanted their customers to have hot plate of food. The actual food was okay. The monkfish had a sort of sweetness to it that I liked, and it was definitely fresh. The black pasta was garlic-y and filling. However everything, in my opinion, tasted a little too bland for my taste. Overall, I did enjoy my dinner. But I won't be craving it anytime soon.
(3)Tung H.
I love it!!!! Though is not spacious, the food is just great I came back here again and again for their black pasta Is gooooood Remember "cash only"
(5)Karolina M.
Great food.. I ordered the squid ink pasta and clams.. Was soon yummy especially the clams .. But the wait was about 45 minutes and the service wasn't that great
(3)Jacqueline C.
Must try the black squid ink pasta! Came here on a Thursday night and there was a short wait. North end was as busy as usual. -Had the fried calamari and the Sicilian style littleneck for appetizers. I felt that calamari was okay. The Littleneck was better than the calamari. - got the appetizer portion for the black pasta. Very very garlicky! .. In a good way if you like garlic ... - the scallop linguine was good too. Plenty of scallop in white sauce . Worth trying the daily catch if you haven't been here.
(4)Jason And Jem J.
The Daily Catch was absolutely delicious. We ordered the calimari meatballs (no meat) and the black pasta aglio olio. The black pasta was unforgettable, cooked perfectly al dente with a flavorful combination of garlic, olive oil, and a generous portion of chopped squid. It was served literally off the grill in the pan it was cooked in. The atmosphere is simple and intimate with less than ten tables and the kitchen is incorporated into the room making it a unique dining experience. You can watch your food being made by a chef who looks like he knows a thing or two. Our check came out to about 32 dollars for the two dishes with both of us leaving full, one of us painfully so.
(5)Tony Z.
Small, but spectacular! Outstanding as always. You can't go wrong with this place. You should definitely try the black squid ink pasta.
(5)Leah Y.
Awesome service. Wonderful people running the place and cool setting but the food just wasn't good. Hate to say that bc I wanted to love it but it just wasn't good. Under salted and red sauce was near tasteless.
(2)Yiming W.
Nice staff but horrible service. Food is overrated and not worth the price. Black ink pasta is not as good as ppl mentioned. Over all not recommended.
(1)Judith S.
3 people working a small place with meals served in the frying pan with plastic cups for water. Result....soooooo good!
(4)Seiko F.
I wished I could give 10 stars!!! of cours I researched before I visited to Boston and already decided to try this restaurant. this decision was right. Me and my husband had a lots of food, everything we thought look good as a pics at the restaurant's Yelp page. (well, we wished we could try more if we could eat more!) We went to the restaurant about 5:45pm. you may think it might be bit early but this local favorite restaurant does not take a reservation and the restaurant seats are very limited so we planed to go there early. just around 6:00 - 6:30, we see the many people trying to come in and about 7 - 10 people were waiting outside when we already eating so I recommend you better go early. We had so far... 1, Fried calamari 2, Littlenecks 3, Black Pasta (Ground Squid & Garlic) 4, Lobster fra diavolo Everything we had was so FRESH!!!! No lie from the store name! I was so impressed about how they cook. I mean the saltiness of the all the dishes was just right amount. no too salty, not too less, just right. that's why I could taste all the fresh ingredients so clear and flavorful. to be hornest with you, I don't want to recommend you to go there cuz it's hardly to go next time when we go there if this restaurant getting more busier! but hey, of course this restaurant is one of the best restaurant in Boston and I'm strongly recommend;)
(5)Felicity Z.
Highly recommended this place, definitely worth the long wait..their opening hour on Sunday is actually 12 not 11..so pay attention on this..the the black ink pasta is a little bit hard...the rest of the food is fresh and nice,definitely amazing..
(5)Jin C.
Worst experience ever. The food is OK. But the service is terrible. The waitress was yelling at customers. And they mandatory charged 18% gratuity tips for a party for four for lunch. I will not recommend this place to any of my friends.
(1)Margaret V.
This is definitely a hole in the wall, very tight space, and an open kitchen. There is no ventilation and it got pretty stifling. Don't go here if you're claustrophobic or have breathing issues like asthma. Also, don't go here with babies. Please. It's hard enough for adults to breathe, imagine how the baby feels. The shrimp scampi and squid ink pasta with calamari and alfredo were very different and certainly good. However, we waited a while for our pasta to arrive. Many customers that had ordered food after we had were given their orders first. It's an interesting non-touristy Italian seafood experience. Most of their dishes are "missing something" and a lot of customers were asking to modify or add to their orders. For example, we had the squid ink pasta with alfredo - it could have used some shrimp or scallops or calamari on top of it. The squid ink pasta with calamari was pretty plain and needed some more flavor and sauce, such as cheese. Advice: I would totally just mix the alfredo pasta with the calamari pasta. I wouldn't go here again because the atmosphere was not conducive to a good dining experience. Good squid ink pasta though.
(3)D P.
My fried calamari was good. This place only takes cash, so I didn't have a chance to try pasta. It is very small and cute and right near the freedom trail and Paul revere's house. I wish this place would start taking Apple Pay. There is a lot less fraud with it then credit cards. Maybe next time I come to Boston, I will visit again with cash. Mike's pastry across the road is also cash only.
(5)Sang P.
Small restaurant. If you go during dinner time, expect to wait around 1 hour. I wanted to try the Lobster Fra Diavolo but in the end decided to get the Scallop Linguini with red sauce and fried calamari. I love al-dente pasta and the chef (the kitchen is completely open) definitely knew what he was doing because it was one of the best pastas I've had in the East Coast. It's a simple dish but a lot of restaurants over-complicate it and mess it up. I strongly appreciate restaurants that know how to do simplicity right. The fried calamari was good too - right amount of batter and generous portion of calamari. Simplicity can be complicated. It's not easy. This place does it right.
(4)Sebastian K.
Came here for valentine's. The food is superb, homemade taste and flavors out of this world. We had the black ink linguine alla putanesca with scallops. The dish is big! We had the half order and it was plenty to share plus a Vinagrette Tuna that is super tender. Mouth watering dishes. The tiramisu is ok and calamari Meatball appetizer is pretty light. I highly recommend this place
(5)Lindsay H.
Sure, the lobster fra can get pricey, but the two visits to Boston, I make sure I come here for the fra. So good!!!
(5)Eugi H.
Amazing hole in the wall, especially known for their squid ink pasta and ridiculously fresh seafood. My friend and I got their scallop in white sauce with squid ink pasta, and it came served in the pan it was cooked in, fresh and hot. The pasta was a perfect al dente, and the scalloped just melted in my mouth. We also ordered the fried calamari, which was wonderfully seasoned. They are first come, first served, and it's a no frills, get in, eat, get out kind of place. Staff are friendly, service is quick and efficient. I think I prefer this place to Giacomo's down the street. Definitely come here when you are looking for amazing pasta!
(5)Tahsin C.
Cash only. Really small space. Be prepared to wait outside because they seat only a handful (maybe two handfuls) of people at a time. Best food I've ever had. Large portions. When I come back to Boston, I'm going to eat here. Aglio Olio - dying dish.
(5)Julie P.
Everything's good... Waiting an hour to know you're getting into a tiny Mecca of delightful garlic smells... Gino is a great server and so kind and outgoing. The chef is fun to watch as he nonchalantly created these delightful dishes. We had black squid pasta with puttanesca , clams and linguine with red sauce and fried calamari. My dining companion was 100% Sicilian and is generally very critical of Italian restaurants but he loved this place.
(5)Keith M.
Do not come here with your credit cards. Don't care if you are an American Express gold, platitium, or titanium member, they do not take credit cards. They only take dead presidents. Try to eat their on a Saturday night and the line was out the door. Went back on Sunday after at 4:30 and they was finish their lunch cloud and told us to come back at 5. Glad we did. When we got back at 5, we was the 2nd couple to arrived. This restaurant has only 2o seat in the whole restaurant. They have 4 employees. The waiter, who worked non stop while we there, the cook/chef, who was outstanding, the busboy, and the manager who never moved. The menu is on the black board. We had three appetizers and all three was outstanding. With a glass of wine and a beer, the total was $53. What a meal. Come early and enjoys when we left, there was about 8 people outside in line. We did not want to stay too long and was out by 5:45. If you want a great restaurant with great food then this is your places if you want romantic or ambiance, go somewhere else. Little advise by restaurant in this area of Boston, avoid restaurant with no customers, and look for one where their is a wait for a table or pretty full.
(5)Js K.
I went here today with my boyfriend for dinner and ordered a black pasta(squid ink) and sicilion style mussels and a small fried calamari. The pasta had chopped squids and it was just so great(and the portion was pretty big too). And the sicilion mussels was also delicious(no smell-i usually cant eat seafood because of the smell that seafoods have in some restaurants but today i just gave it a shot to try and it was so good i loved it). The calamari was also really good. Service was good enough too. There were full of people in the restaurant and just one server but he tried his best to cover all the customers he can!
(5)Joey I.
Little Italy Throwdown: The Daily Catch vs Giacomo's Night one in Boston marked the start of the Boston Food Tour, or the real reason we came to Boston, with a trip to The Daily Catch. Night two marked our visit to Giacomo's, TDC's division rival and sworn blood enemy [citation needed]. Since these two bitter rivals are located just a block or two away and serve similar seafood-themed Italian food, it seemed only fair to compare them directly to help you out. Menu Availability: *The Daily Catch, as their name suggests, serves only what they caught that day. *Giacomo's has a more trustworthy menu that does not seem to rely on the whims of the local seafood or noodle-catching industry. WINNER: Giacomo's Wait time / Seating Arrangements *The Daily Catch has a seating occupancy of exactly 20 chairs. The place is hectic, small, and very Boston. There is a line out the door, and I can use present tense because I'm positive that there is a line RIGHT NOW as you read this. Inside, the place is cozy, so be prepared to make new friends and share a table for four with another couple. *Giacomo's, on the other hand, had an even longer line (about an hour and a half wait). Fortunately time flies when you're waiting in line drunk after a brewery tour, so it didn't seem that bad. The line gives you a great chance to people watch, catch up with your dining parter/group, and generally stand in one place for longer than one usually does so. Inside, we shared a table with two different couples. Neither had a Boston accent, so we considered this a huge victory. WINNER: The Daily Catch Population: *The Daily Catch will have over 50% Asians (so you know it's good), but you will be overwhelmed with Boston accents from everyone else, including (especially) the staff. There will be a lot of screaming, which is apparently how people talk up here. *Giacomo's is a fairly standard restaurant. WINNER: Tie Food Who cares about food, let's skip that part. Food Just kidding, here come the reviews. *The Daily Catch: luckily, they had caught some delicious fish that day. We got the appetizer portion of the black pasta aglio olio (apparently they use squid ink to make their pasta harder to find at night), which was one of the top 5 pasta dishes I've ever eaten, and I can cook a mean macaroni. Warning: if you don't like garlic, or are a vampire, or are afraid that squids are always watching you and will know you ate their ink, avoid this dish. If none of those apply, you NEED to eat this. Both the aglio olio and the puttanesca are out of this world. It's worth stopping here just to try them. We also got the Fra Diavolo (for two), which is one of the more overwhelming dishes I've ever seen, what with the ridiculous amount and variety of seafood. It was a very good dish but for $70+ I wouldn't get it again. But that squid ink pasta...spoiler, we came back again to get more of it *Giacomo's wants you to like them in spite of their flaws (the wait), and to do so they bribe you with delicious food and fantastic service. As far as bribes go, this makes sense as the choice for a restaurant. Anyway, we started with the fried calamari and the garlic bread, then moved on to our main dishes of pasta with salmon and sun dried tomato and fusilli with seafood and fra como sauce (a half and half mix of two sauces). The calamari was delicious but heavy, and the garlic bread was heavy but delicious - calamari won our appetizer mini battle. The pasta was unbelievable. Both dishes were so good that I could eat them every day for the rest of my life, assuming I won some sort of lottery and also lost some sort of bet where I had to only eat one food. Overall I left ridiculously full and ridiculously satisfied. That was some GREAT pasta. WINNER: Giacomo's Service *The Daily Catch wants you to hang out, eat slowly, and infuriate the people waiting outside in line who can see inside and watch you prevent them from eating. They will bring your food eventually, when they feel like it. You won't care because it's delicious. *Giacomo'swantsyoutoleaveassoonaspossiblesohurryupÂandeatandleave WINNER: Giacomo's - you wait for an hour and a half to eat for half an hour, but they get your food out quickly so you're not waiting around. Note: The Daily Catch is cash only. So is Giacomo's. WINNER: Tie Overall I liked Giacomo's better, but it depends on what you're looking for. You can't go wrong with either place. If you haven't eaten there yet, congratulations, you're in for a treat.
(5)Michelle W.
Ridiculously amazing! Three days later, I'm still dreaming about the pasta here. It's a tiny restaurant, so do expect to wait, especially if you have a large group. Come here for the food, not for exceptional service. We started with the fried calamari which was one of the best fried calamari I've ever had. You can taste how fresh the calamari was and it wasn't covered with batter. Side note, you do have to pay $1 for marinara sauce which I think is ridiculous, but what can you do... We both had the black linguini, one of the alfredo and the other with chopped squid. Both were super good, however I liked the alfredo more, but he liked the squid one best. It worked out because we swapped dishes. The food comes out pretty fast and they serve it in the same pot they cooked it in. The dishes are a little pricey, but well worth the splurge. You can't deny how good the food is and you will be craving more.
(5)Jessica A.
Worth the wait to get into this tiny gem--been here many times. Service is top notch and the food is fantastic. My personal favorite is the shrimp and scallops with broccoli with the white sauce. Hope you love garlic! I can't speak for other other locations because I've only been to this one.
(5)Madeleine Q.
I LOVE THIS PLACE. You get the close up, full view of the kitchen from any seating. However, during the summer months, this makes the place less than ideal temperature wise. The wait can be just as long as other popular joints in the area but it is worth the wait, especially for first timers. Anything you order here can't go wrong so I would not recommend a particular dish over others. If you love Italian and seafood, this is a must try!
(5)Chris A.
Simply put, the best fried calamari you'll ever try. It's exquisite. The squid ink pasta is very good too - and I recommend the aglio olio for the sauce, which is heavy on the garlic every time (which I like but others may not). All of their broiled fishes that I've had have been excellent as well - particularly the swordfish. The best I've ever tried. Sometimes my girlfriend and I will come here and split a small fried calamari and a small squid ink pasta as a light meal or appetizers and then walk around the North End before going elsewhere - that way we at least get our fix! Like Regina's down the street, be prepared for a wait (sometimes even longer here just because they don't have many seats); be prepared to sit next to people you don't know at the same table in cramped conditions; and be prepared for somewhat brisk service from the one person working the room, while the one chef cooks. It's a small operation, so be patient. But most of all, be prepared for some of the best seafood you'll ever find.
(5)Donald S.
Can't really say anything negative about this place, except the fact that it honestly isn't the best. For the amount of mentions Daily catch gets, i expected a little more.
(3)Lindsey P.
Very small restaurant, the staff started out unfriendly, but perked up throughout our meal. I loved how they brought the food in the pans that they made them in. I didn't like how the menu was on the wall, where I sat I had to get up and walk to the wall to see what was on the menu. The food was very good, no complaints on that.
(3)Xin L.
The Daily Catch is like the Italian Grandma I never had (I am Asian). Great home made food but not skimping on any of that freshness of the seafood. We had a bit of fresh (cherry stone clams - soooo juicy), a little bit of crunch (calamari - great batter which has a hint of sweet), and a bit of slurp (awesome al-dente squid ink aglio olio with chopped squid). Mmmmmmm yum! Unpretentious and authentic. However if one were to be princess about waiting in the cold for a seat or can't stand a slight stink on your clothes, know that you are not welcomed.
(4)Deb M.
Service was slow. Had to wait 15 minutes for water. They were not busy when I sat down. The lobster was overdone, chewy. Pricy for bad service and mediocre food. I waited 20 minutes for server to bring my check. She was busy by then. Manager watched over restaurant, but did not assist servers.
(2)Carolyn L.
First off, the workers here seriously deserve an award for their multitasking skills. They have one waiter taking orders and serving the entire place and one chef who works on like 10 orders at a time. They are unbelievable efficient and awesome at what they do. The Daily Catch is tiny so you're probably gonna have to wait for a table. Get there early and before it opens! I went 10 minutes before opening and I barely got in. Now the food... Cherrystones clams: SO SO GOOD. JUST GET IT. An order comes with 6 of the freshest, juiciest cherrystones in the world. I never knew I like raw clams until I sunk my teeth into these. This dish alone has my mom coming back for more... all the way from California. Aglio Olio: This dish is made with ground squid, sauteed with garlic and olive oil. It's very interesting. I like the squid ink and the noodles were cooked to perfection. Monkfish Marsala: This was simmered with mushrooms in marsala wine and butter. It is definitely on the sweeter side. I loved the monkfish, which tasted so fresh and smooth. It was definitely the best marsala sauce I've ever had! Their marsala also comes with your choice of salad or pasta. I chose the pasta with white wine sauce. The sauce was great but the noodles were definitely too hard to be considered al dente. By the end of our meal, we realized our bill here was more expensive than Giacomo's. Surprising since we waited an hour for that restaurant, but I still like the food here more. Can't wait to go back!
(4)David Z.
So here's the thing... We've been to Daily Catch a number of times. Their food truly is delicious, BUT without fail, they always manage to be rude or unappreciative of their customers. I get that you are busy, but you're in the customer service industry. DO BETTER. For example, this morning (to be clear, it was 12:00 PM and online it says they open at 11:00 AM), we arrived at their unlocked door and no one else was in line. We opened the door and asked the bus boy if they were open. He said 'ehhh 5 minutes' So we sat and waited. Three minutes later, the older woman came out from behind and said "we're not open yet, I need to clean, go outside". We'd been sitting for 3 minutes already...the restaurant was certainly clean and there was no one else waiting. We said it was cold outside and we didn't mind if she still needed to wipe off tables, etc. and she said to go outside. REALLY?! It's 25 degrees! So we went outside...and then decided today was not a day they earned our business. So please, get better customer service, so that we can enjoy your food even more.
(1)Shane C.
This review is based on my experience, rather than the overall rating of the restaurant. The food was good. I'd give this place a 4 star rating based just on food. The black pasta was interesting and the lobster fra diavolo was flavorful and rich. The lobster was definitely overcooked, way too tough and chewy, but the pasta in the sauce was terrific. The calamari salad had a generous amount of the fresh calamari. The calamari meatballs were ok, tastes exactly like it sounds. This is a tiny place that seats about 20 people, with only 3 employees: a cook, a waiter, and a busboy. It seems that there's always a line of people outside, and we waited about 40-45 minutes to be seated. However, there was a party of 10 that was seated without waiting at all because they were friends with the cook. There was even a party of 3 that had to share their 4th seat with this large group of the cook's friends. Imagine having to wait a long time to get seated in this tiny place, only to have half of the restaurant be put on hold for the cook's own friends/family, and then having to be pissed off for 45-60 minutes while waiting for them to finish their meal. That'll kill the experience for anyone.
(1)Thien N.
The menu changes constantly (hence the name). Their seafood and italian dishes are, by far, one of the best in the north end. The place is quite small (fitting about 20 or less) but it's worth the wait. Try to go during off-hours to avoid the crowd. The waitstaff is knowledgeable and will cater to your needs when ordering a dish. If you have never had squid ink pasta, try it here. They make their own and it's fantastic! WARNING: THEY ONLY TAKE CASH. Credit cards are no bueno here.
(4)Yiwen G.
I think their cooking skill needs to be improved a little bit , so that i can understand their popularity better, I don't think i will come back.
(3)Drew H.
This is a hole in the wall place that is as local as it gets. While the 90 minute wait outside (with no place to sit) wasn't ideal, it was worth it in the end. Hanover was bustling with people, which made for good "people watching" and conversation during the wait. The waiter was very good about communicating how much longer it would be once each party got to the front of the line (on deck as he said). On a positive note, the long wait and the big chalkboard wall menu made it easy to choose our meals before we even sat down at a table. This allowed us to order rather quickly. The fried calamari is very tasty and the fish was light and flaky. The linguine wasn't as good as I'd hoped, but everything else was beyond average. Our table was right next to the cook, so we watched him churn out meal after meal with skill and style. Even though the wait was tough on our feet, I'm glad we stuck it out. You will be too.
(4)William M.
I first came here more than 25 years ago, and I swear, the food is better today than it was then, and then it was great. Tiny space, 20 seats, one cook, one waitress. And yet the food flies out into the little room and the person receiving the place looks up and smiles before the first bite. It's that kind of place. If you're pickey and fussy, and want your food custom designed by you for you, don't come here. Come here with an appetite and check your attitude at the door. Enjoy
(5)Keith H.
One the BEST seafood places on the east coast.....
(5)Travis J.
This place only has 5 tables but it is worth the wait. if you can make you order to go that might be best unless you don't mind sharing a table. The food is great, really fresh and full of flavor. I must hit if you are going to the Boston area.
(5)Camille R.
I didn't know Italian food could be so good! I've been many times and the food is always cooked just right! Calamari is always yummy and the portion is so big I'm always full by the time we're through with it. I've had many specials, and the fish dishes. I loved them all. The seafood pastas are always good, too. The place is tiny. Fits maybe 15 people? A 15-30min is typical. The open kitchen is in your face and food is served to you in the pan they cooked it in. They offer drinks, but no ice so on a hot day between the killer humidity and the busy kitchen it can be pretty brutal. Oh, but the food is so good.
(5)Anna A.
We went twice to this place, I don't find nothing special, in fact, we eat better AT HOME.
(2)Tu-van L.
A great hole-in-the-wall Italian eatery in the heart of Boston's Little Italy. Also coined as "Calimari Cafe," this place specializes in both its namesake, especially their black ink squid pasta. Armed with one chef, one dishwasher/busboy and one waiter, this place is surprisingly efficient in serving everyone. The fried calimari has the look, flavor and texture of fresh rubber bands, but the squid ink pasta was PHENOMENAL. I was lucky to be in a dinner group of 3 where we got to try each flavor of pasta (alfredo, putanesca, and anglio olio). The chalkboard description of the alfredo sauce is a lie - there's WAY MORE than a pat of butter in that super thick yet deliciously flavorful sauce. Nevertheless it's the best alfredo sauce I've ever had in a mom-and-pop Italian eatery. The anglia olio flavor with olive oil and roasted garlic was the most well-balanced of flavorfuls and was good to mix with the alfredo pasta to cut the richness or with the puttanesca to cut it salty brininess. The appetizer pasta portions is plentiful if you have other appetizers. Don't know if you want the full portions as it is served off the pan it's cooked in. The place probably sits no more than 20 snugly at a time, so be prepared to wait a long while for a seat. Just grab some snacks from Mike's or Modern Pastries, make friends with others on line, decide on what you want and be patient. Believe me - it's worth it.
(5)Chelsea R.
phenomenal meal- large order of calamari (huge!), aglio olio was amazing and my father had shrimp in a red sauce which he devoured :) such a treat!
(5)Alec E.
We got there 20 mins before they open on Sunday waited in line, 3 of us are the 13 which they can seated 12 people once we got to the door they told us "GET AWAY" no matter how good you are but we will never go back ... Good luck
(1)Luke H.
Well worth the wait! We arrived around 9:30pm on a Friday night and waited for about 20 minutes in the cold. Upon yelp suggestions we ordered the calamari which was delicious! We shared all of our dishes. I personally enjoyed the monkfish. Great service. The waiter was extremely nice!
(4)Rachel C.
squid ink pasta with aglio olio is one of the best things i've eaten in my life, not exaggerating. the pasta was decadently chewy and intensely garlicky. calamari had a weird sweet batter.
(4)Saad M.
Um, wow! This place looks like a hole in the wall eatery upon first glance but apparently its a local legend according my friends in the area. They serve their wine in plastic cups and your food comes out in the pan it was cooked in; LOVED IT! Food was delicious, I had the black squid ink pasta which had an amazing texture I've never had before in pasta and the flavor was out of this world. The servers there are hilarious and super friendly and all over the place to help out. Kind of cramped and small but I think that adds to the ambience. Definitely DEFINITELY recommended if you get a chance.
(5)Mike G.
Fellow Yelpers, I must admit that I was headed to Giacamo's in the North End that was just too long of a wait so my second choice was the Daily Catch. While I had to also wait for a table due to the small sizing of this establishment, I cannot stress to you HOW GOOD THE FOOD IS!!!!! My wife had the black squid pasta and I had my old mainstay, Linguini whith White Clams. They serve the dishes in the pans they are cooked in which is very cool in itself and both dishes were simply wonderful. I even admit to picking up the pan and sipping the broth as it was so good!!! Sam the Chef was oustanding while Erinilda was the gracious hostess and server. This team knows how to deliver quality food and at a great price. This is easily one of my favorite restaurants.
(5)Ginny L.
My friend and I came here a while ago. We were actually planning to go to Giacomos, but the line was ridiculously long (probably 1+ waiting time). We then decided to give Daily Catch a try. The wait was 40 minutes long. It was a torturous waiting outside in the cold and seeing people inside the restaurant slurping their pasta sauce away.. When we were finally seated, we went straight to ordering the mussels as our appetizer and shared an order of clam pasta. They were in huge portions! I don't know if we were just hungry or what, but the food tasted INSANELY good. Better yet, the chef was a Vietnamese guy! A Viet chef cooking Italian food..that's something special +1 star. We waited 40 minutes outside in the cold and took 20 minutes to finish our dinner. We left the place pretty much satisfied except we thought the seating was a bit awkward. However, we can't really complain much because that's like the case for all the other tiny restaurants in North End. I will come back again next time to try to the squid pasta!
(4)Goofy D.
Had dinner at the Daily Catch. Best seafood I've ever had, besides Jerry's anyway. We started with fried Calamari and clams Casino. I got lobster fra diavlo for my dinner. Lots of seafood in it. Very good. I even liked the wine ok and I'm not a wine guy. I usually don't like going back to the same place for dinner on a trip but friend wanted seafood and the Daily Catch was very good. I got the same clams casino and calamari for an appetizer and the lobster fra diavlo for dinner. Good stuff.
(5)Stacy S.
This place has amazing food and great service. My boyfriend and I have been lucky enough to come here and not have to wait for a table. We both agree, however, that this place would definitely be worth a wait. For those who don't want to wait long, we go during lunch time during the work week and also on weekends during non-peak times like 4pm-ish. We always order the squid ink pasta aglio olio. Very yummy. The first time I came here I honestly was not feeling well. I just had been on a rather bumpy ferry ride and I am prone to motion sickness. My boyfriend and I made the trek to Daily Catch as soon as we got off the ferry because we wanted to bypass the dinner crowd. I went only to appease my boyfriend but all I wanted to do was crawl into bed with a barf bucket close by. I am so glad we went though. After a few minutes of sitting without the room moving, I began to feel better and had an appetite building after smelling the yummy seafood pasta and seeing others by us enjoying their squid ink pasta out of a frying pan. One more thing, this place doesn't take credit cards. Don't forget to bring cash.
(5)Melissa M.
How does a Yelper review a place that has been open longer than I have been on this planet? How do I do it? I want to do The Daily Catch justice, so here we go: Monday night. The day was over and night was upon us. Still, it being June it was light outside. There was a chill in the air and a slight spring in my step. Of course, I was excited to be in the North End, one of the most lovely places to be in all of Boston, maybe even in the world. We knew where we'd be dining that night. The Daily Catch. Why would we want to "risk it' anywhere else. We parked in Parcel 7 (which was a DOLLAR). Make sure you get your parking validated @ the Daily Catch. Amazing deal. So we walk down Hanover Street and poke our head in their tiny restaurant. The place was packed! Not a seat to be had. Luckily, there was a table paying their bill and there only were three people ahead of us. Sebastian, the waiter extraordinaire pokes his head outside and said "Fifteen minutes", when I asked how long for a table for two. No problemo! Literally, 30 seconds later, Sebastian comes back out and says. "Just kidding, I can seat you right now." So, in we went. The smell of garlic cooking made me even hungrier. We sat next to the three people who were waiting ahead of us. They were from Tokyo and Taiwan and were friendly -- you will be sitting right next to strangers, fyi. We ordered the calamari meatballs, which do not contain meat, just calamari, breadcrumbs, spices. The marinara sauce they serve with it is deelish. I got mussels fra diavlo with linguine. PERFECTA!! My fiance got littlnecks with a spicy red sauce. We got a bottle of their Sicilian red wine, it was wonderful. I love how you basically are in the kitchen and can watch the chef make your dinner. The red wine vinegar with hot pepper is such a interesting condiment. I put it on my bread, I even put it in my pasta. The prices are not too high, but they are not very low. I'd say for what you get, the prices are just right. The Freddura family has owned and operated this fine establishment since 1973. Why not bring your family by sometime? You will not be disappointed. Phenomenal food, phenomenal service, phenomenal experience.
(5)Jen S.
A-W-E-S-O-M-E place for a Foodie! Where to begin...smallest restaurant I've ever dined in. Food was scrumptious (have to try the black inked pasta) waitress was so sweet and attentive (only waitress in the joint). Watch your food get cooked in this small, open kitchen and a great wine in a plastic cup! Authentic all the way and definitely fun date spot... Winning!
(4)Michelle Kei T.
Great fresh Italian seafood dishes. Small place but worth it.
(4)Tasty Bee Review S.
Good wait staff, a bit slow on cooking, but large portions and tasty seafood on pasta dishes. Very touristy place.
(4)Jayme M.
This place is very laid back and chill. Drinks are served in plastic cups (including wine). The menu is on a chalkboard. The kitchen area is open and not closed off from the cafe as are most places on the North End. The food was very good. The clams on a half shell were better than the oysters at Morton's Steak house (just to compare quality with price). I had 6 cherrystones and they were $8.95 - tremendous in size and taste! I also had the linguine with seafood in garlc and oil - cooked also very well and served in the pan off the stove. Its very small - i recommend calling ahead if you're more than 2 pple
(4)Kathleen J.
My friend and I walked in the front door just as the restaurant closed and Gino was kind enough to seat us anyway. From there, the experience was nothing less than exceptional. We ordered something from the menu then asked if I could order something not listed on the board - Shrimp Fra Diavolo (one of my favorites). Gino was very accommodating and have to say his service was prompt and very courteous. Victor, tossed the pasta and seafood like a true chef but more importantly, the Fra Diavolo was prepared to perfection with a spicy kick to it and the shrimp was tender and sweet - Chef Ramsay would be proud!! I liked the concept of the pasta served in the pan - keeps the food warm. The place is really small and suspect the place usually has a line so I'm glad we didn't have to wait. Not that the portion was small but my only complaint is that I just wanted to try other items on the menu in the same sitting...it was that good! Thank you Victor and GIno for a memorable meal. I will be back again and again!
(5)Anita L.
The Daily Catch? Or the Daily Catch a cold? If I have to wait outside in line in the freezing cold for 30 minutes, I expect the meal I receive to warm my heart (figuratively and literally). Unfortunately The Daily Catch did not pass that threshold. Once we were finally seated at a super cramped corner table, we ordered the fried calamari, the Caprese salad, and the squid ink pasta with the aglio olio dressing. The calamari were more chewy and rubbery than what I've tasted elsewhere. The salad was ok but had more vinegar I would normally expect in a Caprese. The pasta was very fresh and unique because of the ink. The garlic and the ground squid in the sauce added a nice flavor. While I thought The Daily Catch generally had good food, it definitely did not warrant the long cold wait, the cramming into a tiny table, the drinking from plastic cups, and the feeling of arctic winds every time the door opened.
(3)Ronald C.
I'm sure the pasta is amazing... if I had the chance to taste it. Got there at 1130am on a Sat and there was only one chef and no waiter. He told us to come back at 12noon. Came back at 12 and still not open... waited with 2 groups in front of us outside in the snow... both groups left after sticking their heads in and getting yelled at by the chef (I mean, I feel bad for him because he seemed to be quite busy doing prep work all by himself... but doesn't justify for the attitude)... we finally left at 1230pm and had a great meal next door
(1)Marissa G.
The best seat in the house is the four seater squeezed in front of the cashier and next to all the pasta tossing action. Here you can see the hand-written chalkboard menu, have the orders put almost directly into your face, and feel the heat of the kitchen all at once. On a busy Friday lunch the place was packed with a line of 15 people waiting outside in the cold. This three person operation is a show in and of itself (1 chef, 1 dish washer, 1 waiter) and the cozy room serves up intimacy, fun, and really really good food. A real treat for anyone visiting Boston for the first time, if you can stand the wait.
(4)Nanana A.
We were lucky and didn't have to wait at all for lunch. Sat at the table by the window which is quite cozy. A small place where you may end up sitting next to a patron who is lucky to get a sit in the restaurant. The 1 waiter who is the owner's son was very nice and accommodating. I order an appetizer plate of black ink pasta with chopped squid ($11.) They were willing to also give an appetizer plate of their clam sauce linguine ($10.) My partner order the broiled scallops ($18.) served with a salad. Black ink pasta - Was quite different and delicious. I can't describe the flavor, but the texture of the noodles were perfect and it had a great taste. A+ Vongole (clams) linguine - It was a bit bland and had a slightly different taste. The clam meat and noodles were good, but the flavor was a bit off for my taste. C Scallops - It was delicious and cooked perfectly and the salad lettuce and tomato with a light Italian dressing was crisp and refreshing. A Try their Italian beer, it was pretty good with the meal. We would come back again.
(5)John S.
I have lived in North End for over 15 years I have found Jimmy to be the best seafood chef in the North End his black pasta olio is to die for fried calamari is the best in the city, thank you Jimmy for serving me for over 15 years. Last night I had to leave due to the rudeness of the server, I can understand why there was no line outside last night Jimmy seated my wife and I the waiter was on the phone Jimmy ask the server three times to get off the phone we sat there for 20 min. When the server got off the phone his comment was to Jimmy " if they don't like it they can leave" this waiter proceeded to tell my wife and I we didnt have to wait as he stared us down intimidatingly so we left as it became quite obvious that this server felt our loyalty and dedication to this family restaurant all these years was no longer what they pride themselves on. Pagliucas wants our business and serves excellent Italian food and they treats everyone like they are family, something we used to have at Daily Catch, it really is very unfortunate! Once again thank you Jimmy, thank you basil and the rest of the boys who always made us feel like family!!! John & Lisa
(2)Sven P.
The calamari is the best I've ever had!
(5)Nan W.
we decided to try the daily catch for lunch on a friday; the place was full but we were seated after only a short wait. there's hardly any elbow room but the food more than makes up for this: we started with the small order of calamari- it was tender and crispy all at once. then we had the shrimp scampi which was perfectly garlicky and the order of the black pasta with squid. the pasta was cooked al dente and was dotted with generous amounts of chopped squid and served in the skillet. there are no frills here because the food shines by itself. our server was fast and efficient. definitely would recommend for any food lover to try.
(5)Erin F.
Perhaps living in the North End has in some way put me off to its restaurants, but I don't love the Daily Catch as much as I thought I would. Don't get me wrong. It was yummy. It just didn't blow my mind. What drew me to this place wasn't the line out front. (Nice try, Daily Catch! You didn't count on *every* restaurant on Hanover having a ridiculous line outside.) It was the unpretentious atmosphere of the restaurant. There is no separate kitchen. There are no hackneyed decorations. There are no long black aprons or waiters with ties. It was like seeing a seafood shack squished in between high end Italian restaurants. North Shore sea eats without the drive! My mother was visiting with my brother and I wanted to take them out for some decent seafood without having to go to a chain like Legal's. Unfortunately, whenever any out-of-towners ask where the locals go for seafood, I tell them we go out-of-town. Boston might be on the Harbor, but the good stuff is outside the city. But I'd heard enough hype to try this place out. We paid our dues in the line outside, like you would with any Hanover St. restaurant. We waited about an hour before getting in and shared a longish table with another couple. There are only a handful of tables in the joint. And you're not necessarily guaranteed a table of your own. So if you were looking to make out quietly in a corner, reconsider. The service was fantastic! Prompt, friendly, fun. The bread was average but gave you something to stem the hunger from maintaining a patient standing-and-waiting position outside while watching people eat through the windows. The menu was extensive yet pricey. Oddly the entrees seemed to be the appetizers but served on pasta and double the price. I figured I didn't really need to pay $10 for pasta, so I just found a delicious app. Shrimp scampi. YUMMY. However, after my brother's pasta came, I was glad I didn't order it. I'm not sure if there was more pasta or more oil. It was like a pasta soup. My mother also got an entree (what it was is escaping me) that was on the rather small side. In the end, it wasn't bad seafood. But I think I'll skip the line and drive up to Essex next time I want some good fish.
(3)Vivian L.
Nothing is better than this place for cheap and good Italian place. Wait is normal. Cash only for the restaurant in Little Italy. Too many must try items on the menu so just pick whatever you like.
(5)Vincent K.
I think my friend put it best about this place where it feels like walking into a house kitchen and sitting down watching your uncle make some of your favorite dish. These guys were great. With some obvious tells that exposed our touristy status, the server was really friendly and offered some awesome recommendations of dishes to choose. We had the calamari appetizer and a black pasta with grounded calamari with olive oil sauce. It was also recommended by Christina L who made me promise to visit here. So who am I to not take a word of advice from a fellow yelper. The food was delicious. Calamari tasted perfectly cooked, ground calamari in the pasta was full of flavor and the texture of the black ink pasta was all too interestiing. Somehow I was a little paranoid that my teeth would look black after I was done with my meal (reminded me of "The Patriot" where Heath Ledger was tricked into drinking paint from his wifey) Indeed I enjoyed my meal here and it will go into my list of reasons to come out to Boston more.
(4)Kristin X.
The restaurant is very small, so come with a one other person to avoid the long wait time. Calamari meatballs: plain, unmemorable, left much to be desired Clam Chowder: best clam chowder ever, too bad they only have it during the winter months, you can really taste the broth, liked how it wasn't loaded with potatoes, creamy goodness in a bowl, Spaghetti alla puttanesca: love the flavor and the story behind this dish, but a tad too salty Black pasta: very interesting dish Broiled scrod: very moist and flakey, delicious They know how to make proper Italian(Sicilian) food!
(4)Von M.
Totally not worth it. Must have been an off night, but I suspect that people have caught onto the fact that this place just isn't that good because there were a bunch of open tables at 7pm, and the place ain't that big. Three of the four dishes we ordered were just not seasoned right. The side dish of pasta with red sauce was actually pretty good, but the fried calamari, broccoli with olive oil and garlic, and monkfish marsala were clear misses. How about seasoning your fried food with salt right when it comes out of the fryer?? I watched the chef for about 10 minutes, and he didn't taste the food even once. This place is coasting on its reputation.
(2)Christina L.
Keep in mind that it IS a tiny place! However, the black pasta was well worth the trip - the difference is mainly in texture and very subtly in flavor. We got the calmari one with olive oil and it was amazing - skillet and all!! Got the calamari meatballs which are pretty much like regular meat balls with a fishy taste. I would probably recommend that you try something else on the menu... As a tourist I found this place to be the perfect balance between true Boston flavors not too far off the beaten path (I mean, it's ON the Freedom Trail!). If you are planning on doing the touristy walk, The Daily Catch is located perfectly in the middle of the trail and a plastic cup of wine does wonders to replenish your dwindling energy. + point: skip dessert and hop across the street to Mike's Pastry. YUM.
(4)Kenneth B.
I had a hard time finding the restaurant, but it was worth the wait. I was walking on the Freedom Trail and was told about the Daily Catch by my wife's attorney. I ordered the fish and chips and my wife ordered the salmon and broccoli. Both were good, but my fish and chips were so fresh that they must have caught the fish hours before I got to the restaurant. The place is really small and you may have to wait outside to get a seat. But once you get inside, it will make your day.
(4)John N.
Our 3rd stop was here because everyone was hungry still plus I knew they have black ink pasta so I wanted to try that. The place was small but very cozy so us 4 just order the black ink pasta and a bottle of wine and actually the wine was pretty good. The black ink wasn't very impressive but at least I got to try it and see what is all the rave about. Personally it just plain for me. The waitress was friendly, overall I had a ok time.
(3)Kris R.
being out-of-towners from the great city of chicago, and always trying to find the best food in other cities, my eyes were set on neptunes. and mike's pastry. seeing that we dragged ass getting pretty, we were too late for the 'tunes and hopped over to mike's for some cannoli. yelp has always come thru for me when traveling, so i quickly tried to find the nearest and dearest seafood/pasta place. across the street from mike's was this cute, small place - i had a good feeling about it. there was a line. they only seat 20. but i knew (and yelped helped) that it was gonna be great. we stood in line for 45min. expected. everywhere in the north end takes 45 minutes. we made some friends in line (who gushed about this place and how it's worth the wait), we studied the menu, we ate bites of mike's pastry (that's what she said). finally, we got in, greeted by a busy but nice, italian dude named chris. this place ain't for romance and ambiance. this is straight up, no nonsense italian seafood. it's tiny. the kitchen shares the room, which might even be larger than the dining room itself. a old asian man's the head chef, working hard to push out dishes. we started with the grilled calamari - yum! i ordered the black linguine aglio olio - it was awes. FRESH pasta, ground squid, delicious in my mouth. i should have gotten the 1/2 order since i didnt finish. my bestie, who's vegan, was prepared to order a simple salad, but chris offered to have chef make her plain pasta w veg since their marinara was made with a meat (maybe lobster?)-based broth. my other gf ordered the linguine and shrimp. the dishes come out in the pan it was cooked in. a glass of wine per person. done - awesome. C A S H O N L Y the night ended in a way we never thought. made friends with chris and his uncle - unclie pauli (the owner). chatted it up with them, got some drinks at the cigar bar across the street and afterward, got a personal tour of the city. i'm not sayin' it'll end like that for you, unless you are 3 beautiful ladies ready for a night on the town with the sweetest, italian gentlemen in boston.
(5)Mary P.
If you don't mind a tiny place to eat, then you'll definitely be fine here. It's cash only. The menu is written on a chalkboard or white erase board (I don't remember), so it makes it easy to decide because your options aren't endless like most other places in the North End. I had the calamari and clams with linguine in red sauce. The seafood was very fresh and the sauce very tasty. The table next to me had the black pasta, which is very intriguing. I'm definitely going back and trying that!
(4)Peggy W.
Terrific calamari, great squid ink pasta, tasty linguini in tomato sauce with scallops and shrimp! VERY cramped seating. I think you can fit like....13-15 people in here MAX. Service....very, very slow. But there's only one waiter, one chef, and one busboy. So yeah. Good food, great neighborhood, prices a little on the higher end. It's a place I'd come back to, but not before I try some other gems in Boston. Line starts to form out the door past 6:30 so I'd come before 6 to secure seating, especially for a party of more than..... 2. Hahaha.
(4)Cassie L.
The Daily Catch is amazing. They don't take reservations but we waited only about half an hour for a table for two. The homemade pasta with calamari was AMAZING as was the Sicilian Littlenecks. The wine comes in plastic cups, and the atmosphere is very chill. I like the small size of the place, and that they don't pretend to be authentic with their staff (the cook that night was Asian, and there was one waiter and a dishwasher).
(5)Matthew W.
The GF and I went here on Friday after work, where we quickly learned rule number 1 about The Daily Catch: If you don't get there early or at a strange time, expect to wait for quite some time. We were smart (or lucky, depending on your perspective) and arrived at 4:30 PM, so half of the restaurant's five or six tables were half-empty, but within half an hour every seat was full and there was a line out the door. First impressions: Wow, this place is tiny. The entire restaurant fits in a space only slightly larger than the kitchen in our apartment. Small isn't bad in this case. Normally I tend to stay away from the small and cramped restaurants in North End, not because I hate small restaurants, but because there are plenty of larger restaurants that serve great food without a cramped feeling. Here, however, sitting up against a wall with the kitchen literally just two feet behind me created an ambiance larger eateries can't replicate. Both of us were famished and couldn't resist the urge to load up on bread, which was more than passable. Our order consisted of the following items: calamari meatballs squid ink (tinta di calamari) pasta, alfredo monkfish marsala over pasta two coca-colas (notable because they come in the small glass bottles.) The monkfish marsala was good -- nothing spectacular, just a good, solid dish. A bit more sweet than I expected. Fish was well-cooked. I expected nothing less. The squid ink pasta was the reason we decided to come to The Daily Catch in the first place. It definitely lived up to expectations. The alfredo sauce was superb -- thick, rich, and heavy without overwhelming the palate. Textbook. Squid ink pasta came as thick noodles. It was hard to identify why the squid ink pasta tasted so good... it just did. I've never had calamari meatballs before, but I'd gladly order them again. You can taste and smell the squid pretty clearly. Otherwise, it's just like a regular meatball, albeit with a very spongy, springy texture. The sauce was delicious -- we used the bread to mop everything up. Service was extremely fast and to the point, but friendly. We were in and out in about 45 minutes. It's not quite a 5-star restaurant -- impressive, sure, but somewhere short of amazing. Still, even in a neighborhood full of great pasta and great seafood, we'll have to find a way to come back here.
(4)Elizabeth D.
Every time I eat here, I order the calamari and the ogli olio black pasta; and every time I eat here, I leave satisfied. Yes, usually there is a line. Yes, they only take cash. No, they do not have a bathroom. Yes, they serve you water in little plastic cups. However, they are a real gem in the North End serving up fresh seafood that really hits the spot. Eating at this location is more of an experience. If all of the above really bother you so much, they have another location, so go there! Just try out what they have to offer either way.
(4)Mitch Q.
One of my favorites places to satisfy my Italian cravings. It's very small for pack lots of patience. Especially on Friday and Saturday nights.
(5)Rick C.
I've been coming to this place on every trip to Boston for 25 years. It's never disappointed. The fried Calamari is the best anywhere in the world (you must dip in Tabasco mixed with lemon, accompanied by a bottle of wine). And the pasta plates are loaded with flavor and zest. Clams, calamari, monk fish, whatever they cook -- it's all good. Don't miss the best hole in the wall in Boston -- with the best Italian seafood around. Thanks, TDC! You are the best.
(5)Max Z.
It didn't meet my expectations. Its 10:00 and I'm waiting outside with my sister and my dad. Ridiculously cold, already there for half an hour, moving around in anticipation of this wondrous meal. We're seated and the atmosphere is very warm. Cozy, home-like. We order. Calamari appetizer-very good. I love calamari so can't go wrong with that unless you don't fry it or something. At the end I felt like I could taste the batter from the squid though. Marinara sauce is absolutely wonderful. I ordered the squid ink pasta (with the squid bits mixed in, oglia something...it slips my memory and I'm on my phone and too lazy to check other reviews). At first it tasted pretty good...but eventually, it was just too salty. the garlic and olive oil all over the squid and squid pasta just sort of over-did it. Maybe the bread some of you talked about would've saved the day, but I think they ran out. It didn't meet my expectations. Sister ordered linguine with clams with red sauce. Spicy in my eyes? I think she enjoyed it, the clams were fresh and I could tell, but I'm not a spicy kinda guy, so I didn't enjoy it. Dad ordered scallop, shrimp and broccoli linguine. The seafood was great, but the pasta was too salty (again) and some of the pasta was undercooked. All in all, I was a little disappointed in a restaurant one of my good friends oh so loved. Maybe they just had a bad night and they wanted to go home.
(3)Vivek P.
Terrific place, no nonsense. Just fantastic food. Fresh and flavorful. Best homemade black pasta (tinta de calamari) I've ever had. It's all about the food here-leave fancy silverware for the chain restaurants. Had broiled scallops with black pasta aglio olio with ground squid sautéed with olive oil and garlic. Went well with birra moretti Italian beer. Be patient if you have to wait.
(5)Chad F.
The food here is definitely great. No question about it. I have tried calamari, shrimp linquine, and mussels marinara at this location, and they all have been nothing but top-notch. I need to go back and try their squid ink pasta which they are really famous for. The place is quite small, and it is true they serve water in plastic cups. I did not have to wait at all when I went (for lunch), but I can see how it could easily get crowded especially at night.
(4)Roger T.
Please take me back to The Daily Catch. I have dreams that I'm swimming in the amazing calamari that can only be found here. I want to be best friends with The Daily Catch and never let it down. I'll be back someday dear friend, I'll move to Boston just for you. Go Sox!
(5)Hiroko S.
This is very small restaurant so you can enjoy the noise in the kitchen. I don't say this is open kitchen but you can see everything what they are doing in kitchen. Black pasta was good. By the way, I miss black source with regular pasta. Do someone know the place where I can eat sepia source pasta? I also ordered calamari meat ball. That was unique and something special.
(4)Sean R.
This place is bad ass. It's cash only so hit the ATM on the way. It's first come first serve so no reservations are taken. There was a short line when we strolled up but it only took about 5 minutes to get a table. Definitely be prepared to wait as they can only seat about 20 people at a time. Trust me, it'll be worth it. The kitchen is wide open and basically located in the middle of the restaurant. You can watch the cook preparing all of the fresh seafood and pasta right in front of you. The entrees are actually served in the pans they're cooked in. Calamari meatballs were awesome. Sicilian style mussels were awesome. calamari and clams over linguine in red sauce was awesome. didn't get a chance to try the black (squid ink) pasta but i saw it up close and it looked really good. I will defintely be back next time i'm in town.
(4)Victoria S.
We'd read on Yelp that the Daily Catch was small - but - you have no idea how small until you get there! Literally 5 tables! When we arrived for dinner - we queued up outside (waiting for one of the tables inside to clear) - and it didn't seem to be that long a wait. We were seated at one of the tables - that seats 6 - so my husband and I shared that table with 2 other couples... It felt very "family style"! We had to try the calimari - their speciality - and the calimari meatballs (different!). Being literally "in" the kitchen provides lots of entertainment value - and let's just say the 2 other couples were true Bostonians - accents and all. That made the meal even more fun! Go hungry - and then be prepared to leave VERY full. And take cash - they are cash only.
(4)Ken L.
Charming! As long as you know what you're walking in to, you'll have a great experience here (small, hole-in-the-wall, menu on the chalkboard, paper napkins and plastic wine glasses). Lots of garlic, losts of oil, lots of atmosphere, good food. Pastas served in the saute pans, cash only.
(4)Ashleigh P.
Look, it's a tiny, tiny place. The Daily Catch isn't trying to come off as anything fancy. My most recent experience was this past Sunday. I had time to kill before a concert at the Garden, so I walked on over to the North End. I was alone, so I didn't want to sit anywhere by myself. I wanted something cheap and fast, and I wasn't hungry enough for an entire sandwich from Dino's. I decided to go to the Daily Catch for some delicious calamari. I didn't what a whole small order, so as they have done for me before, I was given a half-small/appetizer for $5. Pure deliciousness! The guys who were working that night were in a jovial mood and joked with me, as well as the other people who were eating there. Also, anyone who is willing to take an item off the menu and alter it for me wins my vote!
(4)Steve T.
Family owned place for many decades. The food is made fresh in front of you (kitchen shares the same space). The menu is on a chalk board. Try the pasta with squid ink or the fresh swordfish. Had the broiled swordfish - excellent! They are famous for their calamari. They do not take reservations, there are 3 boston locations. Nice location in the North side. You can walk around after dinner. Tip: CASH only
(5)Angel D.
I love you, The Daily Catch! I DO NOT love you Mr. Citizens Bank next door! So TheDC only takes cash, ok fine...good to know this beforehand as we were being seated so I ran over to Citizen's Bank to withdraw money (EVEN though this is not my bank...but in the heat of summer, I wasn't going to chase down a BOA)....so I happen to look at my bank statement the other week...I get charged on the day of the transaction for $2.75 then a day later an additional $2...I click my "what is this fee" tab and this pops up: "What is this fee?" This fee is assessed whenever an ATM without a Bank of America's logo is used for withdrawals, transfers, or balance inquiries. In some instances, you may be charged a fee by the ATM operator or network as well." So maybe I should be yelping Citizen's Bank instead....hmmm, back to TheDC... The table turnover is quick but our waiter was attentive and friendly. The food is really fresh and there is a lot of use of garlic in every dish so you need to LOVE garlic (which I do!)....I would definitely go back here again, but next time with my wallet full of cash! p.s. I recommend the shrimp and scallops with linguine in a spicy red sauce *(I was a little disappointed in the fried calamari, the calamari pieces weren't "meaty" and it seemed a bit too fried/dry)
(4)Trevor S.
Tucked between loud gaudy places swallowing tourists, and the townies who flock to them, is the Daily Catch. A family run place--that picture on the wall that looks like a class photo is the family. Tables are squeezed together, and you'll meet your neighbors. It's got an open kitchen because there's no space for a wall, not because it's trendy. Almost always has a line, and it's worth the wait.
(4)Dara C.
So there is little to no atmosphere, unless you really enjoy the sight of your cook eating a piece of cake with one hand and cursing around an unlit cigarette ... what the hell, I consider that pretty enjoyable. It is also cash-only, which can be irritating for some but again, who cares. Drinks are served in paper cups and once, there was something that looked like a bread tie in my mine. Do I mind? No. No, I don't. Why? 1) Before you even enter, the place smells fantastic, like garlic and joy and calories. 2) They know how to fry calamari without making it taste like an oily fish sponge. 3) Their squid ink pasta puttanesca is what dreams are made of. Perfectly inky, smooth, and olive-y, but not in an offensive way. Perfect amount of salt. It has serious last-meal potential. It would be five stars but I was a little disturbed by the seating arrangements. My dinner companion was over six feet tall and forced to sit in a non-seat at the non-table in the window. It involved sticking his legs pretty much out the window, and we looked kind of ridiculous, folded over like cavemen while shoveling seafood into our mouths. But I'm willing to suffer a crick in my neck for that damn squid ink.
(4)Michael L.
We were on our way to Giacomo's and there was a huge line outside, so we walked back a block to The Daily Catch, a tiny, brightly lit place with all of about 5 tables. I knew that when our wine was served in plastic cups, we were in for some very unpretentious fare. We enjoyed the appetizer-sized portions of their main pasta dishes, and with an order of the fried calamari it was more than enough to send us all out full and happy. If you're into decor and ambiance, this might not be the place for you. But if you're into watching the chef prepare your dinner 3 feet from your table, and aren't put-off by paper napkins, plastic cups and cramped quarters, this is definitely a possibility. We met and befrieded just about everyone in the place, many North End locals, and would recommend to anyone. A tip: if you need to use the restroom, you need to do it before you go. They don't have one. One of the patrons was sent across the street to use another restaurant's facilities :)
(4)meital f.
This is the second time I'm eating at this daily catch- feels very Italian - the service is authentically annoyed by to many questions and indecisive customers- the food is excellent - always surprises me on how simple is the best- and I Always love to feel like I'm in an Italian kitchen- lucky for us the weather was good so we didn't mind the wait outside. Recommendation- the vinaigrette dish the restaurant in brookline is more upscale - also great!
(5)Loan C.
My sister took me here for lunch one day. I was very intrigued by her stories of "black" pasta. The restaurant itself was pretty small, but like most of the restaurants in the North End, very busy. There was a line already for a large party to have lunch. Luckily, there was only 3 of us so we got seated right away. There wasn't a public restroom, you'd have to go across the street, but I didn't mind, as the pasta was devine. Your pastas are made fresh in ur own skillet, sizzling has it is served to you. Very cool. I enjoyed every bite of my black pasta. Fit for foodies, lunch, or even dates!
(5)Lisa H.
Yummy pasta! I tried their squid ink pasta and it was different, but quite good. They serve the food right on the pan so they won't skimp a drop of sauce. Their prices are reasonable considering their seafood taste fresh. The place is very small which is a good thing because the service was great and the food was very fresh.
(5)Kirill K.
Five big stars! Squid ink pasta and calamari meatballs.... Heaven on earth!
(5)David C.
Can't believe I forgot to review this place. It's one of my favorite places for seafood pasta. Expect to wait. Love the small space and the busy ambiance. I'm literally eating in the kitchen. The owner was there on our 2nd visit and he treated us like family. Of all the great places in boston, I always come back to this.
(4)Jay T.
Sadly, I have to give this place two stars. For a place that supposedly prides itself on fresh seafood, it's just not up to snuff. I've been several times, and I don't mind the slow service, crowded conditions, etc. That's part of the package, and it's a package I actually tend to enjoy. What I do mind is that they charge very high prices for substandard food. As far as the food goes, it's been a mixed experience. Fried calamari is good, but not great. The calamari salad is a better option. Monkfish marsala was a strange dish, a bit too sweet for my tastes. Squid ink linguine alla Puttanesca with shrimp was... well, it lived up to its name (Puttanesca basically means "the way a whore would make it"). Puttanesca has kind of a murky, pungent flavor by default, but mine tasted a bit like dish water, and the shrimp were not exactly fresh. (Perhaps I have an unusually high standard for shrimp, considering my South Carolina upbringing, but there is no reason this place can't get fresh shrimp. Hell, they could walk two blocks and get head-on shrimp from Mercato del Mare.) The pasta itself was overcooked. And speaking of supposedly fresh seafood, why is it that the menu never changes? Supposedly there is a summer menu, but the first time I went was in August, and the menu has been the same ever since. The summer menu doesn't seem to be accessible from their website either. Very suspicious. There are never specials, as far as I can tell. I have a feeling that this place has been coasting on reputation for quite a while. Perhaps it was once really great, but there are lots of better options for seafood nearby. Go to Neptune instead. You can spend the same amount and get a meal ten times better.
(2)Mariano A.
The Daily Catch serves the best seafood pasta in the North End, hands down. There aren't many restaurants that can get your tastebuds jumping before even stepping into the establishment. This restaurant does. What's so good about this place? Oh, JUST the homemade black squid ink pasta, the white and red sauces, and the fresh seafood which includes but is not limited to mussels, clams, calamari and lobster. So, pretty much everything. So what dish should you try? The Aglio Oglio is one of the signature dishes, as well as the Lobster Fra Diavolo for 2. These are both amazing, however, you can choose any one of the dishes on the menu or ask to customize your own seafood combo in a red or white sauce. And don't forget to ask for the black squid ink pasta. I personally live for red sauces, particularly garlic and/or fra diavolo style sauces. The red sauce here is to die for. You know they are preparing this delicious masterpiece when the aroma of oil and garlic hit the air and your mouth starts to water. Then the sound of the red sauce being poured in makes you want to two-step to the tune of the chef's sizzling concerto. With loads of garlic goodness you can delicately taste in each bite, this delicious "fra diavolo" style is like Drake says, "da best I ever had". When I finish my meal the only thing left for me to do is to stand up and applaud the chef because my meal deserves nothing less than a standing ovation. I make sure not to knock anything over while I do this though because the place is relatively small and a little bit cramped, but well worth giving up a bit of space for the food. Just rating this place makes me want to walk over and grab a quick bite as I type. Actually...hold on...a sec.....ok, I'm back. Yep, that was me switching from my desktop to my smartphone, Siri has taken over as I walk over to the Daily Catch. I apologize in advannnce 4 any typ000s or misssstayykes
(5)Brian B.
The highlight of our trip to Boston. The place is an institution. The wait wasn't too long, even though it was a Saturday night. The place can only hold 15-20 people at 5 tables, so you need to be ready to share a table with total strangers. Our table mates suggested the calamari meatballs as a starter, pretty good, but not sure I would order them again, I had the pasta with shrimp and red sauce, it was excellent! As an added bonus (for me at least) they serve Coke in glass bottles. The restaurant is one room, a few tables in front with a small bar separating it from the kitchen. So you can see all the action going on in the kitchen. The service was quick and efficient, it has to be with only 3 people on staff, the waiter, the cook and the dishwasher.
(4)Brian G.
Walking around the North End on an early Saturday night, I wasn't sure that my date and I would find a reasonably priced place to eat that didn't have an hour long wait. But she mentioned that a few years back she at at this place with a green awning, although she couldn't remember the name. After wandering around for 15 minutes or so, we came upon The Daily Catch's green awning and saw a line that started about 10 people or so back from the door to the place. I was a bit worried about having to wait, but we were on line for no more than half an hour, quite good for that time of day in one of the busiest tourist sections of Boston. Once inside, I was taken back a bit by the size of the restaurant; at most there were 8 tables, seating maybe 20 people (at most). The chef was also a bit worrisome as well; an Asian chef in an Italian seafood restaurant? I'm half-Chinese and half-Italian myself, and this made me question our decision to eat there. Despite all of my reservations, my worries were put to rest once the food came. We each ordered a different sauce with the homemade black pasta the Daily Catch serves. Mine was cooked in a calamari and anchovy garlic sauce and she ordered her's with a chopped squid sauce. Both were delicious! And at $21 a plate for a HUGE portion, a relative bargain! Keeping with the odd asian influences, we took home the rest of our food in those white Chinese food takeout containers. I'll definitely be coming back here again. The only suggestion I would have for the Daily Catch would be to work to remedy their space problem. Our table was squeezed into the corner of the restaurant, actually placed on top of a wall build out that completely prevented us from putting out feet underneath the table. Luckily, the waiter was very apologetic and we didn't need to wait for our food for very long, so it wasn't that huge of a problem.
(4)Linh V.
This place was great. We came at the perfect time and only had to wait in line for 15 minutes. Our meal lasted for 2 hours but we were only eating for 45 minutes. Service was insanely slow but that's only because there was one really nice lady working. We started off with the cherrystones which were delicious and succulent. After that we had the Lobster Fra Diavlo. It was not very diavlo or spicy but it was delicious. The proportions are very generous and everything was very fresh. Overall this place is great and I highly recommend it. We will be back for their black pasta which my boyfriend could not keep his eyes off of as we ate our Lobster Fra.
(4)Stacy Y.
This place was recommended to me by a friend specifically for the black ink pasta. We arrived around 12:30 with a large group of people knowing that we would have to wait. Having just attended a wedding the night before, we were a group of 9 so we broke up in to 2 groups, a 5 top and a 4 top and after about an hour wait we were seated within 5 minutes of each other. The restaurant is so small it was as if we were sitting together anyway. Our table had 4 people and between us we ordered calamari, their special calamari platter, clams casino, black ink pasta Alfredo, black ink pasta aglia olio, and calamari and shrimp scampi in a red sauce. Everything was amazing! The best part was that for the black ink pasta you could order appetizer portions so as to not over stuff yourself and you could also try more that is on the menu. We even had room for cannoli for dessert! (Not at the Daily Catch but at the Modern Bakery down the street. The line for Mike's Pastry was way too long.) If you are in Boston and feel like a great seafood pasta experience, head up to the North End and check out the Daily Catch! Smaller groups are easier to accommodate or get there right when they open at 11 to get the first table. Also, after a big meal like that, walk around and enjoy Boston! You'll have fueled up enough to see the whole town without having to stop for a snack!
(4)Franklin F.
I'm only giving 1 star because the waiter/attendant was real nice. I went to this place with my wife on our 7th anniversary because she had heard so many "good" things. We ordered 1 fried calamari app, & 2 black pastas (1 squid & clams in red sauce, the other shrimp in "white" sauce). The appetizer was good, but the pasta was awful. The squid & clams black pasta was super chewy, it was like eating a Twizzler. The shrimp black pasta was equally bad and had about a pound of garlic as well as no white sauce but rather ton of oil... It is safe to say that we did not eat the food and left it virtually untouched in the pans they came in. The nice waiter approached our table and saw that we had not touched our food and at that moment we asked for the check and he asked how come we had not eaten our food, and we told him how bad it was and he decided to change it for another type of pasta and we accepted. When the waiter told the chef what we had said and what he was doing for us, the chef started yelling that we should eat our food, and saying who doesn't like garlic, the chef came close to calling us stupid. I could not keep listening to that and got up and told the waiter I would pay for the food even though we did not eat it, it was TOO embarrassing plus our anniversary dinner was ruined! While I was talking with the waiter the chef kept yelling and I decided to pay for the entire bill and take off(again we did not eat any of our food), I was not going to listen any further to the indirect insults of the RUDE chef... I'm sorry for the waiter but I will NEVER eat there again, I will NOT recommend this place to anyone!!! I have never spent $60 in such regrettable way...
(1)Mike T.
Amazing. great little place.
(5)Melissa A.
Four of us went here last night and had to wait for them to clean up a four seater. The waitress blankly looked at us and looked over at the six-seater table that had a couple occupying two seats and said "You can sit here now." And we were all "Well, we can wait the minute it will take to clear the other table." She gave us a smirk, a roll of the eyes, and waddled away. Sure enough, one minute later, we sat down already designating ourselves as the uncompromising assholes of the whole place. So after waiting about 15 minutes, and after craning our necks to read the chalkboard menu, and after straining my eyes to try to read the parts of the blue-chalk-on-green-chalkboard menu, she finally comes to us to take our orders. The whole time we're ordering I feel like she's about to stab us when we hem and haw but whatevs. If they spit in the food, we'd see it cause we were in the back table RIGHT NEXT to the kitchen which REEKED of garlic which I love and but I think I still smell it today, like it permeated my skin. Anywhats, the place has a family sort of feel especially since you're basically eating in the one room [P.S. I don't think there's a bathroom in there] and the lady totally reminds me of my mom if she hated me more. I tried the soft, creamy calamari meatballs with a sweet red sauce. I also tried one of the huge chewy littleneck clams whose white wine juices were spilled on Annie as they were served. I still have the palate of a 12-year-old and get all "EWWW!" when I see the calamari bits that look like tiny octopi or clams sitting in the shell, but I'm trying to get over it. I mean, Kraft can only make so many varieties of macaroni and cheese. So I order the appetizer portion of the black pasta, dyed from squid ink [very daring for me] with Alfredo sauce [very vanilla of me]. It was good, the texture of the pasta was... interesting, more substantive than garden variety boxed pasta, and the Alfredo sauce was creamy but not too salty. I think the place was closing soon because one of the cooks hung up his apron and broke out the latest issue of "Brazilian Times." I left satisfied, but not full, and feeling awkward as usual. Sometimes I feel like I should just stay at home and order bulk Kraft from Amazon...unless the postman makes me feel awkward :(
(4)Annie P.
After thinking PASTA and heading to Hanover street only to find Giacomo's with their obvious ridicurous line outside.. my out of town guest + two bang twins were rubbing their stomachs with hungry beady eyes.. so I had to save the night (yet again. sigh. puhaha.) While walking to G's... we passed by all the pasta staples but the Daily Catch caught my attention due to having had dinner at the other location by the docks. This Daily Catch was way different and better. Limited seating, no paper menus and one sole gangster waitress. Anyways.. we ate here. It took awhile to eat here but we sure ate here. I'm not sure if the staff here wanted us to eat here after they were open aired annoyed that we asked for them to clear a table for us instead of seating us next to a romantic dinner couple but we still ate here. Stale bread coming 'atcha! Don;t you worry... AMAJEEEENG Cherrystones. Chika chika bang bang.. meaty, flavorful and easy to go down! Had a bit of the calamari meatballs=light fishy tasting meat balls. Get the black pasta here... even if it's the appetizer size and go for the garlic sauce.. alfredo was yummy but on complimentary levels..Aglia Olio won. Yes this is the place where they serve pasta straight from the stove to table in the silver pans.. handle and everything! Oh snap! P.S Even if you piss off you know who.. she'll still give you a smile at the end.
(4)Christina R.
I quite like this place. It is a very small space, and is definitely no frills. You should take a good look at the chalkboard menu when you walk in or while you're waiting, because it's not necessarily easily read from all the tables. Not that this place is big. The space is small and you can pretty easily watch your meal getting made, though it is more likely that you'll be engrossed in good dinner conversation. If I remember correctly, the salad wasnt worth it, I think it had iceburg lettuce. Shrimp scampi and black pasta however, were very tasty. Yes, you'll be drinking your soda, beer, or wine out of plastic cups, but I don't think that's any big deal. Something about the cramped space in here makes it feel like you're almost part of a big family dinner. Prices were reasonable and I think we were good splitting a salad, appetizer, and one pasta dish between two people. Size of appetite would make a difference I guess. The black pasta we ordered was kind of swimming in an olive oil sauce however. I can see how that can be a turnoff but I found it to have a very rich olive (like actual olives, not olive oil) flavor so i was willing to overlook it.
(4)Sand R.
Here is my experience: 1) Long waiting--1 hour. 2) Poor hygiene-- 3 people worked in this place: a chef, a person taking order, and a person washing dishes and doing all other stuffs. Because it is opened kitchen, we can see everything happened in the kitchen. I was very concerned about the hygiene there. The dishes were barely washed, and the person in charge with dishes also cut bread and bring bread to our table with his hand. YES, he saw we ran out of bread, so he grasped bread with his hand, and put in to basket on our table. The chef was constantly eating when he was cooking (I wondered if he ate our fish). 3) Food quality was not good-- ink pasta was ok, but nothing in the pasta beside garlic and onion. Fried squid plate should have some squid, fish, and fries. We got one piece of fish--thumb size. Two dishes including tip were about $50. It is totally a waste of time and money. I, for sure, won't come back to this one.
(1)Mark L.
I know there are better Italian places within walking distance of this place...Carmens, Vinoteca de Monica, Mare and Teatro come to mind. You could easily get a better 2 course meal w/ one drink at each of these places for the same $95 I wasted on Daily Catch. Yes I get that it's really fresh seafood, yes I get it's a small family operation...but seriously...I was pissed. Hell at this point I'd even go next door to Cafe Pomodoro again (a place I swore off after they redid the dining area. Yes the booths looked nice but the food wasn't what it used to be. Now it looks like the changed it back to dining tables again). I don't care about ambiance, really as long as the food is good I'll happily squat on the sidewalk. But the food simply wasn't that good. It certainly was not worth waiting outside for an hour to be sandwiched between two strangers with hot frying pans flying around your head. We had the fried calamari, fried clams, clams with white sauce, and scallops and shrimp w/ broccoli with white sauce. The pastas were good, but not particularly memorable. Oh and the restaurant ran out of bread on a Saturday night around 7. I specifically remember eating at Il Panino (the sit down place not the fast food-ish type one) and a bus boy running out to buy more bread when they ran out.
(2)La Lilly B.
The Daily Catch. I know all of my reviews start off with my husband. This one does too. This was where we had out first date. I think I see a pattern here. My husband knows good food. This place is small and gets busy. The menu offers seafood and pasta with a few non-pasta dishes. This is little Italy go ahead and eat some carbs for goodness sake. They have red and white sauce to go with a few seafood pasta combos. I love the red sauce and my husband always gets the white. The kitchen is right there so you get to see them making your food. The food comes in the pan they cook it in. Be careful it is hot. The portions are a good size and when you are done savoring every bite head across the street to get some dessert. This place is soo small it does not have bathroom, you can go across the street and use theirs with no problem. I love the North End this is one of our favorite places. Oh the memories!!
(5)Kristine H.
i think i had really high expectations for this place, but it truly was just okay. had the calamari platter to share and friends got the black pasta w/ puttanesca. tried the sauce, was heavy and olive-y. the white fish with the calamari was good, as were the fries. according to the friends the black pasta was just a different texture, nothing too special... just another pasta place, not really any options for gluten-free diners.
(3)K E.
I live in the North End and this is by far my favorite restaurant. Everything I try there is delicious, but my favorite is the squid ink pasta with alfredo sauce. YUMMY. I love seafood but can't get past this dish.
(5)RJ P.
This place was fantastic. It was exactly as it had been described. It's a family run restaurant since 1973 and basically a kitchen with only 20 seats. I heard about the place last weekend when I was in Las Vegas having dinner at Hank's and noticed that our waiter was from Boston. I told him I would be in Boston next weekend and ask him to give me a couple of ideas for great restaurants that were not "tourist" traps. This was the first place he mentioned and the first place we went. The food was awesome. My wife and I started off with an order of cooked Littleneck Clams. We watched the chef prepare them across the room, well really the kitchen. They were great. Next, my wife and I both ordered their special black squid ink pasta but with different sauces. My wife got it with Puttanesca sauce (one of my wife's favorites - she really enjoyed there version.) I ordered mine with with the ground Calamari and garlic sauce - yummy. We each had a glass of wine. The only draw back, but fitting for the atmosphere, was the wine was served in plastic glasses. Aside from the presentation, our wines were great. Theo, one of the family's son's, waited on us. He was very informative and help us with our dinner selections and pointed us in the right direction after dinner for coffee and desserts on Hanover Street. There is not menu posted outside, so make sure you stick your head in the door and look to the left. You will see a blackboard which allows for a flexible menu and the freshest seafood.
(5)Pink G.
This place is something special. It's not one of those shi-shi Italian restaurant found in Boston's North End but they sure got their favors right. It's a tiny place with an open kitchen so you can see what the cook is making and you get the smell as a souvenir. They are famous for their Black Squid Ink Fresh Pasta and I usually have the Putanesca: with the anchovy sauce that perfectly coats the fresh pasta - a consistency that can only be attained when its fresh. The olives give it another level of texture and favor that enhances the whole putanesca experience. I'm from Los Angeles but I make sure that I come here whenever I am in town. Also the Garlic Broccoli has a ton of garlic but its worth the "stink", just make sure you're not on a date but you are you have to share that way you smell the same! It's an East Coast experience that one will enjoy.
(4)Anita A.
Awesome, fresh seafood. Can be packed on weekend with wait.
(5)Jason G.
One of the best meals I have ever had! After reading the reviews on here I had to check it out. Great food, worth the wait.
(4)Jack Y.
nothing special except the black color of pasta. The horrible services do stand out. Seems they don't care about their rudeness, people come anyways.. after dining, they directly put 20% tip on your bill. The total adds up to 41 dollars (including tips of course). After gave the waiter 50$, he shamelessly asking "do you need change". Yah, you bet I do. Then the incapable (not even be able to use calculator) and overly rude waiter gave 6$ in change ... going back again? probably not.
(1)Goshen F.
Terrific!! The black squid pasta was delious!
(5)John F.
I really think that if there was no line and there was the same food down the street with a different name , all of these reviews would be negative. People feel the need to think its GREAT because others think its great and there is a huge line always. Probably the worst lunch I have ever had. Now I know why I have never seen locals in the line or inside eating and its all dumb tourists. 3 people in my party, not 1 good dish. Calamari Appetizer was just alright nothing special. Pasta wasn't fully cooked on the sides of the pan , and the clams in all 3 dishes were not cooked , basically raw. The color of the clams were off as well. Will never go back and anyone that does should have their heads examined when there are dozens of better spots a stones throw away. Tourist trap for people who dont know what real good food is.
(1)Justin G.
The Daily Catch is one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. I just love this place. Their shrimp scampi is the best that I have had anywhere and their pastas are wonderful. This place is tiny with only about 5 small tables so don't come here with a big party because you will likely have to wait at least an hour dinner times to get in. All the dishes are served in the pans they are cooked in and you will likely leave here smelling of garlic since the kitchen is next to your table. The food is always good here and the ingredients always fresh. I highly recommend this place if you are in search of the best Italian infused seafood in Boston.
(5)Sarah C.
One of the best Italian restaurants there is out there. Though the wait in line was extensive, the food inside was great. The limited seating was frustrating, and we ended up sitting next to two other couples we didn't know. At the same time, however, it created a very homey atmosphere were people were asking each other what they got (they were an arms length away) The calamari was so fresh--actually (and not surprisingly) all their seafood was great. We ordered the big portion and that was definitely too much. Husband had the black ink pasta, I had some pasta with calamari and marinara sauce. Though I liked my dish, I LOVED his black pasta! It not only had a unique flavor, but texture as well. Also liked the atmosphere that they just give you the pan they cook it in. Great place to go, and obviously a Boston favorite
(5)Jeanne N.
This is by far my favorite Italian place in Boston. The atmosphere is very hole-in-the-wall authentic, which I love. The service is loud and the open kitchen makes it feel like you're in your mother's kitchen. We ordered the littleneck clams as an appetizer and the squid ink pasta aglio olio for the main course. The food is fresh, unique, and bursting with flavor. There is definitely a long wait, so go during off hours.
(5)Catarina C.
The first and last time i went to the daily catch.. I went with my friend and we were politely asked to wait outside for a table. Sure, no problem, so we end up standing outside the door trying not to creepily stare at the people inside. (you know how that happens with glass windows, and that inevitable staring contest that ensues) The only waiter there told us that a table seating three wine drinkers would be leaving soon- that's fine, we are patient people. Fast forward 25 minutes later, stomach is audibly grumbling and i finally see a beacon of light- another table is getting up! I gathered myself, mentally hop-skipping with happiness until my dream was literally crushed in the matter of 30 seconds. As the table exits the door, a cab magically pulls up, 4 people get out, and the waiter opens the door and quickly ushers them to the free table. Speechless, I point one finger upwards. "but..uh...that's...we...what?!" The waiter looks at me and says, "sorry, they're my cousins. But that other table might still get up soon". At this point, I looked at the original table we had been waiting for, still lazily drinking a bottle of cab. Definitely no signs of leaving soon. At this point I angrily asked the waiter what his name was (my trick to do if you want to throw off and annoy dicky waitstaff) and in turn he started mumbling and then told me he was the owner so it didn't matter. He then started yelling at me to walk away. (who trained you in customer service?) Moral of the story: I heard the daily catch is a great place with amazing seafood, hence the generous 2 stars. I guess I will never know. If that guy really is the owner, then god bless and someone tell me his secret of success with that stank ass attitude. If he isn't, someone needs to fire him STAT.
(2)Jim A.
My favorite Boston restaurant!! There's just something about getting your seafood pasta in the pan hot off the stove.
(5)Andy C.
We got here around 9ish on a Saturday night. There was one party ahead of us, and it took roughly 20 minutes to get sat. The place really is tiny, without even a bathroom, which you need to go across the street for apparently. But we were not here for the ambiance. Here is what we ordered: free table bread - store bought but not bad. sautéed calamari appetizer - very good. nice flavor and very tender calamari meatballs - the sauce was the best part of this dish. I am not sure squid makes a good meatball in general. squid ink pasta with garlic and ground squid - very good and flavorful. It was served in the skillet is was cooked in, so nothing was lost from pot to plate. shrimp pasta with red sauce - again very good, red sauce was great. Prices are reasonable, and the food was pretty good. Porting size was nice as well, no skimping on ingredients. I would come here again for sure, as it serves good food with no pretense. Service was good overall, but depending on where tables are at with their meals you might have to wait a bit for service as there is only one waiter/sever.
(4)Patrick H.
What this place lacks in ambience it makes up for in food quality. The Lobster Fra Diablo was incredible. It is very small, so get there early, it is worth it.
(5)Adri Y.
BLACK PASTA!! First time a friend had mentioned that to me, I was like....uhhhh what the crap is that? Wellll it does look preeeetty gross but it's friggen delicious! There are 3 different sauces for the black pasta. I've tried all of them (all very awesome) but I would have to say my favorite is the Algio Olio (Ground Calamari with, Olive Oil, Garlic & Anchovy). What makes it black? Squid Ink! Yum! Other dishes I have tried: Calamari Meatball Calamari Scampi Haddock Scallops and Linguine Monk fish Marsala - this one was ok...first time I've tried Monk fish and not sure I'm too big a fan of it. This place serves you straight from the pan that it was cooked in. This location is basically a hole in the wall and probably need to wait at the door for a seat (especially on a nice weekend evening) but definitely worth the wait! If you're not into waiting or have a party of more than 4 people, there is the other location by the waterfront which has a nicer decor. Also, what can be better than eating dinner here and being able to run across the street afterwards and grabbing a cannoli from the famous Mike's Pastry!
(5)Maple M.
This restaurant is pretty small with 5 to 6 tables so if you have big group probably gonna wait for awhile. We've waited for about 30-40 mins for our table for 2 on dinner time. Despite the causal environment and the waiting time, the food is awesome. The house special lobster is the best I've ever had. Thank you!! I will definitely going back.
(5)Food Lover W.
My favorite memory of Boston. My husband and I took the Amtrak to Boston and stayed for a few days and walked the city. We were lucky enough to get into Daily Catch without much of a wait. Very tiny, four or seven tables maybe? The cooking area takes up alot of the restaurant. Loved seeing the stacks of pans and watching the chef cook. Fresh food, decent prices, sicilian seafood and pasta. Excellent meal, enjoyable dining experience. Will be back the next time I am in Boston. No credit cards, no reservations.
(5)Steve H.
This WAS one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. Not anymore. The new staff is awful. The big fat, loud, sweaty rude chef is not as good as the previous one. He's also slower due to him walking outside for a break after every 2-4 dishes made. The old woman waiter is rude and totally clueless. It's a small restaurant and the previous staff were good about optimizing seating to minimize wait times. The old woman doesn't attempt to minimize unused seats at all. I used to always make custom orders that were pretty simple. The old lady was totally confused by my order and got it wrong. In short, please hire new staff or those long waits people endure for a table wont last.
(1)Moises G.
I was passing by after a bike tour nearby hungry and wanting something good. I passed by this place and it looked like a tiny hole in the wall you wouldn't want to eat in. My NY instinct told me that I needed to eat here. Thankfully I wasn't wrong and was well rewarded for my choice. The food is made very quickly and was soooo delicious, highly recommended at least once for a visit there.
(4)Al A.
Small. Good food. Relatively inexpensive. Large servings. Nice atmosphere. Great location. Extremely popular.
(4)Liza R.
I really wanted to like this place...but it left a lot to be desired. The BF got the fish and chips...and boy was it a sad plate of fish and chips. I ordered the clams & calamari in white sauce and I just wasn't wowed. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad at all but definitely not a place I'd stand in line and wait for. Not to mention the little plastic cups they served the luke warm water in...ick
(2)Lina G.
Yuck.....I don't know what the hell people were raving about. The service SUCKED, but that's to be expected in the North End. I got the squid ink pasta which was so freaking greasy. I love squid ink pasta and I love olive oil but I didn't want to feel like I was eating squid swimming in olive oil....gross. We got the calamari too and that was typical american style, not like my mama makes. I will never go again.
(2)Allen K.
We are were visiting from Brooklyn this week with the kids and we are no stranger to real Italian food. This is a tiny place that seats fewer than 30, but everything is homemade from scratch. Uniques Sicilian things like a meatball made from calamari in marinara. Simple genius. Our adventurous nine year old ordered a fresh puttanesca with black ink homemade pasta that was unique...rich...savory and amazing. I ordered a monkfish in a marsala with mushrooms that was as good as any veal or even sweetbreads that I've had. My wife had a simple tune sauteed with balsamic and onions. We spent the whole meal talking to the owner and chef while they showed us every preparation. They tell us that several of their products will soon be carried by Whole Foods. We look forward to our next trip to the North End.
(5)David C.
I came a few years ago when my good friend was living in Boston and the calamari was amazing. I still consider it the best calamari I have ever had. I had no idea the squid ink was so popular. I can't wait to come back and try their pastas.
(4)Mark B.
Black pasta and calamari. Wonderful.
(4)Daniel W.
We came here for lunch on our last day in Boston. We had to try this restaurant before we left. The food is very good and is served in the pan it was cooked in. I had the black pasta (pasta noodles made with squid ink) and scallops. My fiancee had scallop linguine with red sauce. Our waiter was very friendly and made us feel at home. A few tips: the restaurant is small, so go there on off-peak times. Also there is no restroom at this restaurant. The food and service are good which makes this restaurant worth going to.
(5)Jeffrey T.
I enjoyed this place a lot. I haven't made my way over to the North End too many times, and I don't particularly like to eat Italian a lot, but this place ranks highly with me. The fried calamari was the best that I have ever tasted! It was fresh and definitely not chewy, like I've had at most other places. I enjoyed my mussels marinara over linguine, which is served in the pan. The red sauce was delicious, and I would definitely recommend trying it on any of the dishes. Like everyone else says, it is small. In fact, it's probably the smallest restaurant I've ever eaten in. At the same time, it has a cozy feel, plus it's neat watching the chef prepare your meal. All-in-all, great place to eat and I plan on going back here!
(5)Michael B.
3 words say it all. Squid. Ink pasta!
(5)Jenna H.
I lived across the street from here for three years and never ventured in as I was never up for waiting in the line outside. For my friend's 30th we decided to go though as we heard the seafood was top notch. We waited about 45 minutes outside, which is not terrible but not preferred. It did give me time to run to the atm as it is cash only. To start we had the calamari meatballs..woah - if I were rating this place on those alone it would be a five! Amazing and original. One waiter for the small establishment was not enough though as we had to wait long periods to order and things such as water refills were forgotten, the waiter was doing his best though and was very friendly. For dinner I had the scallops with shrimp and broccoli - while presentation gets five stars - I found the dish to be bland, very disappointing. It was a very humid night and if I were to try here again, I may wait for winter as it is a small place where you share tables with other patrons.
(3)Sylvia L.
I was one of the few lucky people to wait less than an hour to get seated. This restaurant is a very small restaurant since the kitchen takes up more than half of the place. At most, the place can serve 7 tables. I ordered the Black Pasta in Puttanesca style which is homemade black pasta served in mushrooms, peppers, and onions in olive anchovy butter. This dish is AMAZING. The pasta was cooked just right, peppers and onions are cooked to crunchy perfection, and the creamy taste of anchovy butter was delicious. I give two thumbs-up for this pasta dish. Other dishes that I recommend: swordish and side of linguine calamari and linguine in garlic clam sauce I give this place 4 out of 5 stars because of one reason. NO BATHROOM. We asked the server, and he said, "We don't have a public restroom, but across the street, you can use the restrooms at Caffe Vittoria. Tell them that Mike sent you." Hilarious.
(4)Belle F.
Don't let the appearance of this place fool you. Yes the place is tiny. Yes, it's a hole in the wall. And yes, they will serve your water and wine in plastic cups. That being said, this place is hands down the best seafood dinner you will find in the North End, and perhaps in all of Boston. We have been going there for years. All of their dishes are good, but when we come here, I usually order the same entree: the monkfish marsala. It is to die for. As others have noted, it is best to go early (or midweek) to try to avoid a wait in line. And yes, it is cash only. I personally don't think it is expensive in comparison to some of the other North End establishments we frequent, it's actually cheaper than many of them, and the food is far better. Our last dinner for two was around $80 which included our food, two glasses of wine, a beer and the tip. Reasonable in my estimation for one of the best meals you will get anywhere.
(5)Andy R.
I eat here nearly every time I have out-of-town visitors. The limited menu is consistently, very good. I'm a sucker for pasta with seafood in a garlic & oil. Its also fun to watch the cook cranking out the dinners. I think I am drawn to this place because of its atmosphere. Unlike the other *nice* places in the North End, the Daily Catch looks like a low-end diner. Somehow its more hip because its a dive. It is certainly a more memorable dining experience. Yet I come back time after time for garlicky pasta. Being across from Mikes Pastry helps complete the evening.
(4)Billy Su B.
don't come here looking for the world renowned chef le fancy-man and his team of fancy bow-tied le toots and their le tooty champagne and fancy le toot faces. they're burly men! they're catching fish- probably with their bare hands or just their general manly awesomeness! they're cookin' em up with solid, flavorful, simple ingredients, and sending it out in a pan for you to enjoy- not for you to psychologically examine or over-analyze. in my opinion- there is no denying that the food at the daily catch is good. GOOD! there is an art to simple food, a special element, a special appeal! i feel like food in boston has gotten so competitive, and that's good, but it also has the effect of encouraging restaurants to be too flashy and complicated for their own good. remaining simple- it's a bold move and the daily catch has done it right. the dining room looks like a break-room, they only use plastic cups for beer and wine, they serve you your dinner in the pan it was cooked in instead of a plate, and the entire place is run by 3 or 4 manly dudes. slow down and enjoy a trip away from white linen and ingredients you can't pronounce, and savor this simple, flavorful, charming italian seafood. our entire table loved their meals! my white wine, garlic, salted, peppered slow cooked haddock was absolutely delightful- the pinnacle of fresh. my portion was generous too- friday/saturday is sure to be a zoo so i'd recommend going on a weekday, seeing as the seating is so scant.
(5)Feng-Ju H.
Definitely the best seafood I have ever had! I am a big food fan, if I love it, you will love it! Affordable price, fresh seafod, amazing flavor and seasoning! I suggest visiting with a small group of people, so you can try different items on their daily menu!
(5)Leili T.
It was an interesting experience: the hot ink pasta served right in the frying pan. But I expected something better for a $24 dish.
(3)Rachel D.
I came here recently with 2 friends and had an incredible meal, with incredible service. As others have mentioned, its a hole in the wall, tiny restaurant (think wine in plastic cups), but it kind of adds to the charm. The food: We had the caprese salad, mussels (great sauce), Putanesca black pasta (never thought in a million years I would like something with anchovy paste in it, but this is a must try), Pan Seared Tuna (so good!), and 2 bottles of wine. The total came to $145. The service: The waiter brought us calamari while we were waiting outside for a table. He gave us a wine tasting of what they had so we could pick out a bottle to drink. Immediately brought over more bread so we could dip it in the mussel sauce. Very nice and very attentive.
(5)Ellen L.
The Lobster Fradiavolo is their signature dish and it's amazing (i had it the first time i went here and I was hooked!). This restaurant is a "whole in the wall" type of a place, but the food is awesome. If you're looking for good, italian seafood, this is the place to go. Caveats: You might have to share tables No reservations-must wait in line Not an "atmosphere" place If you go into this restaurant knowing the above caveats, it's one of the best restaurants you'll encounter in Boston. The food is absolutely absolutely amazing. It's about $20 per plate here, and totally worth the money. For an appetizer, we had the calamari meatballs. We didn't know what to think when we ordered it, but it was an awesome dish, drenched in a marinara sauce. We had the homemade black noodles in alfredo, which was very unique. And we got the Clams Vongle Neopolitan in a red sauce. The sauces really make these dishes stand out.
(5)Ezra E.
Tried this place tonight when some friends from out of town said they wanted Italian food, specifically good sea food. The Yelp reviews were all great, so we went and it DEFINITELY lived up to its reputation! There is nothing fancy about this place, you will almost certainly have to wait in line for a table, and you might even have to share that table with total strangers, but it's all worth it. We had the mussels for an appetizer and they were incredible. A nice spicy broth, and large tender mussels. The broth was so good I could have eaten it with a spoon. For entrees we had a linguini with calamari in a red sauce, which was great. Large portions, perfectly cooked pasta, and melt in your mouth calamari. We also had a black linguini (made with squid ink) with calamari in a garlic-y white sauce, and a some monkfish in a sweet sauce (can't remember what it was called), both of those were incredible as well. The service was great, the food was incredible, and I will definitely recommend Daily Catch to anyone who asks!
(5)Dawen H.
Super Lobster!!!! Love it!
(4)Jenny C.
a tad expensive since it is located in tourist central, north end, but pretty eff-ing delicious, though I've only tried the pastas with various seafood and red sauce.
(5)Richard C.
I've been coming here since I was 12 years old with my family. We love this place. Yes, it is cramped, and yes, the waitress may have a little bit of an attitude...but who cares when the food is that amazing! Even with a huge menu, they will make you anything you want. One thing I will say though is that prices here have gone up over the years. My favourite meal used to be $15 and is now $23. Oh well, I'd pay $50.
(5)Eric L.
Again with the no restroom?? Boston just must not be into washing hands. with that being said, the calamari was really good. I would have gone just for that, but my fish and chips left a lot to be desired. There was not much flavor and no sauce to dip the fish in. I tried to douse it in vinegar and olive oil. My buddy got the haddock, and he said it was good. I would say it's a little pricey to have such small portions that weren't reliant on presentation. I did hear this was thee foremost Italian seafood place. the cook was obviously an old Japanese man. the waiter was nice everything else about the place was nice but I would say 3 stars maybe 4 on a better day.
(3)Neal S.
A delicious meal. The waiting line is outside so dress warm!
(4)Grace G.
the black pasta was soo yummm~~~~
(5)Chris C.
I can't believe how these guys can consistently cook their pasta to perfection. But they do.
(5)Janet E.
I love this place!!! It is a super small restaurant with no bathrooms with one chef (who you can see cooking) and one or two wait staff people who are also the dishwasher, waiter, busboy, and stockboy. Everyone has multiple duties! The chef was the one that took our order and served us the food! We love him though. He is a cute little asian man that knows how to cook the best italian food!!! We ordered the linguini with clams in clam sauce. Ohhhhhhhhhh it was so good. I wish I had some of that right now! We also got an order of calamari which was delicious! Everything was so fresh! The restaurant seats about 20 people. You wouldnt believe it though because it is so small! Be prepared to get to know your neighbor! When we went though it wasnt crowded because it was during lunch hours. The North End usually gets crowded at night so I cant imagine how busy this place gets for dinner. The Daily Catch has been around for over 20 years and there's a good reason why!!! We arrived at Logan airport, dropped off our bags at the hotel and came straight here for lunch! Thats how bad I needed my Daily Catch fix!
(5)Scott S.
My favorite place in the North End. Shrimp linguine with red sauce is my preferred dish, here. Big succulent shrimp, perfectly cooked al dente pasta, topped with a great flavorful marinara. Very simple, yet perfectly executed.
(4)Kathleen D.
The best possible fresh seafood without a rod!!! The meals are what you wish you could cook!!! Its fabulous. The staff is caring and what you would expect from a small family, you feel like you are a five star guest at their home!! Do not miss this restaurant if you love seafood......
(5)Tammy X.
I love this place! The pasta is fabulous - had the claims linguine one night and shrimp another time. The black ink pasta sounded weird but turned out really good! Be aware this place is tiny and there is almost always a line. Go on an off hour if you can - really early is recommended. But If needed, I would wait to get in
(5)Denny L.
Squid ink pasta delicious
(4)Melissa M.
I have been here twice and each time its been absolutely delish! Yes its a very small place, but dont let that fool you because this is some of the best seafood and pasta I have ever had. This time around I had the shrimp, scallop and broccoli in a white wine sauce and I finished it all! My boyfriend had the signature black pasta and that too was delicious! The waiter is very knowledgable and had great customer service. Will definitely be back here again sooner than later! Key tip is to bring cash no credit cards accepted.
(5)Rob Z.
eh.... The service is slow and sometimes rude, the parking is bad, there's not much seating so gets crowded quickly, they only except cash, and it's not extremely cheap. The only good thing I can really say is the food is good but its not amazing by any means.
(3)Louis P.
This is my favorite place for pasta. Their black pasta is definately a classic... You can't get it ANYWHERE but here... YUMMY!!! I went here with other people but they weren't too impressed with the food... I also liked their salad with calamaries as well... Only reason why I give 4 stars instead of 5 stars is b/c it's not my ideal dining atmosphere... But food wise, it's definately thumps up!!!
(4)John W.
This place was rather amazing! Run by one, quinticentially Bostonian Italian couple, this place will not only entertain you but serve you an amazing meal. I definitely would recommend any of the seafood dishes especially with the red sauce. Since there are literally like only 20 seats, I recommend going with an even number in your party, just because I could tell that the lady running the joint likes no empty seats when there are people waiting- and trust me you don't want to upset her! Anyways, you must try this place not only for the amazing seafood but lively characters!!
(4)Jennifer D.
I wanted to update, because I just couldn't understand how the reviews were so stellar. I decided to give this restaurant another try (particularly because my coworkers and I needed our Mike's Pastry fix, which is located across the street). This time, I stayed away from the squid ink pasta and ordered the shrimp, scallops, broccoli with linguine in white sauce. Wow, this dish was just what I wanted. The flavor was great and the shrimp, scallops, broccoli were all cooked perfectly (not too much, not too little). My coworkers also got the linguine with red sauce as well as the monkfish marsala. I saw my boss licking up the sauce from the marsala dish and now I really want to be sent back to Boston to try this dish: it looked amazing! I guess what you like is all based on personal preference. Maybe I'm just not a putanesca person in general, so I'm definitely glad I gave this restaurant another try. Heads up: the restaurant is a little small, so we had a 15 minute wait on a Thursday night. Also, cash only. The service was also very friendly. Overall, everyone was truly happy with the experience.
(4)M B.
I have to say that, based on prior reviews I have read about The Daily Catch, I was expecting something really great. Sadly, this wasn't the case when we went here for lunch on a Sunday afternoon. My boyfriend had read glowing reviews of this place and urged me to try it for dinner on Saturday night (even though I don't like fish, but I was willing to make a meal out of fried calamari and clams casino since he had his heart set on it). The line for dinner on Saturday was ridiculous, so we ended up going to Maurizio's down the block instead, and instead decided to try The Daily Catch for lunch on Sunday. This proved to be a wise decision. The Daily Catch was advertised as opening at noon on Sundays, so we walked from our hotel and arrived in the North End a little before 11:30. We opted to pass some time in Mike's Pastry across the street with a tea and a cappuccino. By the time a waitress came aorund to take our drink order, serve it, and then get our bill, The Daily Catch's small dining room (about 5 tables, literally) was already full and a party of 6 was waiting outside for some food. We got on line behind the family and waited for a table for two to clear out, which was maybe 20 minutes. The mother of the family in front of us told us that the place actually opened at 11:30 for lunch. Oops. Once a table cleared, the hostess/waitress came outside to get us, and we were immediately seated and given some bread. We looked up at the large blackboard on the wall and decided to go with the fried calamari, clams casino and an order of garlic bread. The waitress immediately told us that they had run out of garlic bread (how do you "run out" of garlic bread an hour after opening? Oh well, not a big deal), so we just went with the calamari and clams. I asked how big the calamari plate would be and she said that a "small" would easily feed the two of us, but as it turned out the small serving wasn't all that much. If that's all you're ordering and you plan to share, go with the large serving. The food came out quickly, especially since the kitchen/stovetop is right there next to you. You literally feel as if you're in this woman's kitchen. It was also a very friendly atmosphere, where the older waitress laughed and joked around with the chef and the busboy. She quickly refreshed our basket of bread when we asked for more (just threw two fresh pieces on top of the old crumbs and the half-used butter packets already in the basket, but not a big deal), and got us two small, cold, glass bottles of Coke and opened them for us and gave us plastic cups. As for the food itself ... honestly, I've had better. The calamari was fresh, but the pieces weren't very large and they were tasty but not phoenominal. The clams appeared to be smaller pieces of clam that were prepared and breaded, and then placed inside a clamshell for the presentation (be careful, they're VERY hot). Again, tasty, but nothing special. Now, I've read awesome reviews of The Daily Catch, so it's possible that we didn't care for it simply because we got two very basic, appetizer-style items instead of meals. I was just reluctant to go for a full meal because I don't really eat seafood and didn't want to waste $20 or so on an entree that I wouldn't finish. And again, the staff is friendly. But based on our experience alone (especially because it was such a long wait for food that we weren't really impressed with), I don't think we'd go back.
(2)Andy M.
Fresh and tasty pasta. Friendly service in a cozy atmosphere.
(4)K W.
Average Italian food. They typically have a line in front of the Hanover location that can span about an hour. They deliver the food in a saucepan. The portions are okay, but to pay twenty-two bucks for their black pasta was too much. The pasta was a bit grainy and firm. The black ink pasta in Venice is different and sooo much better. Their fried calamari was good. Overall, not worth the wait. If there isn't a line, then go for it. They do NOT have a restroom, so beware, that wait in line can result in an uncomfortable dinner after drinking water and wine. Cash only also.
(3)ka wai c.
The best dinner I had in Boston. This place is small, dim and truly not fancy at all, however the food they serve make it up for them.
(5)Bee B.
First of all, let it be said that I don't eat shellfish, so my review is limited to actual (vertebrate) fish and pasta. Let's start with the fish, my momma in law got some spiced salmon dish that was very simple, but very tasty. She said it was the best salmon she had ever had. My husband had some type of fish in marsala sauce. It was NOT GOOD, and kinda tasted like it contained maple syrup. I found this odd. I got a tuna steak. It was GOOD, but I have had better. The best part of my meal by far was the pasta puttenesca. It was olive-y, garlc-y, tomato-y, anchovy-y delicious!!! You have the option of ordering all pasta dishes with black pasta that has been dyed with squid ink. I told the waiter I wanted regular linguine, and he was very insistent that I get the black pasta. I did not. But I'll have you know it was amazing with regular pasta. Let me know if you try it with the black stuff... Lastly, if you go here, you might want to leave your coat in the car (or at home). Why Bee, is it hot in there? Well, kindof it is, because the kitchen is right in the middle of the restaurant - a nice touch. But the real reason is because as good as your meal was, the smell of garlic, oil and seafood that infuses itself into the fabric of your clothing just doesn't smell as good the next day.
(4)Jungmin L.
The Liguine and other pasta are ok, nothing fantastic. But the black pasta aglio olio is stellar: cooked to perfection, savory, chewy, full of calamari pieces and the right amount of olive oil.
(4)Josh M.
It feels like a gem, I waited in line for 40 minutes, I ordered the $75 monster plate with all the best seafood... the red sauce washed out the flavor of the seafood, and then their house wine was so budget (and probably sat out awhile) that I got an excruciating stomach ache from it. I have to go back and try something cheaper, because everyone seems to love it.
(2)John D.
Huge fan of the Daily Catch and I wish I'd gone more when I lived in Boston. I love that it's cramped inside and there isn't much seating. But the waiter that I had was terrific, and the food was great too. It's unfortunate that it is so expensive though, as that is one reason I didn't go here much. But if you can swing it, it's certainly worthwhile. This is why I give it 5 stars even though it is quite pricey.
(5)Klaus B.
Go here for the atmosphere and eat mussels as appetizer and black pasta as main dish - nothing else. Atmosphere: The North End location is definitely a charming hole-in-the-wall place, as many say. The atmosphere is special, as you can watch the cook operate and it is an experience to dine here. You practically sit in the kitchen while you're at The Daily Catch (which is the great thing about the atmosphere). You should consider that when picking your cloths, you will take the good smell with you once you leave the restaurant. You will have paper napkins and you will drink from plastic glasses which adds to the atmosphere (not necessarily to the taste of the wine, though). The cook interacts with the guests and it's all very friendly and family style. We loved it, because it is so different. Food: The food is as fresh as the name indicates. We had really good mussels as appetizers in a very good and tasty garlic white wine sauce. That was clearly the best dish we had in the restaurant out of all dishes we had. It was not creative, but very well done. Our other appetizer choices were a salad and calamari. The salad was nothing special, the calamari were way too far on the rubber side. For main courses, the best dish was the home made black pasta alio olio style. Very rich taste, very well made pasta with an extraordinary look to it. Again, not a lot of creativity in the taste of the dish, but very well made. The other pasta dishes with clams, scallops and either white or red wine sauce were disappointing. The sauces were tasteless. I dine out a lot, and I cannot remember the last time I had to add salt to the pasta sauce. You could fix them with some salt and chili to get a little kick, but they stayed boring. On one dish the pasta was undercooked (okay, rather undercooked than overcooked, but still), other than that pasta was fine but not home made. The seafood coming with the pasta was fresh and good. The amount of pasta would have satisfied 2-3 people per dish. All food is definitely as they say 'no fuss' which I clearly like, but I prefer no fuss with great taste. Drinks: The wine list is as anything else very simple, in no fuss style. We chose the regular Primitivo, which was a good table wine. Drinkable from the plastic glasses, if you leave the little wine snob in you at home. I would give a 4 star rating for the mussels and the black pasta and a 2 star rating for all the rest of the food. I would go there again for the atmosphere and since I now know what to order.
(3)Beth K.
I love how they make the pasta right in front of you and serve it in the frying pan! So good and so Boston.
(4)Eddie I.
This is a small mom & pop restaurant in Boston's North end (Hanover Street). Maybe not a place for a date, but great to hang out with a buddy or two. The Sicilian food is fresh and cooked right in front of you. The bowl of mussels is one of the best anywhere.
(4)Joyce Y.
Luckily, we went at a random time - around 3:00pm on a Saturday afternoon so there was no wait, but at any other time, I would imagine the line to be extremely long! Black pasta with garlic squid sauce was surprising and excellent! Fried calamari, very solid. The monkfish marsala was curiously sweet, but grows on you.
(4)Roy K.
Good all the way round. Worth the money and take their word on house specials and suggestions. Hard to get a seat due to the small foot print of the rest.
(5)R S.
A favorite in the North End, for piping fresh seafood dressed and served simply, but well. The fish, mussels, clams, shrimp, scallops, calamari and lobster are as fresh as can be, and served for the most part with linguine sauced in red or white: red is tomato-based, of course, an acceptable recipe, although I prefer the white, which isn't a heavy Alfredo, just a garlic and olive oil and clam sauce. I generally get mussels or clams over linguine or the marvelous homemade black pasta, but their fish is also good. But really. Don't miss the black pasta, their specialty. Portions are rather large and prices are a trifle high, in the $20 range for an entree; wine is served in plastic cups and varies. Pretty much, you order red or white. There is no dessert at the North End location, but the fabled Mike's Pastries is just across the street, so no worries. The space and service are bare bones; you'll impress a date with your savvy and sense of adventure, but it's not exactly high class all the way. The restaurant seats 20: two tables for two, a table for four, and two tables seating six, and no reservations are taken. You may end up sharing the larger tables, depending upon the composition of that night's clients, and on popular evenings you most certainly will wait for a table, which can be problematic if the weather's unpleasant, given that the wait is in the outdoors--there's absolutely no space inside not given over to the tables, and the tiny kitchen, separated only by a counter. No visible bathroom. One waiter serves all the tables; my experience has been that they are attentive and efficient, but business-like. I've not felt hurried; this really isn't the sort of place one lingers long in after polishing the plates. No dessert and no coffee, and the scene ain't built for comfort. And be warned: cash only. Thirty-three years old, a landmark devoted to fresh fish. There's also apparently a location on the Harborwalk. There was another in Brookline, now defunct. Hmmm...
(4)Athena T.
We ended up in this restaurant called the Daily Catch and it was simply put a very genuine local experience. Little Italy in Boston is truly like an Italian neighborhood (I can say that, I've been there). Brick buildings with little Mom & Pop shops less than 50 sq. ft. side by side with signs as old as the dishes that each restaurant serves in their short menus. Mike had the Putanesca (black pasta with grilled shrimp), David had the halibut special, Steven had some normal dish like shrimp scampi and I had the Anglio Olio (ground squid on black pasta with garlic & olive oil). I had everyone try my dish and mine was hands down the envy of everyone on the table, I was soooo happy with my food that I enjoyed every single bite. I'm sure by the time we left that little hole in the wall (there were only about 5 tables total) my breath smelled of garlic and our clothes of everything that was pan-seared. This place is so tiny that the kitchen was literally a part of the space. I was an arm's width away from the stove and I sat happily in my chair with a nice plastic cup of white wine devouring my new love for black ink pasta and ground calamari. I don't believe anyone who has ever visited this old restaurant walk out unsatisfied.
(5)ryan u.
I had a black pasta puttenesca here two years ago that still haunts my dreams. The place is a storefront, very small and rather warm. There are no frills whatsoever, which is fine by me because they seem to put their attention on the food. Oh Boston, how I miss you.
(5)Jonathan L.
We came here during a weekend visit to Boston, committed to eating tons of Italian and seafood that we don't really get in Arkansas. We killed two birds with one stone by going to the Daily Catch, a very small and memorable restaurant in the North End. This place holds about 6 tables or 20 people at a time which creates a cozy atmosphere and intimacy. This is enhanced by the close seating quarters to the kitchen that allows the diners to feel like they're part of the cooking process. No yelling in the kitchen, just one very focused guy with an incomprehensible ability to manage 30 tasks at once. The menu is written on a big chalk board posted high on the wall - my wife went with the often reviewed pasta aglio olio (black ink pasta with ground squid) and I ordered the the seafood fra diavolo. We also got mussels to start as well as two glasses of wine (wine served in small plastic cups but delicious). While we had to speak in quieter tones not to disturb the table next to us (afterwards we couldn't figure out if it was a bad date or a strange mom and son dinner), this didn't stop us from enjoying every moment of the meal. Overall the food was fantastic and the atmosphere unique and delightful - highly recommended and would definitely return.
(5)Anthony P.
Great food. good price. Little salty, but that's the way its supposed to be. The Ink Squid pasta is amazing. Do it up. Everything is fresh. The atmosphere is totally non-existent, but who cares. It's about the food and the quality/quantity is high. If you're too snobby to drink wine in a plastic cup, go elsewhere. It all tastes the same.
(5)Joanna S.
By far the best seafood Italian restaurant in the North End. The place is tiny but the waiters are friendly and the food is good. The "kitchen" is literally in the dining area (or the dining area is in the kitchen) so the place gets smokey from the cooking. Portions are big enough to share Try the squid ink with ground squid meat. You won't regret it.
(4)Amber P.
Went to the daily catch on Labor Day with my husband. Waited in line for ~ 20 minutes. We had pre-decided to get the Lobster for 2 dish and last minute added on the calamari as an app. The calamari was just ok- nothing special. The Lobster dish was good- lots of fresh seafood and a great flavor overall, not sure I would ever come back for it though. It was good enough, but not repeat worthy in my opinion. My husband would disagree completely with me and he thought it was the best thing we ate all week...
(3)Molly H.
Delicious! You absolutely must try the Alfredo on the black pasta, it's unforgettable. Just make sure you get there early, or be prepared to wait in a line, although it's definitely worth it.
(5)Nick B.
Yeah it's pricey (and last time I checked, they only take cash). But maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan, that is some damn fine monkfish. I'm not even sure what monkfish is, to be honest with you, but after a healthy skillet full of it smothered in garlic sauce, I wasn't asking too many questions. There's also a certain charm to a place that is so small, they make you go across the street to use the bathroom.
(5)Strawberry S.
Phenomenal seafood pasta! My husband had talked up this restaurant for years, so I had extremely high expectations and this mom and pop did not disappoint. We waited about 40 minutes (on a cold Boston night) for a table to free up while my husband kept insisting it was worth the wait. He's lucky The Daily Catch came through for him. When a table was finally available, the waiter pointed at the four of us and said "you, you, you and you...ova'there!" Yes, the waiters have a thick Boston accent that made for an authentic No'th End experience. We were greeted with clear plastic cups which to my shock (and horror) were for the wine. Soho cups and wine are usually a no-no for me, but once you put a bite in your mouth you forgive the restaurant staff and management for all their sins. So just go with it and order yourself a bottle of white and a bottle of red. We started with the fried calamari. We're talking thick, chewy, not overly-breaded calamari. The dipping sauce had a little kick-- not your typical marinara/cocktail sauce. I had trouble deciding between the traditional linguine and clams and the black squid ink linguine and clams. I chose the latter and my husband did me a favor and chose the former so we could trade off "pans". (The entree is served in the pan, straight off the burner!) I started with the black squid ink pasta, which was really good, but when we switched plates, I practically had an out-of-body experience because the traditional linguine dish was delectable! Mind you, anytime I visit an Italian restaurant or a region in Italy I have to order the "linguine alle vongole" to compare it to one remarkable rendition of a classic linguine and clam dish I had at Chez Panisse back in 2002. Over the years, none have matched up, but this one came close and plausibly surpassed Alice Water's creation (and I adore her)! It smelled and tasted of pure butter and garlic-- in a good way. The pasta was cooked al dente and the clams were de-shelled so you didn't have to waste anytime scarfing down the dish. And I scarfed it down! As an added bonus, unlike most linguine alle vongole dishes, the Daily Catch throws in fresh, grilled calamari. It really doesn't get better! My husband was sweet enough to let me finish the dish he ordered and took over the black squid ink dish. (Don't get me wrong, it was equally robust in flavor but the linguine strands were a little thick and chewy so I didn't love the texture). I finished off the entire dish and walked out of there feeling like I just reached the pinnacle of linguine alle vongole! I topped the evening with a cannoli from Mike's Pastry's across the street and went back to our hotel a happy woman!
(5)Deborah H.
For some reason, I was in a major squid ink pasta mood when I sought this place out. It's a little funny: definitely a dumpy place with very few tables, but not cheap. Not cheap at all. Amused, I watched the chef make my dish between swigs of beer and chunks of crab meat. While the flavor was very good, the noodles had been overcooked and I couldn't enjoy them. I'd be willing to try this place again, though.
(3)Steve K.
I was not too excited when we decided to eat here, but it turned out great. The place is only 7 tables, so there would normally be a wait. Ours was about 20 minutes. The food was good, even the two young kids enjoyed their pasta. Wine served in plastic cups. Prices reasonable, for the north end.
(4)Harry S.
awesome food. long wait. ordered the black pasta with grounded calamari, garlic, and olive oil. best mussels (Sicilian style) every. calamari very tasty.
(5)Maria C.
Whether the food is delicious or not, I wont judge about the taste. However, the service was soooo poor that I would never visit agian. The owner has to learn how to be nice and polite to the customers who pay to eat thier food which she earns her money from. So rude, very shame of her.. Wondering how she survived with her restaurant with this attitude .
(1)Liz M.
When I first walked by at 11 when they allegedly open, the chairs weren't even on the floor yet. I left, despairing of the whole thing, but I came back after not finding any better options down the road and was excited to see some prep work going on inside, and other people waiting who seemed to know the place. That gave me hope they'd be opening any minute - and half an hour later, they finally did! I was very excited to try the squid ink pasta, so I got an app portion of the alfredo (which was PLENTY! especially with bread and a tossed garden salad on the side) and it came very quickly. The place is tiny and cramped, and you'll probably have to share a table even at non-peak times. By the time I left, a little after noon, there was a line outside. The pasta was very good - very fresh, and with a unique flavor. I wouldn't really describe it as "fishy" or "briny," but it was very savory and good. It was absolutely SWIMMING in their delicious alfredo sauce. And yeah, it's cooked al dente - so if you think that's "undercooked" you might have a problem. But they're a proper Italian restaurant so it's what you would expect. I'd suggest that you get there when they open, but since it seems difficult to know exactly when that is, I'd say - be prepared to wait, but you'll be in and out of there quickly (they're highly motivated to turn over tables) and you won't be disappointed.
(4)Winnie L.
Too good to wait to take a picture! Omg! Delish! I thought it was weird that i had to wait outside til there was a table but when I got in there, realized how small the space was I immediately understood and didn't mind waiting. The extremely friendly staff welcomed us in and some of the freshest seafood I've had! The ink pasta was by far the best!!
(5)Lily V.
One of the best Italian seafood restaurants I have been in US. Food is fresh and cooked to perfection! Serves is outstanding! Even though it is very small restaurants, vine is served in plastic cups and wait is long it is most defiantly worth it! You get most delicious homemade like meal for reasonable price in a unique, close-knit atmosphere! Two thumbs up!!!
(5)Thoy D.
Wow! The 69.00 plate I ordered was so good and plentiful. No joke it will take 3 hungry guys to finish!! Also worth the $40 ticket for being non residence nice to park bear by!!
(5)Lisa G.
I was not impressed. It's a small neighborhood kind of restaurant, so the atmosphere I like, bit in my opinion the fried calamari was terrible. It was so rubbery I could barely chew. Since the most prevalent ingredient on the menu was squid, I expected much more. With so many yummy seafood restaurants to choose from, in Boston, don't waste your time on this one.
(2)David S.
eat there a few days ago, and i am still farting!
(1)Meredith a.
This is one of my favorite places to eat. The only thing I can tell you is that the shrimp scampi is delicious, because I love it so much, that is all I have ever ordered! My trick is to go there on off hours so I don't have to wait. I was in the North End around 11:45 one Saturday, and realized it was a perfect time to go to The Daily Catch. So I made a beeline to the cash machine next door (they are cash only, I think) then I went directly to the restaurant, do ot pass Go, do not collect $200. Victory! I was seated immediately. About 10 minutes later there was already a line. This place is really tiny, with an open kitchen. If you have to use the bathroom, they have an arrangement with the cafe accross the street, LOL. So it is very casual, you come there for the food, not the atmosphere!
(5)Kristina N.
Two friends and I dined here on a Thursday night (around 6) in May and we had a great time. There was a minimal wait for the table (all persons have to arrive in order to be seated). Our waiter was friendly. We ordered: Linguini with Shrimp & Scallops in a garlic white sauce with broccoli; Linguini with Clams & Calamari in a red sauce, and a side order of the Squid Ink Pasta with Alfredo sauce. We should have ordered the side order of the Squid Ink Pasta with the traditional Aglio Olio sauce but we ate everything! We also ordered a bottle of white wine and our waiter made a great recommendation. Happy to come back!
(4)Anna K.
I recently visited Boston for the weekend, and while sitting in a bar, a local gentleman recommended that my best friend and I visit this restaurant for the black ink puttanesca. We decided to take his word for it. All I can say is thank god we did. After coming back home, I still cannot get that meal out of my mind. My friend and I shared a portion, and they brought us a skillet right to the table with some bread. We, of course, ignore the bread and dig in to one of the best dishes we had on our trip. When we lopped it all up, we then used the bread to clean the pan, it was so good. Both her and I have been to Italy, and the pasta we had here was exceptional to what we tried abroad. This is a small, casual place with a lot of personality and authentic flavors. Do yourself a huge favor and pay them a visit.
(5)Shaun S.
Service was excellent. Food was fresh and very good we started with mussels that were cooked perfectly. I tasted my kids fish and chips, they were average nothing to spectacular about them. And on to the lobster fra diavolo as the main dish. It was absolutely excellent. It's worth the try, but next time I would like to try the black pasta.
(4)Yi H.
Highlight: the fresh squid salad We came to Boston on a double-date weekend away trip and we came here for our first lunch. It was a 45 mins wait even though we arrived at the restaurant at 2:30pm! The restaurant is cozy and small, our waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable. Overall the food was great, but what stood out was really the fresh squid salad!!!!
(4)Tina C.
There's a reason The Daily Catch in North End doesn't take reservations... they have no shortage of customers flocking to try their fresh seafood pastas in vibrant sauces/colors (red, white, and black). They go the extra mile to maximize throughput of customers, from clearing tables like the NASCAR pit crew, to squeezing a solo diner between two parties (family of 5 and a couple of ladies) in a table for eight. Arriving just before 7PM on a Thursday night, we waited ~1.5 hours to get a table for three. In a nutshell: IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT!!! We certainly got more than the daily catch at this restaurant... Appetizer: Clams Casino ($9.75 for 5 stuffed clams). Five mini-casserole-dish-like shells filled with baked clams and chopped calamari, coated with a crispy crust of herbed bread crumbs. So mouthwatering, you'll be reaching for more than one! Entree 1: Lobster Fra Diavolo ($69 feeds ~2 people). A succulent whole lobster was still sweating/steaming on top of a pile of al dente linguine in a slightly spicy, red "devil" sauce, heavily populated with clumps of lobster roe, and accompanied by an abundance of mussels, clams, shrimp, and calamari. A devilishly decadent dish served straight from the pan it was cooked in... Go BIG or go home! Entree 2: Handmade Black Pasta with Calamari ($24 for a generous portion) A bit sloppy on the presentation (clumped up, unevenly distributed pasta appeared divorced from the sauce and calamari), but still rich in flavor and texture (prime example of al dente linguine). You have a choice of red or white sauce. The white wine sauce was a good complement to the red sauce in our first entree. Expect a stronger taste of extra virgin olive oil than butter to be present in this dish. Cons: Aside from the long wait time (outside on the sidewalk, in the rain), we were slightly disturbed by the raucous coming from the kitchen. The loud clanging of pots/pans/buckets in the kitchen just a few feet from the dining area made it difficult to have a conversation without raising our voices almost to the point of yelling. We also sat so close to the kitchen counter that my friend felt sharp scraps of shell fly onto his ear/neck when the chef dismembered the lobster. Maybe it's time they put up a wall/window to shield customers from seafood shrapnel!
(4)Tara D.
Postage-stamp-sized place on a quaint street packed with restaurants. Ambience only a foodie would appreciate. As open a kitchen as you can get. None of your money is going into the decor (or even the cups or plates.) Plastic cups for wine. Most of the dishes are served on battered family-style platters or individual skillets (yes, some meals are served to you in a pan.) It's essentially a plastic and formica kind of place serving up homemade Sicilian-style Italian. The food price is $$-$$$ depending on what you order and whether you have wine (you always should!) but it's worth it. The ambiance is $. Not a first date place unless she's really low-maintenance. But it's definitely a 3rd or 4th date kind of place - a different kind of place to take someone once you've clicked. Every bit of value is in the food at this family-owned, time-stands-still kind of joint. And in the staff who cook it and serve it (every time I've been there, the service has been excellent. Not fancy, but functional and friendly.) Even though I'm a carnivore/omnivore, my favorites here are any seafood dish and the monkfish marsala (a bit sweet, but yummy.) A memorable place I find worth visiting every time I'm in Boston's North End (I live in Los Angeles.)
(5)NaDea J.
While in the Boston area, DO NOT miss this place. I beg of you. Freshest seafood you will find in Boston, hands down. In my almost 24 years of living, I have only had seafood this fresh once, and I can't even really count that because I was a few drinks in that night, thus altering my taste buds. If you are going with a bunch of people, seriously concider ordering several of the Lobster fra Diavolo. Served literally right off the stove in the skillet it was cooked in, this arrangement of lobster, shrimp, calamari, mussels, and clams on top of linguine with diavolo sauce is to die for. *IMPORTANT SIDE INFORMATION THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW* This place is cash only, really small and cramped, kind of run down, serves drinks in plastic cups, and has no bathrooms. Ironically, these limitations help,not hurt the restaurant. It reminds me, and I'm sure other patrons, that quality always trumps fancy ambience and borderline obnxious service.
(5)Monia C.
Food is amazing. Place is too small. Only fits 20 people. Squid ink is very good and shrimp scampi is my favorite.
(5)Christy K.
We arrived at 12:45pm on a Sunday to find no wait and about half the restaurant empty.I couldn't believe my eyes! We were not promptly attended to- there was only one waitress working. We were given a small table for 2 near the doorway, which was nice because we didn't have to share the large table with 2 other parties,but bad because we were slapped with a large gush of cold air every time the door opened or closed,which was quite often. About 15 min after arriving, the restaurant was filled and the notorious line out the door began. I ordered a small portion of the squid ink pasta with olive oil and garlic. It is one of the top 3 most popular dishes and apparently a must try. The dish tastes exactly as it is described. Squid ink pasta doesn't taste much different than normal pasta, it just has a different texture. It tends to be a bit thicker and chewier.The olive oil and garlic sauce complimented the pasta perfectly. Although I don't think I'll crave this dish often, I'm definitely glad I tried it. My friend ordered the fish and chips. The fish chunks are cut in squares and still include the fish skin. The portion of fries was pretty large and the tartar sauce tasted homemade. Our lunch experience was quick, delicious and filling. I don't think I'd be wiling to wait more than 30 minutes for a a seat here,but if you have the opportunity to give The Daily Catch a try, I highly recommend you take it!
(4)Alan H.
I understand that this place has a huge local following and that it comes highly recommended. My wife and I are from out town and we dined here with a party of 8. We were very excited to get the last open table available. We all split the calamari as an appetizer and all of us either had the black pasta or the monkfish as an entree. HALF of our group were sick at some point during the remainder of the evening. This includes one person (the Boston local who recommended the place) being sick within an hour after we left the restaurant. We thought the food was great while we were dining and everything seemed fine. This is why I have a hard time rating this place less than 3 stars. However I have a hard time ignoring the fact that half of our group got sick.
(2)Trey M.
This is authentic Italian at its best. The outside of the place can fool you, but do yourself a favor and walk in. Space for about 15 people, everything is cooked in a small open air kitchen practically front of you. The portions are big so you can share a dish. Their squid ink pasta with fresh calamari is off the charts and rivals the best places in Italy. If I lived in Boston I'd come here once a week. Molto benne!
(5)Brian M.
Heard a lot about this place and I'm glad I finally got a chance to try it. Overall the food was very good. Came here with my parents and my gf and we got a bunch of dishes to split. We got calamari platter which came with fried calamari, calamari salad, calamari meatball, fries, and some fried cod. We also the puttanesca and the aglio oglio style squid ink pasta, and the vinaigrette sautéed tuna. Overall the food was very good and I'd definitely come back just for that. The place itself is very small and can only fit about 24 people max. Also the place is cash only so be prepared. Tldr: good seafood, bring cash, be prepared to wait, it will be cramped
(4)Harry B.
This is the only post you need to read and it will tell you everything you'll need to know. First, do not come here for the service which probably accounts for 98% of the negative reviews of this place. Chances are you will be mostly ignored or even treated rudely before or during your meal. In fact, if you're read reviews complaining about being treated horribly here, they are more true than false and I've witnessed a number of incidents myself (all minor). If you're the least bit thick-skinned, and you don't insist on being fawned over, you will actually enjoy the semi-refreshing aspect of coming to a place where you KNOW they're not faking it. Take away message: Leave your ego in the wait line outside. Second, do not come here for the warm, comfortable decor. The place is small (seats 20 at most) and cramped. You will wait in line. If it's winter, you'll be cold outside and cold inside (unless parked at the table near the oven). You will likely sit with one or two people you've never met or at a tiny table crammed in a corner. But, oh the counterpoint: You sit only a few feet from the kitchen and the smells of garlic, fresh pasta and seafood is beyond compare. Moreover, the cramped quarters make the experience ultra friendly if you're the least bit outgoing. So this is the place to talk, have some (average to crappy) wine and just enjoy yourselves. Interestingly, they've never rushed me there, so you can take your time and eat at whatever pace you want (obviously, with the line outside, we try to move things along somewhat to give others a chance to eat too). So now, having managed your expectations as to what to expect, let's talk about the food. As I indicated in my review, I love this place. It's right up there with my favorite Italian restaurants anywhere and I've been all over the US and Italy (and elsewhere). So why only 4 stars? Hard to say. Mostly, I want to properly manage the expectations of those who do read this review. Anyway, about the food: Don't expect unique, just delicious. The pasta is tremendous and perfectly cooked. The white sauces are crammed with garlic. The fish is exceptional too - fresh and perfectly prepared. I always get the same thing. Broiled haddock with a side of pasta with red sauce (more like true Italian "gravy") and a perfect complement to the haddock. In cooking the fish, the chef first pan sears the fillet and then lightly breads it and finishes it under the broiler. Simple and perfect. Also and perhaps something many overlook, everything is served to you in the pan meaning it's hot, fresh, and it stays that way for the entire meal - better yet, you can dunk the Italian bread (mediocre but authentic) in your pan to soak up the garlic and oil which is nothing short of food heaven. So bring your appetite and bring some money because at The Daily Catch they don't take kindly to you or anyone for that matter, and they don't take American Express...or Visa...or MasterCard...or any plastic. IT'S CASH ONLY. ENJOY.
(4)Nancy C.
Somehow, this place isn't quite as good the second time around. It was so magical the first time, but the second time, not as much. We went for lunch, and thankfully there was no wait. We got fried calamari to split as an app. We weren't too pleased that we had to pay extra for marinara. I hadn't had calamari before, and this was decent (but I also had nothing to compare it to). I don't know; not really a fan of friend foods, so I didn't like it that much, but it was good to try. We got the Aglio Olio squid ink pasta again. This time, splitting it between two people was a little bit too much. Way too salty and a little too oily for my taste. Definitely had a salt migraine for hours afterward. Next time, I guess I'll stick with the calamari meatballs and maybe try another pasta dish.
(3)Arpita G.
Its good. Not amazing or the best. Also the fact that you have to always be in queue to eat there on the weekends can get a little annoying. The service isnt that great. They really don't acknowledge you if you are waiting out. Overall I would say if you can get a seat go for it. Its good for one time.
(3)Jan W.
Expected a long line and was pleasantly surprised to only have one group ahead of us. Tiny restaurant (5 tables?) , but the chef and crew work hard to keep the food coming and the patrons happy. We had the House Specialty- Black Squid Ink pasta and the Spaghetti with White Clam sauce. Both were excellent, although I thought the Squid Ink pasta could have been cooked a minute longer. There were lots of whole clams (not from a can) and the wine sauce was very tasty! In addition, we started with the small fried Calamari which was generous sized, and a green salad. We were there for approx 45 minutes and didn't feel rushed. Short but varied wine list Will definitely be back.
(4)Ornob M.
Unpleasant experience. Under-cooked pasta , bitter clams and rude behavior. Quality and taste of sauces are average. Nothing exceptional at all.
(1)KL H.
Came here at 5 pm on Tuesday. No wait. Ordered their Aglio Olio with black pasta. Heavenly! You've got to order this.
(5)Ibby S.
I'm no stranger to long waits at popular restaurants that don't take reservations, but the "service" we got here was utterly unacceptable. We showed up during a pretty slow period when there were only a few people ahead of us in line. Poked our heads in and were promptly yelled at to get in line. So we wait and watch a fairly large party and another table of two leave. Takes them about 15 minutes to bus the tables but w/e, they're busy...so we keep waiting. By this point, there is only one party ahead of us so we assumed that they'd get the bigger table and we would be seated at the table for two. Here's where it gets ridiculous. Just as they were clearing off the tables, the daughter of the rude hostess/server shows up with her bf, and plants herself down at the newly freed table - just walked in and flagrantly cut in front of the line of people waiting outside! Of course, the server also took the spoiled daughter's order before attending to the other party that had gotten there at least half an hour before them. No matter how good the food is, there's no excuse for flagrantly rude and unacceptable behaviour like that from any restaurant. If you're going to give preferential treatment to some customers, you could at least be more discreet about it!
(1)Jingshu C.
I really don't like the lobster. It's Sooo overcooked and the sauce is boring. More important is the noise made from the dishes washing guy. I don't understand why it's so popular.
(1)Bethany F.
A friend studying in Boston recommended us to this restaurant. We often see long lines outside therefore we decided to give the place a try. To our disappointment the waiter was extremely rude. When we entered the restaurant he did not greet us. He smiled to the guest after us offered them bread and water. The menu was slightly confusing because most of the items contained seafood ( which I'm not keen on eating) I wanted to ask him for help but he simply said ' You have to wait be patient' I did not understand how the waiter could be nice to other people and be so rude to us. It made me so mad that I had to leave the restaurant and tell him 'We're not eating here because I think you're rude' and he said ' beautiful' in the most sarcastic way. As an asian I definitely did not feel welcomed here at all. I know there are so many good reviews for this place but i personally felt : I don't care how good the food is, if the waiter makes me feel unwelcomed I am not eating here.
(1)Brad P.
Eh. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing but I don't think I'll be coming back here anytime soon. Ate the calamari here while waiting for Neptune Oyster, and was surprisingly disappointed. The flavor was bland and really nothing special. The fries were awful too - like straight up costo freezer section fries. But I liked what they had going on here - the one chef, one waiter, small business hole in the wall feel. But the food is nothing spectacular. But in all honesty, I wished I didn't go here and just ate more food down at Neptunes. Food is just as expensive as Neptunes ($20+ for very below average calamari) and it just isn't worth it.
(3)Cheryl C.
A cute little place, very tiny! One dining room with not more than 5-7 tables. Everything is made to order, no pre-made pasta hanging in the pan that is just warmed up, BUT cooked to order! You can actually see the chef preparing all the dishes, it is an open kitchen. The squid ink linguine was served in the pan where it was cooked! The raw cherry stones were super fresh, the busboy opened them right before the waitress brought them to my table. They were plump and juicy,really clean with no sand at all. The Sicilian style muscles were ok, nothing special. The garden salad had to much balsamic vinegar and therefore very salty.
(4)Jun G.
It was such a good experience. Love the black pasta, so special! But the space is kind of small, may need to wait outside.
(5)Joy Xu L.
It is tiny restaurant, only 20 seats. The open kitchen is an entertainment. You can see the whole cooking process The food is not bad, but it doesn't worth to wait more than 30 minutes. A place for tourists, not for local.
(3)John N.
Good food. We got the lobster fra diavolo after a thirty minute wait. Tiny seating area and the dish was a bit pricey. Three stars for the twenty minute argument that went on back and forth between the cook and the waiter. I kid you not: Why did you say red sauce? I didn't say red sauce I said white sauce. No you didn't. You said red sauce! Why are you yelling? Because you said red sauce! Why are you yelling? Because you yelled at me first! No I didn't! Yes you did! Repeat this twenty times and the meal became really uncomfortable...
(3)Veronica H.
A friend from out of town suggested this place. Reading the other reviews, I was a bit nervous about visiting The Daily Catch. My husband and I have not been impressed with our North End experiences and we're not ones to wait in long lines for food unless we know its worth it. That being said, we went on a Monday night and arrived before 5:30. There was a line, but just a group of 3 ahead of us. The one waiter manages the line and seats people. He offered us 3 seats at a table for 8, with other guests on either side, or he said he had another table leaving soon if we wanted to wait. We chose to wait to have our own table. We got the black pasta Alfredo, mussels in red sauce, scallops and linguine in white sauce, and fish and chips. The clear winner was the black pasta. The Alfredo was very rich, but the noodles were fantastic and clearly homemade! The scallops and mussels were also delicious, though the white sauce got a bit too garlic-y/butter-y/salty at the end. My husband and I will likely return here, as long as it's early on a week night. Bonus: Mike's pastry is across the street, so this is a 2-for-1 for out of town guests!
(5)Dongying S.
My friend and I ordered the lobster fra diavolo. Material was fresh, flavor was balanced, price was definitely on the more expensive side, but both of us really enjoyed it very much! Plus, we almost became minor celebrities, as we were seated next to the window, and a lot of people stopped and were amazed that two little Asian ladies could finish such a largr dish!
(5)Abhi R.
We visited the Daily Catch during a recent visit to Boston. Service : Given that it is a small restaurant ( 20 covers) .. Service was as you would expect - attentive and quick Food : We had - Calamari Platter - Putanesca - Shrimp Linguine in White Sauce Putanesca was best of the lot. The first Calamari Platter served to us had a piece of Hair in it ... ewwww . It was promptly replaced the moment we brought it to our hostess's attention. Only good thing on the platter is the Calamari Salad. Rest items are strictly OK. They are Cash Only.. so make sure you have Cash in hand ..else you will need to make a run for the ATM down the street. 2 stars for the food and 1 for the service .. sadly it did nothing special to stand out for me.
(3)Kenny C.
Recommend: Monkfish Marsala on a bed of pasta - creamy, buttery, and excellent marsala taste. Will definitely order this again. Calamari - like everyone else said, delicious, crispy, tender. I wished they served this with some kind of sauce though. Not a fan: Squid Ink Pasta - the ground meat with garlic had excellent flavor, but the consistency and hardness of the noodle threw me off. It was too... tough. There was too much chew to it. This place was TINY and the wait is always long. However, the service was fast and the food is delivered quickly.
(4)Season L.
I come here because my friend's recommendation. She recommends me to try black noddle. Actually, I have never tried black noddle before because I think black noddle is not a delicious food. After I try black noodle, I need to say It's SUPER DELICIOUS!
(5)Urszula O.
I was expecting big restaurant.... I was surprised how small it is. We ordered lobster for 2 and it was delicious!
(5)Douglas H.
Amazing, best seafood dishes I have had in Boston. Bring cash, cash only, and some patience or good timing, because the place seats maybe 15-20 max! The squid ink pasta is my recommendation, but all of our dishes were perfection.
(5)Nicole T.
they probably are a 2-3 stars max but i am giving them 1 star to moderate the ridiculously positive reviews they have on yelp. we were completely underwhelmed by the food here. we ordered the scampi as an appetizer, a squid ink pasta with garlic and squid, and a putanesca squid ink pasta. the scampi was okay but the squid ink pastas were absolutely disappointing being the star dish of the restaurant. the pastas were underseasoned, lacked flavour and completely did not justify the rave reviews we have seen on yelp. for the $24 pricetag on each squid ink pasta, the flavours completely did not hit the mark and i've had countless other seafood pastas with more flavour for better value. for tourists considering a trip here, don't bother. we were severely disappointed that this was our last meal in boston :(
(1)Thien B.
Pros: Black/squid ink pasta is good, you have the option of having your pasta straight from the pan, small casual ambience, fried calamari is spot on Cons: Very long wait, a bit pricy, limited seating so big parties will feel cramped
(4)Coco H.
The black pasta aglio something is great. Loved the atmosphere and nice small place. Food is fresh and good
(5)James W.
Legitimately the best meal we had while in Boston in regards to authenticity and presentation. Worth every penny. Didn't have to wait bc apparently some people named Mayweather and Pacquiao were fighting.
(5)O. A.
We waited out in the cold in line for over an hour, but let me tell you, it was worth every second of it. The food here is so delicious, I've never had anything like it before. This place is CASH ONLY so go to the bank before coming.
(4)Joseph F.
Top notch. Small, perhaps 6 or 8 tables. Superb seafood. Wine. Cash only. Worth the wait. Delicious.
(5)Jeff F.
Finally came in here after having the Daily Catch on my shortlist for 5+ years. 3 star food, 4 star atmosphere (tiny, sub-8-table restaurant with as open a kitchen as I've seen was memorable.) Rounded down because although I thought Daily Catch was ok, I don't think I would come back. Rundown on the food: - Frutti di mare ok - Calamari good, but there's a lot better out there - Squid ink pasta was interesting
(3)Sean N.
Holy crap is this place good. This place is a must-visit in the North End of Boston for some of the best and freshest seafood around. The location itself is a dinky little place. The front windows were cracked when I went and I immediately had a sinking sensation in my stomach when I first saw the location. The small space is lined with long picnic tables and has very little in terms of decor. I was definitely suspicious. However, the food changed all of that. There is generally one waiter working the tables and a couple cooks in the kitchen. The entire restaurant is an open plan design so you can see the chefs preparing everyone's food in the back, which is actually pretty cool. My friends and I ordered a couple appetizers, and as soon as they hit the table we were in love. The preparation of the food leaves something to be desired, but the flavor is out of this world. For my entree I ordered the squid ink pasta in the aglio olio style. While aglio olio is pretty standard fare, the Daily Catch aglio olio is an entirely different beast. The pasta itself was an unusual but very welcome texture, albeit a hideous color. The flavor of the pasta alone, however, was amazing. The unique quality of the pasta and the great blend of flavors from the sauce made for an amazing meal. Unfortunately, this place, given its small size, does not offer reservations. The staff is friendly but nothing to rave about. If you head over a bit earlier, you'll almost certainly get a table, but the wait for this place gets very long very fast. If you are in the mood for good seafood, you need to check out the Daily Catch.
(5)Adam W.
I'm embarrassed that in the 14 years I've lived here and have been coming here, I have yet to complete a review of The Daily Catch. There's something magical about the North End location. The food tastes so much better. Perhaps its the really cozy accommodations, and the fact that you feel like you are eating in the kitchen. Or when you are served a pasta dish straight from the pan it seems that much more fresh. Or the authentically italian/bostonian accented service, which will give you a proper yelling at if you are crowding the front door, while waiting in line. Our favorite is the Black (Squid Ink) Pasta. It's always perfectly cooked al dente, and coupled with the ground up squid is just a nice combination of texture and flavor. Our other favorite which we usually need at least a 3rd or 4th person for, is the Lobster/Seafood Fra Diavlo, although the prices of this dish seem to keep creeping up. (When I first moved here, this dish was less than $60) When last i checked I think it was up to $74, which if you haven't had it yet, you still need to try it. It's a messy, spicy, briney, tomatoey, and most importantly seafoody extravaganza!
(5)Courtney S.
Came here for lunch while some friends were visiting me. She saw it on Andrew Zimmerman, so here we are. Very small as soon as you walk in...maybe 6-7 tables. You can see right into the kitchen which was kind of interesting. The customer service lacks a bit and their menu doesn't really look appetizing. Don't come here expecting regular (ok, regular that America is used to) Italian food. They have zero beef or chicken dishes. All seafood. Even their meatballs are calamari. We ordered those because they sounded interesting and we only ate one. The bread was just ok. I ordered the fettuccine with shrimp. It was ok, but definitely wasn't oh my God amazing. Friends got mussels and thought they were good. The mussels pasta with red sauce was ok. Overall it was nice to say we came, but I would not come back here or even take other visitors here.
(3)Olivia W.
This place was great. From the intimate setting to the Chef and waitress bickering which was adorable, this place was worth a stop. A nice off the beaten path restaurant with amazing seafood.
(4)Eileen K.
This was my most interesting meal in Boston. the reviews about the black squid ink pasta intrigued my friend and i enough for us to wait the 1.5 hours to try it. The restaurant is TINY. only a few tables with 1 server and 1 cook. i felt bad staring into the window wishing in my head for everyone to hurry up, but well, thats what ended up happening. oops. If you are more than a party of 2, be prepared to wait at least 1.5-2 hours for a table. What we got: -Fried calamari: delicious. but nothing special. hot, crispy, chewy. -Squid Ink Pasta Aglio Olio: soo interesting. At first i thought the sauce was the squid ink, and so i was a little relieved to see that it was the actual pasta that was infused with the ink. it was a good tasty oily pasta. garlic-y but not too overpowering. very chewy. it looks really interesting when captured in a photograph too. all in all, it was a very interesting meal and i was glad we waited for it. especially when there is Mike's Pastry right across the street.
(4)Mel B.
Please save your money for a better Italian restaurant. This is just another overrated place in the north end. To be fair, we ordered the squid ink pasta and the vongole. And the squid ink pasta was great and the seafood in it was fresh. But the vongole was so salty, we left the dish half uneaten. The worst thing about the place was the service. The waiter yelled at us when we asked him about a menu option. He was not only rude to us but the other guests as well. There was a single party guest sitting by herself and he used her table as his work desk. He poured wine on her table for other other people. Overall just a disappointing experience.
(2)Keith C.
Came here on a friend's recommendation and was very happy with the squid ink pasta! Got the full sized one with diced squid and garlic and had more than enough to eat! Noodles were thick (and black colored) and pretty tasty. The service was great once we sat down, but when we were confused and trying to see how long the wait was we got a couple curt responses from the waitress. Also... Cash only, so bring at least a couple 20's
(4)Rebecca R.
Sabastian is the best!!! Love this place so worth the wait! I highly recommend ordering the appetizer size of many items The squid ink pasta is out of this world good! wine in a paper cup? who cares! bring cash and be prepared to wait...trust me..oh so good!!!!
(5)Andrew N.
Excellent squid ink pasta with monk fish. The steamed clam Italian style is really good too!
(4)Marissa R.
North End, Boston - "Little Italy' - Bakeries, Restaurants, groceries, pubs... more time here would have been nice. Just as most of the other YELP reviews mention It is Mmmm....... de-li-cous!!! There was a line outside the door, we waited outside for about 45 minutes because it is too small to wait inside. But I could tell it was going to be worth the wait!!! These guys are 'working it' pros!!! They are great to watch. The kitchen & dining area is visible from the street. We could see everything and it was obvious from the look of the food on the plates and the rhythm of the staff we were in for a treat. It's beautiful to bear witness to people do their thing and doing it well!!! Great service, friendly waiter and chef making people happy. My son & I shared a house salad we thoroughly enjoyed, then we shared the fried calamari which was perfectly done and tasty! I had the black pasta (al dente made in house), Aglio Olio with ground squid sautéed with garlic and olive oil, and the baked haddock & two glasses of Pinot Noir. My son had the steamed mussels with Marinara and linguini which was served in the sauté pan... There is no way you can eat it all. Be prepared to take leftovers. We are having ours for breakfast! If you are lucky to get a seat by the chef, you get to see him in action. It's a tiny joint! You may have to share a table with a stranger but that makes for an interesting night out! This place is CASH ONLY!!! There are several ATM machines in the area.
(5)Vera H.
A friend told me about the Aglio Olio black pasta so I had to go try it. It was absolutely delicious and I wish I could take a trip back to Boston right now to get more! When we were there, it was during off hours so no one else was around. It's a small space and it can probably get really crowded. Luckily we had it all to ourselves. The people there are also very friendly!
(5)Rebecca Y.
They have the best fried calamari I have ever had. Fresh and crunchy but not much flour and oil.
(4)Carine V.
Excellent seafood restaurant in Boston! You should definitely try it even if, from outside, it's not much to look at. I had the linguine with clams and calamari in the white sauce (garlic, oil, flat-leaf parsley,...) and my boyfriend had the scallops linguine with the white sauce too. Both dishes were delicious and served in the pan they had been cooked in, which was really fun! The waitress was very helpful even if she was really busy. We went there on a Sunday evening right before 6pm, which was a good time since we didn't have to wait before being seated. People were lining up when we left the restaurant which can barely sit 20 people. Ps : cash only
(5)Geri V.
Everything was made fresh to order! The boo and I ordered cherry stones on the half.. Fresh, sweet..juicy..salty.. Perfect! We also got the fried calamari.. I'm a sucka for those... Fried perfectly.. Squid ink pasta with ground squid... Wow.. Garlicky.. Just yummy! Yes this place is tiny and cash only! Worth with!
(4)Geneva C.
This spot is beyond good, its amazing im telling you now go a little earlier if not you will be on line.My fiancé and sister went there and fell in love with the freshness of everything th
(5)Juan F.
Came with some of my friends because one of them recommended it and kept raving how bomb the pasta is. As soon as I walked in, I didn't expect the restaurant to be so TINY! 3 people working here: The chef, the host, the dishwasher. All working in a tiny ass space. Lets see...the place can probably sit about 16 people max? Luckily when we went there was no line but when we left there was! Let me say that if you are in line, it is definitely worth the wait! We ordered: Large Fried Calamari: Probably one of the best fried calamari I've ever had. Yes, it is pricey, but it is worth it. It is really fresh and fried to perfection. The batter is light yet crispy. Would definitely order again. Clams Casino: 5 decently sized clams. Very fresh. Could really taste the big chunks of clam even though it was mixed with other ingredients. Really good. Calamari Pasta: Linguine pasta served with marinara sauce and plenty of delicious calamari. Really good. The calamari is super tender and the pasta and sauce and really yummy. Aglio Olio Black Pasta: My Favorite! Ground squid sauteed with garlic and oil and tossed with squid ink pasta. Really garlicky and flavorful. Squid ink pasta was really nice and chewy. First time having it and I loved it. Alfredo Black Pasta: Squid ink pasta cooked in Alfredo sauce. Really rich, creamy, and cheesy. One of the best Italian restaurants I've eaten in. Definitely raised the bar for everyone else! I must come back haha. 5 Stars without a doubt. Also, service is excellent and friendly. The food might take a some time go get to the table since there is only one chef, but trust me, its worth the wait! I've tried Giacomo's as well and I would prefer coming here. Similar food but the wait is not as long!
(5)Dvora C.
It's hard to beat our Italian food in the San Francisco Bay Area. Unfortunately, Daily Catch couldn't beat it. I would give this restaurant a B at the highest. The price was steep also. Additionally, it was A very on authentic cultural experience. Don't know where the Italian was in this restaurant except for the pasta sauce.
(3)Mike R.
There are plenty of reviews that back up the fact that this place has good food. That kind of goes without saying. I first came here back in the early 90's and I don't think anything has changed. The food is fantastic. I'd like to take a moment and set expectations for people. You will wait a long time to be seated. The place is tiny and has 20 seats. It's common to wait 90 minutes to be seated. If you are a fragile, timid person this place probably isn't the place for you. They aren't going to ask you how your day went and take five minutes to engage in chit chat. They are going to expect you to order promptly. If you ever saw Seinfeld's soup nazi episode, this place has the same general attitude. If that doesn't appeal to you, maybe you should go to the Cheesecake Factory. They will hold your hand and give you the level of customer service that you have come to expect. On the other hand, if you can man up and put your big boy pants on, this place will deliver wonderful Italian American seafood.
(5)Goretti C.
I came to Boston looking for quality seafood restaurants and thought I found that in The Daily Catch. I was pretty excited to try their food but I didn't even have the chance to do so. The waiter there was incredibly rude to me and my family. As my brother and I waited for our parents to join us, we were told by the waiter to stand outside until the rest of our party arrived. However, seeing as the temperature was in the 90's that day, I asked the waiter if I could just sit down first and have a glass of water since there were two empty tables available. The waiter had a fit and said he couldn't do that until everyone was there to be seated. As I tried to explain the situation to him, he started yelling at my brother and I and said "You can go somewhere else. I don't care. DO WHAT YOU WANT." I have never been treated like that at any other restaurant and I would never recommend this place to anyone visiting Boston. This review doesn't even warrant one star from me.
(1)Stefan B.
Eh... North End always disappoints me.... I think the people here are just dumb. This place is as Italian as I am. (I'm Asian.) I feel like this is all more American style food than anything... in LA they have restaurants owned by actual Italians from Italy and the food tastes so much different. The only thing that was different was the pan seared swordfish with this amazing sauce but the Lobster Fra whatever the fuck dish was just okay and the squid ink pasta was meh. I've had much better squid ink pasta in LA and LA isn't even "omg an Italian city" or whatever. Boston is white people. Deal with it. The only thing I like about North End is Mike's Pastry. This place is acclaimed so I thought I would have some mindblowing Italian food but I was just like meh meh meh. Take a flight and go to All'Angolo in LA and tell me how much better it is. The cook was a fucking Chinese guy. Umm. Lol. I don't get it. Maybe in previous generations this place was authentic Italian when they were fresh off the boat but to me it all tastes like American food.
(3)Farrah A.
The food was great (except for the calamari meatballs) but everything was very oily. So if you are looking for something light, look elsewhere. Also the ambiance is horrible. The place is so small and you constantly hear the annoying and loud sounds of pots, pans, and plates.
(3)Amy V.
I came here on a lunch date two weeks ago and I am still thinking about the food I ate here (eclipsing any memory of my actual date). I used to live in the North End but hadn't been wowed by a majority if the restaurants there. There is always a long line outside the Daily Catch but, when I passed it this time, it was just about to open with a very short line so I wanted to try it. We ordered the appetizer size of the calamari, black pasta in Alfredo sauce, and aglio olio (black pasta with ground squid in an olive oil and garlic sauce). The black pasta is made there and just incredible (fantastic consistency). The calamari didn't come with a dipping sauce but was so good it really didn't need one. Everything was very fresh! The entree size of the black pasta dishes are huge and served in the pans they are cooked in but the appetizer size is the size of a regular meal. The place is very small. You eat right where the food is cooked so you can see all the dishes being prepared. The utensils and dish don't match and no real effort has been made decoration wise. But you're coming for the food. I had never been a big fan of pasta dishes but I will definitely be back for the aglio olio next time I am in the area.
(5)Oleksandra N.
So we've been waiting for the table for 2 hrs under the pouring rain (ok, that was our choice) Once we were seated, we've noticed that next table customers tried to get waiter's attention like three times. The girl next table was staring at her bread like there was something in there that wasn't supposed to be there. After fourth request the waiter (busboy?) finally came to their table. The girl gave him her bread plate and told there was a worm in her bread. The following conversation between them: Waiter: "Is THAT what you wanted to tell me?!" Girl: "Well, yes..." Waiter*yelling at her* "WELL THANKS FOR TELLING ME THAAAAT!" One "small" detail: the girl was Asian and the waiter/busboy was squinting while yelling at her... He took that plate and threw it on the table next to chef, told him there was a worm. The chef barely looked at it , threw it into trash can and just started laughing out loud. Those customers decided to stay, but we left immediately, didn't even try the food.. Would not recommend this place. Not with that kind of service.
(1)C. R.
I was out of town on business and on the last day my group and i decided to try this spot. I do not understand how this place has 4 stars. Reading the reviews I was exited to dine here. However, I found that the service was AWFUL (to say the least), our server was extremely rude, and the food was bland and highly overpriced. When my group walked in the cook (who was leaning on the counter), and the server just starred at us....no hello, how are you..etc. we were told to sit where another group was sitting (so we shared a table) instead of getting our own table. I am sure we did not get our own table because the staff was sitting where a free table was...go figure. I don't mind paying for great food, but I was sadly disappointed after dining at this small restaurant. if you plan on dining in, be ready to sit on top of each other because it is SUPER small. you pay $15 for pasta and sauce (no meat), but when you ask for water you are given a white Dixie cup...really????? I have had better pasta at Olive Garden..
(1)Ryan S.
The food here is average. The staff, remained friendly despite being busy. I would recommend the shrimp over linguine with white sauce. All the dishes could use more flavor, but with added salt and crushed pepper they improve drastically. The restaurant is small and crowed, which either adds to or takes away from the experience depending on your view. The food itself is over priced, but for seafood in the city it's a fair price. PS no credit or debit cards accepted; cash only
(3)Ian S.
It's okay, but maybe not worth the long wait. Food was good (I had linguine with scallops in a red sauce)--not mind-blowing. This is no-frills dining: the restaurant is the definition of a hole in the wall (in my memory it seats approximately 10 people at a time) and our food was served in the pans in which it had been cooked. To be clear, I have nothing against this type of dining experience if the food is good enough to warrant it, but I don't think it's good enough here to justify the inconveniences. Go to Giacomo's instead. The logistics of eating there are just as complicated, but at least you'll get truly superb food.
(2)Henry Y.
I think people are missing the point of this restaurant. It's divey. It's rugged, even abrasive at times. The people running in this restaurant and the people working in this restaurant make no pretense to fine dining or impeccable service. It's meant to embody raw, New England, and perhaps more specifically Bostonian, 'charm.' There's one chef, one waitress, and one busboy. The kitchen/restaurant is cramped, and a bit smokey at times. There's fumes galore but the food is absolutely delicious. I walked in not expecting good service and was pleasantly surprised. Who knew that if you treated someone nicely, they'd treat you back nicely as well? I didn't greet the waitress with any smugness whatsoever and just tried to be as nice as I could to her, and she responded in kind. My gf and I shared the Lobster Fra Diavolo and it was absolutely out of this world amazing. It's pricey, but it's definitely worth the money you're shelling out. There's about 5 different kinds of seafood in that dish and it's just exploding with flavor. I came here following a recommendation from a friend who's been in Boston for the past three years and was not disappointed at all. The wait's not long if you show up first thing at 11:45 when it opens (despite it saying 11am on the website).
(4)Zach Z.
Ok, so here's what you need to know about the Daily Catch: 1) it's tiny and there's no reservations. It's going to be full when you get there, so dress ready to stand outside for a bit. 2) they're cash only. Seriously. I mean it's 2015... But there is a Citizens ATM 2 doors down if you need it. 3) the dining experience isn't super fancy, so if you're going on a date and you're looking for somewhere quiet and romantic, go somewhere else. 4) as the place is tiny, and always packed, don't eat here if you're in a rush. All of that said, this place is amazing. The food it OUT OF THIS WORLD! My wife and I split the Lobster Fra Diavolo and it was one of my top 3 seafood dishes I've eaten in my entire life. Lobster, calamari, clams, mussels, shrimp, all in a spicy red sauce with some of the most tender pasta I've ever tasted. The chef "Mike" is a genius, plain and simple. If you like seafood, eat here. You have been doing yourself a disservice by not eating here yet.
(5)Cindy H.
Worth the wait. The food is fresh and scrumptious, and served on a pan - absolutely awesome! The portions are fairly large, I got the rest to go and had my lunch for the next day all set. The place is teeny tiny, but who cares, it's all about the food. If you live in Boston and haven't been here, what are you waiting for?
(4)Sandra Q.
The food was delicious!! Place is small but liked the whole vibe and expected to be small since it is Boston and most of the restaurants we visited were similar. Ordered the shrimp linguine white and black Alfredo pasta. My husband was practically licking the plate! We didn't wait but wouldn't mind waiting if we go back next time we are in Boston!
(5)Ally G.
Living in the North End, this is my favorite restaurant. Prepare to sit close and share conversations with those rubbing shoulders with you. The black squid ink pasta with aglio olio was unreal! Easily the best pasta in the North End. Have fun!
(5)Eric L.
The wait for daily catch is no joke, we were standing in line for about 90 minutes. The restaurant seats about 18 people so as soon as someone leaves they will seat groups that fit in their snug seating arrangement.If you can make it in the dining area and kitchen in the same cozy room so you can watch the chef cook. We got the lobster diavolo and the aglio olio. The lobster diavolo was great with a large variety of seafood including clams, oysters, shrimp, squid and of course lobster). The sauce was a very fresh and light garlicky tomato sauce with a bit of heat in it. The noodles were your standard linguini-ish dried pasta cooked al dente. The seafood was all perfectly cooked and nicely complemented by the light sauce. Very delicious. The aglio olio included homemade black pasta with sautéed ground squid and garlic. This dish had a savory combination of the salty seafood and garlic to compliment the homemade pasta. Great experience, come with good company other wise the wait will suck.
(5)Jung C.
I don't know why this place is rated 4 stars but here is my review. This place is small to tiny 50 square feet. I tried the calmari and black octopus pasta... calmari was oily as hell and octopus pasta had no taste at all... I waited 1.5h and gave a 1 star for the waiting thrill and a other for the service 1 star service.
(2)Lucian O.
Great food, but everything else sub par (and overall experience not worth the prices). Long wait (1 hr) outside (37F/3C the evening I dined there), plastic glasses for your wine, eat directly off the cooking pan, one hard-working guy in the kitchen and one other guy doing everything else. Go there only for the food, expect nothing else, bring enough cash, and you will leave happy. Otherwise, expect some disappointments.
(3)Margarita Y.
Awesome place went there with my girlfriends. The squid pasta was delicious, the monkfish was excellent, we had the calamary first and the sauce wow was yummy. You can definetely tell is homemade. The lobster fra Diablo was yummy but little too spicy for my taste. You can tell the seafood is fresh and the stuff were super nice.
(5)Shili X.
This is a place that no matter how good the food is, you do not want to come back. WAITE FOR 2 HOURS IN A RAINING DAY. A party of 2, the place have a empty table for half an hour and the waiter (or owner) ignore us anyway.
(1)Siyi Z.
A hole-in-the-wall place with amazing pasta. You will really enjoy the food here if you like garlic. I usually order Linguine with scallops in white wine sauce. The scallops are bountiful and taste very fresh. Their signature black ink pasta is pretty good too, but I find the noodles too thick and chewy. I have been here many times and the wait is usually not bad at all for small parties. Service is just so-so but the food definitely makes up for it!
(4)Roslynn R.
Stopped by here for lunch during a 10 hour layover in Boston. I came with 2 other people and were lucky enough to be just 2nd in line before the lunch rush - beware that this is a tiny restaurant and large groups would not be advisable... our wait took a little longer than expected as a group of 10 or so took up practically half the restaurant. With that said, not bad! The Lobster Fra Diavlo was enormous, and it was a handsome plating to boot. We also ordered a small plate of calamari as appetizer and it was cooked to perfection - not too chewy or rubbery with just the right amount of crispies and flavor. Def recommend going to Mike's pastry across the street for a little somethin after this meal.
(3)Sam S.
Willing to wait?! For a VERY long time?! The fresh seafood is very good, but the place is tiny. No reservations. Stand in line, in any weather (choose summer...), and simply wait patiently. If you do wait for a table, order the scrumptious house special, black squid ink pasta with chopped calamari and olive oil. (The calamari meatballs are good but not great.) The menu changes daily. The service is iffy (most stressful waiter job in Boston?) but if you are appreciative, it may improve. (I know...yikes...but the food is worth it.) For the price, some of the best casual dining in the entire town.
(4)Ruby X.
Small place with delicious food! But you need to be there early to wait in line. Don't expect good service since they are super busy and you can only order one round. Great place to eat if you don't care about the service.
(4)Ross L.
One of the better restaurants in the North End but be ready for a heavy dose of garlic! It is a very small place (roughly 20 seats) and there is an open kitchen so you can see your food being prepared. At one point during the meal the chef filled up an entire blender with garlic and pureed it....and the food definitely reflects that! I really liked the pasta but would steer clear the swordfish dish. There is always a long wait but I would definitely go here over their seaport location.
(4)Jason P.
After hearing so much about this "little" place, I decided to give it a try. To start with be prepared for a wait, because it only seats 20 people at a time. If you can eat desert first, leave a friend in line, and then run across the street and treat yourself to some wonderful pastries from Mike's, bring them back and eat them while waiting in line. The atmosphere inside was a lot of fun, we ended up sharing a table with some other people and instead of letting the close quarters be awkward we just joked around and had fun. The best part was eating the owner recommended the soft shell crab linguini, which just came into season, so I bit on it and ordered. The fried calamari came out first and was good, but nothing I got salivating over. When the crab came out, I almost wet myself with excitement. The presentation was epic, the worst part was that my phone died so I could not take a picture. After tearing it apart, and sharing with some of the new comers at our table, everyone else ordered it as well. Everyone else seemed to love their dishes as much as I did. Finally the owner was cool enough to take my dead phone back and charge it while I ate. Great experience.
(5)Payton C.
Three stars and not two because of the tasty clams casino. However, the squid ink pasta was a disappointment. It was bland pasta with bits of minced squid in olive oil. I am a foodie and I realize sometimes you win some and loose some.
(3)Annie R.
OMGOSH!!!! The food here is amazing! My sisters and I were doing a 'sistah weekend' in Boston and we were walking around the area, headed more toward's Mike's pastry, and looking for a place to eat. We were about to pick another restaurant but decided to go to Mike's Pastry first. THANK goodness we did. Right across the street is this little hole in the wall joint, that had a long line outside of it. We crossed the street, stood in line, and checked 'YELP' to find out why there was such a long line outside of this place. All the reviews we read made us stay in line. We waited in line for about 45 minutes (and this was around 1:30 p.m.). Finally got in, ordered what a lot of the Yelp reviewers recommended - the aglio olio aka squid ink pasta (UHMAAAAZZZING!!!!). We also ordered calamari (very very very good), some other shrimp/scallop over linguine in a white wine sauce (also delish), and monkfish marsala (I'm not a fan of mushrooms, so this dish didn't do anything for me). Wait is totally worth it. However, next time I think we may consider take out if we're really hungry. Aside from the delicious, mouth watering food, the experience is a lot of fun. The chef and the waiter are (very) Italian and we got a kick out of their camaraderie. The 'no bathroom' thing is kinda inconvenient (I had to run to a restaurant across the street, which had a big sign on the door that said, 'Restrooms for CUSTOMERS only!' I snuck in and out....). But the food is soooooo good! I don't think I can say that enough. This is definitely a DO OVER anytime I'm in Boston.
(5)Xiao L.
My expectations was too high. Good: very simple ingredients, and the taste isn't too strong. And the serve was huge! Bad: long wait time, crowded sitting area, more expensive than a 2$ restaurant on yelp should be. I can give one more star if I only had one of the bad things.
(3)Ihab A.
Amazing (fresh) squid ink pasta with sautéed squid in EVOO!!! Also, the calamari platter was very good...not oily and very fresh.
(5)James K.
The wait is definitely worth it!!! We had the black pasta and the shrimp, scallops and broccoli in white sauce. I loved the white sauce it's very simple preparation but some of the best Italian I have ever had!
(4)Yu-Keng S.
Very amazing pasta with homemade 'juicy' noodle, but the service was awful. The waitress even yelled "sit down (no plz)" to someone else when the guy was trying to order. Waiting time is crazy. We came at 11:50 (the restaurant open 12:00 on that day) and needed to wait until second round and it costed us 1 hour.
(4)Josh F.
I've never recieved the worst customer service from the front of house. We walked in with five of my family memebers. While Waiting OUTSIDE to be seated, four other people walked in 5 min ahead of us and were seated first. They told me that they were accommodating for 5 of my guest and that they already had a table for four ready for those customers. They then had our table ready and wanted to seat my daughter ontop of a crate!! I couldnt believe how disrespected the waitresses treated my family and i dont recommend this place even if they are on a bizzar foods america TV show!! I was very excited to eat at this location with my family from California. We are new to Boston visiting our family here and this resurant was the worst experience of our trip to Boston. Dont recommend this place even if the food which maybe good i wouldnt know due to the rude customer service from this resturant waitress. In my opinion, if you dont have great customer service, food does not matter even if the food maybe good. I give Daily Catch and customer service three thumbs down. Rudness to customers that eat there off the ! ! Dont eat there!!
(1)Andrew R.
Bumping this up to 5 stars after going back a second time. Food remains fantastic. Tried the broiled scrod with a side of linguine. Also ordered grilled broccoli with olive oil and garlic. Mrs. notorious MD had shrimp with pasta in a red sauce. Service was great. Chef and servers chatted with us. Thank you Louie and crew! Cash Only. Small, noisy, but totally worth it. One of our new favorites in Boston's North End.
(5)Slim K.
Its a nice authentic italian spot But! The wait is toooo long ! & too small space inside.... I felt really uncomfortable
(2)Keith P.
I'm not coming to the restaurants defense but at least once a year I get the opportunity to visit this unique 40 year old establishment. Yes it has flaws but those flaws and the personalities involved is also its character. There's a reason it has a line of loyal patrons standing along its door front in freezing temperatures. I admire the unsophisticated approach to deliver fresh and original ideas. This small restaurant and even smaller menu has captured my attention. As a Certified ACF Chef I enjoy eating out of the sautéed pan from where, Jimmy, their chef of 30 plus years, connects with his passion and serves delicious and well prepared meals. No one is perfect and for those whom hide behind your negatives reviews can tell you that sharing your concerns about any issue in a non confronting or intimidating way could have likely resolved much. I found by just engaging the people in the restaurant and sharing your needs or desires they will and can make it happen.
(4)Adam W.
Lobster Fra Diavlo. Easily enough seafood and pasta to feed and fill a table of three to four people depending on hunger level. Just add an app or two if you're really famished, or else its all going to doggie bags. Fried calamari is a must have, freshly battered and fried for every order (you can get it to go too if you dont want to wait in the crazy weekend lines). Squid ink pasta was a bit inconsistent between my two visits here, which were about 4 weeks apart. First time was nearly perfect but the second time seemed to be practically tasteless... almost like the chef forgot a vital part to the dish. Linguini with white clam sauce was exceptionally smooth and creamy, perfect texture and taste.
(4)Anthony D.
We will be going back to try the Lobster Fra Diavalo. My kids loved the mussels marinara with linguine and the home made squid ink pasta. The food was fresh and the open kitchen concept in this small 20 seater restaurant was a bonus to be able to watch the chef prepare his excellent dishes. I would recommend getting there early around 4 PM because the line never stopped forming outside and the average wait time from my experience is about 25 minutes.
(4)Alex W.
I understand not accepting credit cards, I really do. But when I am leaving because I don't have cash on me(sry im not a drug dealer), I really don't enjoy being ridiculed by the staff. You're too uneducated to sign up for a Square account which can even charge the patrons the card fee? that's fine! But even if I had my debit card on me and was about to come right back you now instead have someone who will never be back.
(1)A C.
the best squid ink pasta outside of Italy. the wait is worth. the ink noodles are made fresh and then flash frozen for a fresh order. I only dream of flying 6 hours in a cramped plane from CA just to chow down on the minced garlic and squid concoction. The Monk fish is also very sweet and firm! I go out of my way every time i land in Boston to have the ink pasta. needless to say, i'd come back here and bring friends! :) FYI: make sure you stand in line! the 1 waiter wont remember who is next in line when there a a crowd surrounded the tiny space! also be prepared to wait at least 45 mins.
(5)Yu-Ruei H.
Amazing pastas. Very fresh seafood, and pretty cool open kitchen! Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!
(5)Michele S.
Horrible customer service. It has the worst customer service I have ever experienced in my life. In addition, the food wasn't that great because the pasta was not fully cooked and the sauce wasn't that flavorful. I came to this place because of its yelp review rating. I was so disappointed at the food and especially at the customer service. I wonder if they ever care about their customers because this place is "popular". First: they opened 1 hour later than the posted time. Second: When I walked in along with other customers. The customers looked at the menu and just left. The chef was mocking them in front of other customers who were still sitting there. Third: This place is known for its black pasta. I was so excited to try it. When I ordered the pasta with calamari in garlic sauce. The paste was not fully cooked and the sauce is not that flavorful. When I brought this concern to the waitress attention, she refused to take care of this issue for me. Even worse, she started MOCKING ME publicly in front of other customers and telling her chef that I was being unreasonable ... I gave up..I decided not to eat the noodles because it is uncooked and I can see the uncooked part in the center of the noodles. I will never visit this place again.
(1)Sherri M.
Katarina waited on us tonite. She was so knowledgeable and offered us great and point on menu selection. Loved my lobster fra Diablo
(5)Lisa W.
Small restaurant with delicious food and friendly service. I'm definitely coming back someday!
(5)Mel C.
Huge fan of this place for a quick, delicious Italian meal without the white tablecloth pressure. The food is on par with fancier restaurants, but all the pastas come in a pan! One summer, I attempted to try all of their pastas. Unfortunately I'm always too tempted by the squid ink pasta and end up repeating a ton. The squid ink is definitely the way to go. I like the Putanesca, then Aglio Olio, then Alfredo. Other good non-squid ink options are the Vongole Neapolitan, Shrimp and Linguine with white sauce, and the Mussels Marinara. Steamed broccoli as a side dish is also a great bet. Come early on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid the lines.
(5)Hanh T.
My friend and I shared the Lobster Fra Diavalo. It's a pasta dish w/ lobster, clams, squid, and mussels in a red sauce. Although the heaping dish looks very trying, we were able to finish our meal. Between the two of us, it was about 5 servings at least! The dish was worth it bc it was probably one of the best Italian seafood dishes that I've had. When you visit the restaurant, expect a wait along the sidewalk bc the restaurant is small. I thought NYC restaurants were small, but Bostonian restaurants seemed smaller. ;) All the while worth it! The ambiance of the place feels like a local neighborhood Italian restaurant with one waiter, one cook, and one hand! You can talk to the cook from the front door, and he can see you walk in, basically. ;) It has an awesome mom and pop, homey, Bostonian feel. Gotta love it!
(5)Tatsu O.
One waitress/host, one busboy/dishwasher, and one chef. The squid ink pasta is amazing, easily one of the best pastas I have ever had. This is a no nonsense, get in and get out hole in the wall - don't come here if you want a five star full service restaurant. But if you don't care about all the frills and just want some really good Italian seafood, then I couldn't recommend it highly enough. The place is tiny so there is a good chance you may be sharing a table with strangers. CASH ONLY.
(5)Michelle R.
We recently enjoyed a wonderful lunch at The Daily Catch in the North End. As we are visiting Sicily at the end of October, we wanted a taste of what we could expect. Let's just say, we can't wait! We waited approximately 45 minutes. We shared the calamari meatballs (the sauce was delicious, but the meat balls were somewhat disappointing), the littlenecks Siciliano steamed with garlic white wine, lemon & herbs (the broth was to die for - we needed more bread to sop it up) and a half portion of the black pasta putanesca cooked with pureed olives, anchovy butter, sauteed mushrooms, onions and peppers (the standout dish of the meal). We complimented our meal with a lovely bottle of Italian red wine from Montepulciano. They do not take credit cards, cash only. Very good service with a great smile.
(4)Yns S.
What terrible and rude service. It's first come first serve, but they let a group of 4 sit down when only 2 of the group had arrived. Even more insulting, they just walked to the front of the line and walked in... When I asked the waiter why that was, all I got was a really curt answer Ridiculous
(1)Mike Y.
This is a tiny (around 8 two people tables) Italian home style seafood restaurant. Excellent seafood. Expect to wait for a table since the place is small. *** cash only *** We got fried calamari, a small salad, broiled swordfish, and the lobster fradiavolo with black squid ink pasta. That was more than enough for 4 people. The flavor is good. Seafood is fresh and black pasta is awesome. Overall, the food is really good. Server is "interesting" but friendly in his own way. :)
(5)Chewie L.
Whenever Giacomos has a line, I'm happy because that means I get to eat at Daily Catch. Food here is delicious, portions are great, and the prices are just right. I love that they serve the dishes to you in the pans. Makes it feel a bit more casual and down-to-earth. I also really enjoy watching them cook up my food while I wait. Best for 2-4 people. Don't even think of bringing a large party. Like many restaurants that don't take reservations, arrive right when they open to avoid the wait.
(5)Steph C.
Came back to Daily Catch and it was just as awesome as I remembered. I was with a group of six and by splitting into two tables, we were seated without too long a wait at dinner. The service was friendly and the atmosphere as warm and cheerful as before. My friends and I shared three appetizers and three pastas, and it was a hefty amount of food. The shrimp scampi was as delicious as it was at lunch, and we also tried the mussels and a small order of fried calamari. The mussels were the weak link. I didn't find them particularly fresh or well flavored. The "small" mountain of calamari, on the other hand, was great. Crispy breading, springy squid, and a nice marinara sauce. We only tried one new pasta as I loved the two I had before, and it was the least appealing. This was the linguini with scallop in red sauce, and while it was tasty, it wasn't memorable, and I tired of the sauce. The black pasta aglio olio and white linguini with clams were phenomenal. I would eat them both often despite the heavy amount of garlic and grease. We washed down our dinner house with an affordable bottle of the house chianti, which we drank out of plastic cups. It was an intimate meal with splendid food, and I'll try to make it back to Daily Catch whenever I find myself in Boston.
(5)Michael D.
Black pasta agio olio ( yelp.com/biz_photos/uXOV… ) certainly was interesting, but nothing to write home about. it's one of those dishes you gotta try once, but you'll never CRAVE. Broiled haddock ( yelp.com/biz_photos/uXOV… ) was simple, but kinda bland in my opinion. It was served with a side of pasta ( yelp.com/biz_photos/uXOV… choice of sauce: red or oil). The pasta was a little too "al dente" to the point of being almost hard, it was soaked in oil, and it was REALLY bland. BUT, the GRATED PARMESAN saved it. The parmesan was actually one of the best parmesan's I've had.. it was freshly grated and SUPER intense and flavorful. Without the parmesan, I woulda given Daily Catch two stars but put that stuff on bread, pasta, or whatever and it'll make it taste good. SO, overall, I'd come to try to squid ink pasta ONCE, but I'm not sure if I'd come back.. the line is usually too long to justify your meal! AND ADD THE PARMESAN TO YOUR DISH.. IT MAKES IT EXPONENTIALLY BETTER!
(3)Jun W.
I I thought this place was better than average when I did my research on Boston restaurants. But other than casual cool atmosphere and great customer service, there was no 'WOW' factor from a taste perspective. It was as good as the taste of stands in Quincy Market and that is it. To me the problem is paying higher than average cost for an average place. The cost and benefit is simply not there. However, if you are going with your family, I would say the outside view and relaxing environment will probably make up for the lack of taste. So be thoughtful of how many people you are going with and decide accordingly.
(3)adam m.
This is a surprisingly deceiving restaurant. The food was PHENOMENAL even though I am not a seafood lover and I just went to the aquarium! Max was a great server with an entertaining personality
(5)Vivian C.
Silly me... I never noticed that this place was directly across from Mike's the first time I visited. A fellow diner, however, did, as she made a beeline for the pastry shop after our meal. We arrived at The Daily Catch for a late lunch, and found that they were not lacking for customers. There were five parties munching on various states of their meals as we waited for the attention of the single waitress. Party of 3? She moved a table over so that we could join a party of two at their side of the room. I wanted to try the calamari meatballs $6, since they sounded interesting. Ground calamari, cheese, seasonings, breadcrumbs... unfortunately, they were moist enough but tasted rather bland and bready. For entrees we shared the shrimp & scallop & broccoli pasta $22 in white wine sauce and an appetizer portion of the Black Pasta Aglio Olio appetizer $10.50. The first was served in a beat up frying pan and contained four shrimp, four scallops, and several spears of broccoli. The pasta al dente, the seafood tender and moist - definitely not overcooked. The broccoli still retained its color. The Black Pasta was just as good as the first time I had it, although the portion seemed a bit smaller and the ground calamari chunkier. Service this time around was fine, but not particularly great - ie. our water pitcher wasn't refilled. Parking Tip? We were told this place validates 3 hours of parking at the Parcel 7 garage... didn't try it ourselves, so if anyone can confirm, that would be great!
(3)Elizabeth S.
Aglio Olio Black pasta FTW! It's the best pasta there. My friends and I tried all three pastas. This is the only one worth getting and the best one to eat. After having the black pasta, I want all my pasta to be black now. Once you go black pasta, you can never go back. The Calamari meatballs was pretty good. Scrumptious and delicious. I just wish it was either bigger or you get more because it was so good. Would have been 5 stars but gave it 4 because we had to wait awhile for a table because there's literally only 5 tables here. Also, the place is cash only!!
(4)Jamie B.
Great food. I had the monkfish marsala and my husband had the black pasta with calamari. The part that really impressed me was the cook: a lone younger woman manning the kitchen by herself. Tasty food, cash only.
(4)Glenn O.
I read over two hundred reviews it is mixed between great good and occasionally poor service (by waitress/ owner). I find pleasure in finding best places that offers BOTH. It sounds like that the lack of space being a small restaurant calls for a small staff since it is accommodating 25 or so customers means an unique delightful experience but can also bring an unpleasant one. Since we like consistency and this place no matter how great their fried calamari is or their lobster mix is, we have decided NOT to visit thus restaurant when we spend our upcoming Boston Trip in July 2014. Thank you for those who posted their unpleasant experiences, it caused us NOT to eat at The Catch of The Day Restaurant. I am Vice-President of Customer Service of $3B Company and am firm believer of providing any customer no matter what business we are in that first and foremost is treating and talking to people (including people who are served a meal in an restaurant) exceptional service. This restaurant though food may be rated 4 stars by many, does not consistently meet my expected level of Customer Satisfaction based on number of reviews that I read to want to risk expectations of a having a great evening dinner with my wife while a romantic visit to Boston. Again, thanks to those who had less than a pleasant experience for their honest input. The Owner(s) of this Restaurant need to value the views and sometimes not so pleasant experiences of their Customers if they truly want to become Great at their craft. They may continue to be successful in their "Take it or Leave it attitude", because their food is indeed very good. But in the end it should be more about having done our best for our Customers. VP Customer Support Company xyz GTO
(1)Graceypoo M.
Saw this place on TV, and finally checked it out when my aunt was visiting from California.... she hooked it up! We had the black squid ink pasta.... served in its own saute pan. It is cooked with generous amounts of oil, but suspend your calorie-counting urge and indulge in the deliciousness of this dish! The cherrystone clams were sweet and fresh! This place is tiny, and being the North End, the wait could be long. There is also less than 20-seats here, so if you have babies and strollers, this is not a place that will have space for your gear. They have another spot near Coolidge Corner which also serves up the same fare.
(4)Ro D.
I have a friend who lived in the North End of Boston he loves great food so when we were headed there I called him for a recommendation. He did not hesitate and sent us to the Daily Catch. We got to the place, I had to look twice it was so small the dining area was very bare bones as far from upscale fancy as you can get. My dining companion was game and I trust the recommendations of my friend in all matters concerning food & drink so we gave it a go. With a staff of 3, waiter, busboy & chef , a teeny tiny dining area (seats maybe 15), and an open kitchen The Daily Catch puts out some of the best Italian seafood dishes I've ever had. As an added bonus the kitchen & dining area are one and the same you can watch a virtuoso performance as food is prepared in a tiny area. The housemade black pasta is amazing I asked for mine with white clam sauce. No canned clams here fresh plump clams dancing in a delightful sauce tossed with wonderful squid ink pasta to die for. No fancy plating here it is served in it's saute pan. Fried calamari floats off the plate the batter is so light. My dining companion had the clams on a half shell and pronounced them the freshest tastiest she had ever had.
(5)Gamaliel E.
I wandered the streets of Boston on a rainy day with luggage in hand. Thanks to my Yelp app I was able to find this gem of a place. I didn't face the long wait others have posted...probably because I was there at 11:30 in the morning. I was the only person there, thus taking up 1/3 of the place. I joke, but the place is tiny. Anyhoo....I ordered a beer and the linguini with calamari. The Asian cooks, brought it over to me in the very pan that it was made in. A very large portion...but I was up for the task..mainly because I'm a fatty when on vacation. I found myself adding pepper to the dish, didn't have the kick that I like in my red sauce. Anyhoo....it was good, but a bit pricey. I guess that comes with seafood dishes. It was a nice dining experience, no frills. Just good eats.
(4)Marissa P.
Lobster fra diavolo and squid ink pasta, as all other Yelpers already have noted, are both delicious! This is a serious foodie joint - sort of a dive. It isn't the type of spot for somebody who is looking for a nice (fancy) night out because there are no frills here. Water is served in small, disposable plastic cups and waitstaff is not the most attentive, but the food is excellent! It's also extremely cramped, so beware. This is casual, family style dining at its finest.....come hungry and you shall receive lots and lots of great food at a fair price!!!! Now, only complaint/issue: I got really sick to my stomach literally right after eating here. I do not know whether it was because of the food or because I decided to eat here for my first (and only) meal of the day or because I had drank in excess the night before, but getting that sick certainly detracted from my experience here. For, this I need to remove 1 star. PS: CASH ONLY!
(3)Brian L.
Waited about an hour to get in this place on a Thursday night with about 3-4 groups of 3 ahead of us... place is TINY as people have said before. Overall the experience was ok but I definitely wouldn't wait that long to get in if I ever came back. Two friends and I shared the littlenecks, black pasta agio olio, and the scallop linguini with white wine sauce. Brags (+): The black pasta was pretty good -- my first time having it. The other dishes were fine, but nothing to write home about. I thought the service was pretty decent too. Beats (-): As mentioned, the size of the place is a bit of a bummer -- it seats about 12. You definitely feel cramped, too, and you most likely have to share a table with strangers. There's not much in terms of differentiating the eating space from the kitchen... so it feels like you're eating in a kitchen almost. Finally, it's a bit pricey for what it is (unfancy decor, modest portions). We split the bill three ways for about $25 a person for two entrees and an appetizer. Variance (~): You can watch the chef cook everything about 5-10 feet away from you. He will also answer questions about ingredients and let his frustrations with people getting their fact wrong in their negative Yelp reviews be know...
(3)Daniel L.
I think that a restaurant is not just about food.. It's an experience that starts the minute you try to contact the crew working for this restaurant. In this case I cannot find another word to describe this experience but unpleasant. We gave up a red socks game to go to this restaurant expecting a 1/2 - 3 hours line to get into this 5 tables venue. Long story short we were received by someone (who I suppose was the owner) who had no idea on what good service is. She was completely rude and out of line. On top of that 3 out of 4 of the dishes were completely average Italian food. The red sauce linguine was tasty, but not good enough to take the lousy service they deliver. Never again!
(2)Cec D.
Best meal I have had in a long time!! Keep in mind that I am a girl that hates pretense and likes to get down and dirty with a big o' plate of food with fresh ingredients and big flavors, The Daily Catch does just that. Yes it's small and you have to wait in line outside. Yes they serve wine is plastic cups and meals out of saute pans. Yes it's cash only and sometimes they run out of bread. Get over yourselves or go someplace else, their food is freaking delicious. We were a table of 4 and had the calamari scampi and clams casino for apps and shared the squid ink pasta putanesca and lobster fra diavlo for entrees....where do I even begin, it was all so tasty. Al dente homemade pasta, lot's of garlic, spice and fresh seafood..I was in heaven. Like true Boston girls we weren't afraid to crack that lobster open and suck the meat out of the legs. By the end of the meal we'd killed two bottles of wine, our fingers were dripping with butter and garlic and our bellies were sated. Job well done Daily Catch.
(5)Sarah K.
LOVE the Monkfish marsala; I go here just for that dish. Meh on the squid pasta - too rubbery for me. Actually, don't go here if you want pasta. They really specialize in sea food. Marking off a star because the seating situation can get really clustered, but hey - it's worth sitting with strangers in a hot kitchen to get the good eats :)
(4)Joan L.
Came here with my out-of-town cousin and his friend. We were lucky enough to arrive in time for the first seating, 5 tables, with three parties sitting at one large table. My party was sitting at a separate table. We ordered the calamari, the mussels + linguini, and the famed black pasta. I thought the food was good, but nothing special, and I'm taking off a half a star to a star for service. The place is cozy, with one chef, one prep cook/busboy, and one waitress (owner?). She was very friendly with one of the tables, but pretty neutral towards the rest of us. The chef cooked all of the appetizers for the entire place at the same time. It was pretty cool watching him cook. The woman delivered all of the appetizers, but only after chatting a while with one specific table...except she delivered our appetizer to the table next to us, another party of 3 Asians. I figured it was an honest mistake and after a while, we managed to flag her down and tell her that while that other table didn't order the calamari, we did. It was pretty good. The chef next cooked all of the entrees. We ordered a large order of the pasta, and she delivered us a small bowl. After some effort, we flagged her down to ask if this was the large size. She told us wait a minute, and after a while, she took it away and put it at the other table. Apparently in a restaurant of 5 tables, and 7 parties, she kept mixing up our two parties! It was frustrating, because between each mixup, she would take forever to come back and find out she made a mistake, and then take more time to fix the mistake. The other two diners found the aglio oglio pasta not well mixed, in that some parts of it were very bland, while some parts were correctly seasoned. She never came by to refill our water. When I managed to get her attention, she took our empty water pitcher and never came back with it. It was a very frustrating dining experience, and we waited too long for our food, and we weren't even waiting for other diners to finish. I wouldn't be opposed to coming back, but I wouldn't seek this place out. I'm surprised the service was so bad in a place that small.
(3)Cátia C.
Best calamari in town!
(5)Ken Y.
Wish I had a better experience...after a long line and long wait, I noticed my dish was cooked already and sitting on top of a pot of boiling water (see photo in case you don't believe me)....then 10-15min later, the pasta was done and it was all mixed together and served. The seafood was bit dry as a result. It's amazing to see how little space they have to work with. Portions were a bit small for the price. Expected better with all the rave reviews and long lines.
(2)Bill L.
Three of us went for lunch. By chance, we beat the crowds and got seated in 15 minutes. AFter the meal, we knew why the crwods were there. each dish is prepared with care and heart. shrimp pasta - wow. each bite was accompanied with a big smile. squid ink pasta with pressed olives - relished every morsel calamari platter - how can you go wrong with frying this is a very small place. yet the staff worked the room diligently and with a smile. very helpful.
(4)Joe B.
Delicious fresh! Swordfish is great. Puttanesca sauce is amazingly complex and fantastic.
(5)Steve L.
A place so good it's okay for food to smell of garlic days afterwards. The Daily Catch has since 2002 been one of my favorite restaurants. I don't think the menu (chalked on a large blackboard) has been altered since then, given the essentially crayoned pieces of paper trumpeting specials to the menu. That's fine. The squid ink pasta done aglio olio is perhaps the best in the business. No friend of mine escapes Boston without being treated to this savory, excellently toothed pasta served in the pan it was cooked on. Quick tip - half servings are $10.50, with no premium added for the smaller dish, so it's completely okay to get two half-servings of black pasta - also try the puttanesca, which is a close second. With essentially five tables in the restaurant, a seat at the window allows gloating at the masses huddled in lines outside who are telekinetically ordering you to chew faster. Resist. Other winners include the shrimp scampi, anything calamari, and a kitchen-facing seat. And wear clothes you expect to put in the wash the next morning, as clothing will soak up the scent of dinner for days after their Daily Catch adventure. Cash only.
(5)Xinyi G.
Ordered the famous black pasta and I was sooooooo disappointed! The pasta itself was very hard and the flavor was not rich at all. I don't get why the yelp view is so high for it.
(1)Yuan W.
I serendipitously stumbled across this place on a lazy weekday afternoon when I came to the North End looking to grab lunch at a nearby Italian place that happened to be closed. I whipped out Yelp to see what else was good and saw hundreds of reviews for this place called The Daily Catch. At a first glance, the restaurant isn't much to look at. It's probably the definition of "hole in the wall". There are maybe enough seats for 15-20 people. Although it was already 1:30 pm, the restaurant was full, and we ended up having to wait about 15 minutes. As one diner walked out, he said to us, "you don't come here for the atmosphere, but the food is amazing!" We were seated at a table for two which wasn't really a table - it was sort of a tile platform jutting out from the wall. I had to sit sideways since there was no legroom underneath, so at that point, I was thinking, "this better be good". Two other things also caught my eye. A lot of diners were eating different variations of this black looking pasta and I'd never seen anything like it before. Also, the kitchen is completely exposed to diners. There was one chef churning out orders like mad, moving rapidly from oven to stove to plating. I'd occasionally see a flame flare up out of the corner of my eye. This guy was definitely impressive. I also found it interesting that he was a middle-aged Asian man cooking Italian food...I guess pasta and noodles might have a common origin after all! At the waiter's recommendation, we ordered the clams casino to start. It was a wonderfully rich dish of baked clams topped with crispy bread crumbs. I've never had juicier and more fresh clams. For the main course, we had two types of their famous squid ink pasta (the black pasta I saw people eating earlier). One version was puttanesca style, with olive and anchovy butter, mushrooms, onions and capers. Just delicious if you like more sour flavors. The other was the aglio olio style, with ground squid sauteed with olive oil and garlic. Mmmm... Verdict: food is really memorable and unique Italian cuisine, restaurant is really adorable and cozy Tip: this place gets packed, go during an off-peak time. Even as I was leaving, a huge wait started to build up again. Luckily, I just realized they have multiple locations in Brookline and Seaport too, check it out: dailycatch.com/index.html
(5)C.Y C.
The Daily Catch is definitely my favorite restaurant in the North End, or in Boston! It usually is my first meal during my visit to Boston. I tried to plan it at a later hour on a week day night so I will be able to get a seat without waiting for too long. This place is definitely a hole in the wall. But it has quality food and the wait and price is not as ridiculous as Neptune. I do find it interesting that the Chef is actually Chinese cooking Italian food in little Italy. But he does such an amazing job. I just can't skip lobster fra diavolo every time I visit. It's a huge dish and it can easily stuff two people. The sauce is what makes it so special! Z said that the chef put tons of garlic and wine in two separate pans and then combine them in our dish... It was pretty garlicky even after the meal. Z loved the pasta with the heavenly sauce. I also tried their famous squid ink past cooked in two ways: aglio olio and alfredo. I have to say I am not too crazy about the pasta because it is too hard to chew... but both Aglio oliio and alfredo tasted good. It really can't compare to the squid ink past in Basta Pasta in NY, which can totally blacken your teeth can lips. Too bad they stop producing it. Also tried the calamari meatball the first time. It was good, especially the sauce (notice the trend about sauce?), but I didn't order it the second time around. Noticed the couple who sat next to us shared a pasta entree served in a pan. The portion is really big enough to feed both. But I did notice that lobster fra diavolo's price has increased to 75 from 69 or something since my last visit. Still think it's worth every penny though!
(5)Megan C.
Cubby Hole Catch of The Day My Clams with white wine and pasta were fantastic. Somehow I ended choosing to sit at the little table in the front, where you can't put your feet underneath, and was forced to watch the chef and all of the patrons. Not that I minded; the chef was friendly and very excited about cooking for everyone. I'd have to say the decor is less than impressive, the food is a little pricey, and you'll feel like the owner snuck a restaurant into a closet and forgot to install a bathroom (yep no bano aqui). So if you're in the mood for less than rustic, and you're craving clams or fish, you'll be hard pressed for veggies or other things, but this is a pretty fun little spot and I would definitely come back. Date Rating: 6 Pick up Scale: 1 Strong Suggestion: Prepare to have a casual meal.
(4)Cornel F.
Very good pasta and calamari here ... Even, and maybe especially, after a 2 hour wait the pasta was fantastic. We liked the pasta vongole best and after that the black ink aglio olio. So good
(5)D M.
Small and DELICIOUS! This teeny restaurant had the most amazing calamari and fish & chips. Waitress was friendly and food was FAST. And it's right across the street from Mike's! Definitely worth a try.
(5)Jackie S.
I read about this place on Yelp for their famous squid ink pasta. My hubby and I were on the Freedom Trail and wanted some lunch. This place was extremely tiny; it has 20 seats. Anyway, the food was pretty good! I had the appetizer size of the squid ink pasta with putanesca sauce, mushroom, and peppers ($10.50). I normally don't eat anchovies, but they provided the nice flavor to the sauce. The pasta was cooked al dente too. My hubby ordered the calamari platter ($19). It came with nicely crispy calamari, French fries, calamari salad with olive oil and olives, and calamari meatball. The calamari meatball was really good since it didn't taste processed. In addition, this was a unique item. We also received a special item of a pan fried white fish. The fish wasn't that great, but it was a nice gesture. Service was okay. We received our bread basket when we sat down. The bread was room temperature. Nothing special. In addition, we received our water in plastic cups. I wish they would use glass to cut down on the plastic. Cash only place.
(5)Victor G.
My friend and I stopped by this little hole in the wall place after getting turned away from Neptune Oyster. The place is small and very uncomfortable from the heat coming from the open kitchen. However if you can put up with its shortcomings, you will be rewarded with some excellent seafood. My friend and I ordered stuffed clams for an appetizer and the scallops and shrimp with pasta in white sauce. We asked for extra bread to dip into the delicious sauce. We were seated right next to the stove on a hot and humid summer day. I ended up getting swamp ass from the heat. Totally worth it for this food though. Also note that it is cash only.
(3)Alexis F.
We lived in Boston for 9 years before moving away. Used to come here monthly for the seafood pasta. I love that this place stays the same. We had the black pasta putanesca (fantastic), the clam white sauce linguine (fantastic) and some of the best calamari we have had. Still awesome after all these years. The staff is jovial and friendly. Still one of our favorite places in Boston. Just remember CASH ONLY.
(5)farangis f.
This is a horrible place. 1. The waitress is rude and disrespectful. She was standing over our heads and tapping her food less than a minute after we sat at our table. She acted annoyed and practically threw the silverware on our placemats and yelled at us several times. There was no line and no customers waiting, so her behaviour was quite inappropriate. She and the guys in the open kitchen talked so loud (they jad no customers and nothing to do) that we could barely hear each other at the table. 2. We ordered 4 dishes and they all tasted the same (we ordered different kinds of fish and clams). They put the same tasteless tomato sauce, that honestly seemed to be out of a can, on almost every item on the menu. Bad food, especially for the price. 3. The place is small and you will be sitting either by the door or the kitchen. Not very comfortable. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this place at all. There are much better choices right there in the neighborhood.
(1)Christine L.
Seafood worth the wait! This restaurant is tiny, and its line is LONG. After waiting south of an hour, my party of 4 was seated (and this was still after a huge group just left). We started with a Calamari Salad (really, just calamari) and shared two entrees - I think Mussels and Scallops- one with red sauce, one with white sauce. All the dishes seemed simple, but the seafood really shone through. Despite how hungry we were, it was fun watching the chef make our food from scratch and have it served sizzling hot. Daily Catch is definitely a chaotic place, but the guy manning the tables was super accommodating and attentive. We got extra bread to sop up the yummy sauces!! Be prepared for a long line, and take note - cash only!
(5)Corina G.
This place was really good. We decided to come here for our special anniversary dinner last weekend while in boston. Crab cakes and a caprese salad as an app, lobster & gnocchi special entree for me, swordfish special for my husband. I very much enjoyed my meal but felt the lobster was a tad too gamey. Then again, I'm not huge on lobster, just felt adventurous that night. I didn't love my husbands swordfish. It was a little dry. The risotto cake that came with his meal was great however. But we both felt it overshadowed his fish, instead of complimenting it. Don't get me wrong, all on all food was delicious, I'm just not 100% sure I really *need* to go back. Our server, Sumner was really nice though.
(4)Maria V.
Such a tiny place for sure! But I enjoyed the food so much. My bf and I ordered Calamari with the marinara sauce as an appetizer which is AWESOME, as well as black pasta, Oglio olio with squid as our main course. The pasta itself was cooked perfectly, however the olive oil in it was so overwhelming. I would suggest that when you order this, you can ask for less oil in your pasta. The service was excellent, the server was genuine and friendly. I love this place for the food!
(4)Frankie V.
Wait was a bit long but it was worth every minute. Food was amazing and the chef is ridiculously good at what he does. I had the black pasta with aglio olio and holy hell was it delicious. Definitely a spot to try out.
(5)Azalea K.
I waited outside on a cold Boston night for about 45 minutes to get in here so my expectations were very high. It did not disappoint. First thing's first: If you do not order at least a small portion of the fried calamari (I ordered the large) you are missing out. I've eaten calamari many other places, and generally enjoy it... I mean, it's hard to mess up, right? But at The Daily Catch it was unlike anything I had ever tasted before. Each bite was better than the previous. I was lucky to have a few friends sharing in it, otherwise I probably would have eaten the entire thing myself. The main course was also nothing short of genius. I ordered a very simple seared halibut in a white sauce. My friend got the red sauce (and squid ink pasta), which may be my only regret. I've eaten out a ton in my two years in Boston and I can honestly say that very few meals have been as memorable as this.
(5)Ana R.
You know the score already: no reservations, no credit cards, no exceptions. I was invited to an early dinner/late lunch (linner?) at Daily Catch, and I felt very privileged and lucky to have the chance to check out this North End staple. Across the street from Mike's Pastry (at which the line was LITERALLY around the block, I'd never seen that before in mid-Feb), The Daily Catch can only be described as a restaurant kitchen surrounded by 6 tables. There are no frills here, no reservations, no name at the door, just stand in line and wait your turn. If you forget and reach for the door handle before your turn, you will surely be reminded by the dozen or so very vocal people that have been waiting to get in, OR the hostess (epitome of Italian-aunt-who-will-definitely-kick-your-ass-if-Âyou-step-out-of-line) will simply kick you out. As one regular told me in line, she once said "If you don't like it, get the hell out". At 3:30pm, we ended up waiting about 40 minutes, but we missed one table because our group wasn't complete (they will only seat you if everyone in your party is present). However, the next table for four was conveniently bussed and cleaned very slowly, giving my fella enough time to find parking and leg it back to the restaurant. A wink and a nod from the hostess and we were in. They are well known for their squid ink pasta ($28 with any protein), but our table stuck to regular fare, starting with their famous calamari. Holy crickey. Served with their tangy and tomato-y marinara, this calamari is perfectly cooked, with breading clinging like lichen to a brick wall on every piece. Why can't every plate of calamari be cooked like this? Looking at you, EVERY OTHER RESTAURANT. A small order for 2 ($9.75) was enough to satisfy our table of four. For entrees, I had the linguini with scallops, fella had the linguini with scallops and shrimp, fella's mom had the same and fella's dad had the haddock. All were priced $19-$22 each. The pasta dishes come in the frying pan, clearly the most rugged pans ever made as they were dented and scrubbed within an inch of their life and still cooked up some perfect scallops. I also tried the shrimp and they were also very well cooked, not rubbery (overcooked). The portions are huge, but I scarfed down most of mine, I couldn't resist their garlicky white sauce. We stuck to water so early in the day, which came in plastic cups (no ice, which I applaud!), but they gladly brought us a dish of lemon to spritz in the water. We were all surprised to see how young the cook was (couldn't be a year over 25, could he have been one of the sons?), and he produced plate after plate of delicious, perfectly cooked food, without making a sound. He's a one-man operation, which is good because there would be no room for a sous-chef. The space of the restaurant is 60% kitchen (stove, salamander, counter, storage, dishroom) and 40% seating. There is one waitress, aided by the hostess. The menu is a chalkboard. Parking is impossible. The North End is pretty much 100% resident parking, with some lots for non-residents strewn here or there. Some side streets near The Daily Catch do have metered spots, but you'd have to have some excellent parking karma to snag one of those. TDC validates 3hrs of parking at the garage at the Garden, but if you're waiting in line for a while, you might get hit with some over-time fees. More convenient to park somewhere else and take the T. There is plenty of North End atmosphere here (a family-run Italian restaurant in the heart of Boston), and that's all you need when the food is this good. It's not a tourist trap, in my opinion - the line outside was populated mostly by regulars who entertained us with tales of the Daily Catch staff and family. I've heard the other locations aren't as great, but if you're going for Italian seafood, try this one out.
(5)Chris C.
I wish every Italian place I went to was like the daily catch. It's a small place seated with 6 tables and has an open kitchen with the chef cooking everything a few feet away from you. The aromas are simply divine. They have an expansive seafood and italian menu but their specialities include their black ink pasta and lobster diablo (check my spelling). My friends settled on those while I decided to get the clams and calamari combo with red sauce. What's unique about this place is that all of their pastas come out in a stainless steel pan the chef was cooking in. It's a nice touch. My food was flavorful and delicious. This place will have a long wait around dinner time so definitely get here early or you might be waiting an hour. Also, they only take cash as well.
(4)Tiffany N.
Displeased with the service sums up my experience for this place. I would have given this place a 2-star if it had not been the rude service we got from the owner himself. Appparently to get friendly service you have got to order more than one dish. Sir, you could have told us that the portions were small and that you recommend ordering more but nope you were rude and condescending about it. So guess what I ordered ONLY one dish, so I could quickly eat and leave! Whatever happened to good service these days. We ordered the shrimp linguine with red sauce and in all honesty it was alright, the shrimp was good but it would have tasted the same anywhere in Boston cause of the quantity, freshness, and prevalent seafood in this city and sauce that was premade already. Only slight difference is that it came out in a pan instead of a plate. Overall not very remarkable in taste. This place was super dinky with a few small tables. I would have been fine with it and the food, but I can't stand terrible service. Oh and cash only, be prepared to spend a lot for small portions.
(1)Peter K.
Great fresh seafood in the heart of the Italian North End of Boston. The squid ink black pasta is incredible especially with the garlic sauce. Tiny little place always with a big line out front. The chef is in the same room as you just a couple inches away, literally like 10 feet from the curb, cooking away where you could practically hand him things or help. Good chance to learn some culinary skills. And it's great to hear him bicker with the salty waitress that may have been there since it opened. It seemed that they got the tables into a rotation so that they would seat all 7 or 8 tables at the same time, then after taking orders and cooking, the chef would then go on his smoking break out front on the street in front of the waiting line of people for like a half hour while everyone ate, then return when the people paid and left and started the process all over again. Anyway, great food and great entertainment.
(5)Cheryl R.
The Daily Catch has the freshest calamari, and the white sauce of olive oil and garlic is amazing. They serve grandma's recipe from Sicily.
(5)Dean C.
Great food. It is a VERY small place where your table is right next to the cook and kitchen. You can watch them cook your food as you sit at your table. The serving area is old and run down and the bathroom is not appealing. YET, I will go there every time I am in town. It was best meal I had while in Boston. I had the scallops and shrimp over linguine.
(5)Evelyn L.
Man with lobster on shoulder, laughter, then great food. What more could I ask for? Actually, my only problem with this place was a vent was shooting right at myself and the food which quickly got cold. It did not diminish the taste or the experience though! Service: It is a bit slow, but there is only 1 cook, 1 bus boy, 1 waiter who is also the cashier but the joint only seats about 20. They get you water and bread while you wait then after ordering you can watch the cook make your dish. Location: Across from Mikes Pastry (and no line like Giacamos!) WHY 5 stars? I loved that the pasta we ordered was served in the pan it was cooked in. It is fun and probably economical for the location. There were obvious locals messing around with the cook and when they ordered lobster he set it on his shoulder and they were laughing quite a bit. The food! 1) Squid ink pasta with ground squid: simply made with olive oil, garlic, ground squid, seasonings and herbs I assume, and then perfectly cooked pasta. $24 2)Monk fish Marsala with pasta: the Marsala taste was prominent. Not really for me but my friends loved it. The fish was tender though! $24 3) Fried calamari was great! It was tender and lighy battered. I liked it better than Giacamo's down the street. $10 4) Casino clams (stuffed clams) were flavorful and well, tasted like clams! Definitely a great choice for those who want clam. Mm. $10? I would so come back here if I visited Boston again.
(5)Amy B.
Went here for lunch on a Saturday. My husband and I ordered the squid meatballs and then each had their famous squid ink pasta cooked with crushed squid, garlic and olive oil. The pasta was amazing, cooked al dente, perfect! The crushed squid and garlic were cooked well and complemented the pasta. I love that the entree portion is served right in the pan it was cooked in so you can experience all the great flavors left in the pan. I had the appetizer portion, which was just right for me. I give the food 5-Stars, but the cook was incredibly rude. He yelled at one of his employees in front of all the diners more than once and made a racist comment about one dining party. Wish I could say we'll go there again, but unfortunately we'll pass on the delicious food because of him.
(2)Michael L.
this is one of my favorite places to go for italian food. its so small that you have to wait an eternity to get in but the food makes up for it. The staff work great together and definitely have good chemistry. It makes working in a restaurant look extremely fun. The kitchen is right next to all the tables so you can see how the dishes are prepared..... just wait until you see the chef prepare a lobster dish. that shit is crazy... i wont spoil it so youre just going to have to go in. the baked clams are money....calimari is on point and the pastas are bomb. dont forget to try their squid pasta. sounds weird but it hits the spot
(5)Eric F.
I've heard many good things about the seafood here and don't get me wrong, the squid ink pasta with Aglia Olio was very tasty. What let me down was the rest of the dining experience: service was unbelievably sluggish (not to mention inattentive), interior is rather unkempt and CRAMPED, and the prices are not cheap. I understand that there's only one server for the entire place, but the entire place consists of a dozen or so people tops... Daily Catch is absolutely worth at least a one-time visit for the squid ink pasta. Would I return though? Meh.
(3)Rachel C.
Why do I give it only 2 stars? Let me try giving a compliment sandwich. Good: 1. The seafood is very, very fresh. 2. The Fried Calamari is fried perfectly, crisp crunchy batter and delicious calamari. 3. The Shrimp White Linguine, Clam White Linguine was flavorful. Bad: 1. The waiter is a racist. My cousin (who works in the F&B business) asked if the squid ink pasta "was supposed to be this chewy", and he replied "Yes of course, it's hand made. It's pasta you know, it's not chinese noodles", and even went back to his corner of the room where the cash register is and scoffed/laughed at us, repeating once more to the chef that "they asked if it's supposed to be chewy." (We asked if it's supposed to be THIS chewy, because it was bordering on hard.) Of course I could not tolerate it, this being my first racist encounter after 3 years in the US and I made sure he knew he was being a racist, and to stop being insular thinking that Asians have not tasted pasta before. Both the chef (ASIAN!!) and the waiter looked obviously embarrassed, and proceeded with their tasks. Waiter also upped his service with more-than-frequent water refills. We left shortly after. 2. If their famed squid ink pasta was then "al dente', then the other two plates must have been overcooked by their standards. 3. The linguine was flavorful, the squid ink aglio olio was lack-lustre. This coming from a squid ink pasta and a aglio olio fan. 4. To be very fair, come if you want fresh seafood, but I don't think it's worth the wait if it's as long as what the other comments have warned against. We came early on a weekday as advised by a friend and there were no lines even when we left at 530. Try Giacamo's instead. Conclusion: 1. Fresh seafood 2. Ok pasta. 3. That waiter dude, please listen to feedback from your customers, and grow up. Your racist comment was completely uncalled for and this insularity is ironic for an American and Asian-run Italian restaurant.
(2)Jim L.
came here after reading Yelp reviews. Sick food. Haddock was amazing. I'm a Seafood only eater and this is one of the best!
(5)Doris L.
We wait for almost 40 mins in freezing wind and there were so many table is empty. We kept waiting and the woman just told us the store is closed until we came in and asked again! I heard the spaghetti here is so great but I was so disappointed with their attitude toward customers!
(1)May C.
We ordered fried calamari, black pasta and clam pasta and they were GREAT! We all enjoyed the food. However, it was a hot day (93F) and there was no air conditioning in the restaurant...But this shouldn't be the issue most of time in the year. We'll definitely come back again!!!
(4)J W.
Very small place - wish they had some tables outside on a day like today. The food was good, but nothing we haven't had before. Cash only puts a damper on a place like this, as well as being flanked by several excellent restaurants. Their stick is the black ink pasta, which is overrated. They also serve in the pan it was cooked in, which has its pluses and minuses. If you are looking for something that is authentic Boston, head here. If you are looking for fine dining, skip it.
(3)Susan K.
Hot in the summer... no air conditioning... no bathroom. Good food, fun(ny) staff
(3)S H.
This is a great place. I love that the kitchen is a part of the restaurant. I love that there's maybe 7 tables in the whole place. That's part of the charm. Granted, this wouldn't be a place to have a business dinner, but you should know that before you go. Other reviews of the place are pretty accurate. A line forms fairly early, the waiters may not be overly friendly, it's loud, and water is served in tiny plastic cups. So what. I'm not going there for the water. I want their calamari and lobster fra diavolo. I had both. Both were good, but probably could have been a bit better. I was disappointed that the calamari breading wasn't as crisp as I was expecting, and the lobster fra diavolo seemed to have a disproportionate amount of linguine, but I would say it's pretty minor. Overall, it was worth the visit.
(3)Dirgni S.
I haven't been back, but I did look at their menu online. Holy SpongeBob! Lobster Fra Diavolo is $69 and they don't accept credit cards. So, if you take your family of 4 to this joint and you each get this dish and nothing else, you have to have about $300 in cash on you. Yikes! In my opinion, this has officially attained tourist trap status now. Edited to add that I now realize that this dish is intended for two. So a family of 4 would need to be carrying at least $150. Add tips and drinks though and you're well over $200 that you have to carry in cash.
(2)Suzanne W.
Love the food here, Authentic Italian food and my favorite is the monkfish Marsala and the puttanesca pasta dish..I always recommend my friends and family who are visiting to dine here..place a lil bit small, but you will feel it is the real dining experience just like in Italy...
(5)Allison K.
This meal is really high up on my list of best meals of my life. Talk about freshness. I've had fresh seafood before, but these guys know how to capture freshness and flavor in such a way that you literally taste perfection. I've never had better clams than the ones I had in the lobster fra diavolo in my entire life. I even went to California and had fresh clams only a few weeks before having this meal, and I still think that the clams at this restaurant were better. First of all, the lobster fra diavolo is a beast of a dish. It's enormous and absolutely incredible. A rather fair sized lobster, perfectly cooked, sitting atop a bed of pasta and surrounded by other tasty sea creatures. It's seriously agonizing, writing about it, because I'm remembering how amazing it tasted, and it's making me so upset that it's not in my mouth at this very second. We also had the black squid ink pasta, which was also incredible. It was not what I had expected, because I had never had such pasta before; I imagined the squid ink to be a sauce. Instead, the pasta is made with squid ink, and WOW, what a difference it makes. Fresh pasta makes all the difference in the world, but adding squid ink simply elevates it to a whole new level. Throw in some garlic, olive oil and crack cocaine*, and you have this dish. No joke, they have to be adding drugs into that dish because I could NOT stop eating it; it was like I was addicted. (I was literally scraping the pan. ) So yes, this is a 5 star review, and yes, I have only had 2 of the menu offerings. But am coming back, and I will have tried more. There's no way I won't, after having such a great experience. *Disclaimer: I do not think they actually put drugs into the food. But I'm not going to rule out magic.
(5)Joelle S.
Talk about FRESH! This place has that covered and so much more. It's a wonderful little gem of a place on Hanover St on the North End of Boston!! My daughter and I went to Boston for a girl's weekend, we arrived early on a Friday and went directly to the North End to explore and EAT!! We had pizza for lunch at a delish place (another review in the works!) that was recommended by the local fire house. Pastry at Mikes. Walking the Freedom Trail, exploring the sights and sounds of the North End.... It was a wonderful day! Getting ready to head towards the hotel and settle in with a nice dinner we walked by THE DAILY CATCH... We didn't plan it; our sense of smell took over as we walked by, and then backed up to take a look inside the small store-front restaurant. This place is SMALL! Really small, maybe enough room for 20 diners, which gives it so much of its charm! We sat down at a community table (for 6), where another couple was already seated. Be warned, you will make new friends at this place!! We began by checking out the blackboard menu on the wall, we wanted to try so many different things from he Calamari Meatballs, Lobster Fra Diavolo, Monkfish Marinara, Sicilian Style Mussels or Littlenecks, or the Black Pasta Tanta de Calamari w/ Aglio Olio.... We had the Sicilian Mussels and the Black Pasta with ground Squid and Aglio Olio, a couple glasses of wine and presto, we made friends with the neighbors at the table with us, and at the table behind us! The Sicilian Mussels were creamy and delicious! The Black Pasta was served in a skillet, we each had a plate full of love... We were so thrilled with the fact that we let our sense of smell guide us to this little gem!! There is only one cook, one waiter (owner), and a guy washing dishes. That's the extent of the staff at the Daily Catch. We were so in love we vowed to go back again! Even if it means flying back to Boston just for the food!! Don't miss out! This place gets packed fast!
(5)Brian D.
After hitting the ICA on a date, we went for a little walk around the waterfront area and saw this place's sister down by the fort point channel. So I opted to get in the car and drive down to the original and I was very pleased with my decision. My date and I waited for about 20 mins or so, but the wait was worth it. Overall, this place is very good, almost to excellent. We picked up some side salads, shared the mussels app, and shared the black pasta Aglio Olio (Squid paste or something), excellent. It was legit the perfect meal. Add a couple beers, a glass of wine for my date and we left at around $66, which I thought was a great value for the quality we received. We secured a table by the front window, which added a nice people watching opportunity. This was especially great as it was nearing closing time for them and we got to watch all the fatty tourist hitting Mikes Pastry across Hanover. Great food + Entertainment on the street = a happy man. The place is tiny, just tiny, and only takes cash, so be forewarned. If you dont have cash, you might just have to wash the dishes, which ironically is in the same room as the kitchen and dining area.
(5)Jenny S.
another tiny North End italian joint that i probably wouldn't become a regular at BUT i would single out as having some of the best squid ink pasta ever! -----the squid ink pasta is thick & CHEWY pasta that soaks up ALLL the salty flavors from the garlic, oil, & squid mixed in! dont worry the small appetizer portion is enough for one person!!! the reason i wouldn't become a regular is because the squid ink pasta was the only dish worth trying -----broiled haddock: was inconsistently salty & mostly BLAND. it came w/ our choice of pasta or fries (we choose pasta, also bland) HOWEVER! THE GRATED PARMESAN at the table is MAGICALLY DELICIOUS (better than at any restaurant ive had).. we added it to the bland pasta & fish INSTANT flavor upgrade!!! improves the free bread too!!! NOTE: there's usually a wait so go before opening! & CASH ONLY
(4)Matt L.
Went here on a Saturday at approximately 1:00 It got a little crowded later on, so if you want a seat, make sure you get there at a good time. If you go during the night, expect the wait to be at least 15 minutes. The food was absolutely amazing. Some of the best I've had in boston. Be sure you get an order of calamari. I thought the price was kind of high, but still worth it. In regards to the restaurant: it's kind of a tight fit, since there isn't much space. Not really ideal for large parties, but for two people, it'll be just fine. Highly recommend
(5)Mike H.
Ate here yesterday, boy was it good! We ordered the squid ink linguini in aglio olio flavor, and it was tasty. The shrimp and clam linguini in red sauce was sooooo good! Lots of garlic and olive oil makes the dishes tasty. Pasta is al dente. It was so good we ordered another linguini with red sauce plus clam and calamari. I thought the fried calamari was not as good as Giacomo's, but my son loves it. The waitress was very nice and friendly, and the chef was simply exceptional. My family loves The Daily Catch, and we plan to return whenever we visit Boston again.
(5)Kelsey R.
My absolute long time favorite place in North End and actually my all time favorite in Boston. It's the most fantastic, fresh seafood in Boston. A great option instead of one of the hundreds of Italian places in the North End. If you're coming to Boston to visit go for Seafood and this is the best! The place is tiny and the kitchen is in the restaurant. If you're looking for fancy, white table clothes, actual glass glasses or plates even, this isn't for you. If you're looking for amazing food, plastic cups full to the brim with wine, quick friendly service, steaming seafood dishes served still in the pan and possibly getting squished in with some new friends you should definitely check it out! *Cash only, the line can be long but just wait it out - the server is great at fitting everyone in somehow.*
(5)Kathleen C.
Sigh.... I really really thought this was THE spot after it had the highest ratings in the area. I had high hopes even when I entered because it seemed totally authentic. I liked the spot (atmosphere is a 4) and the service is really great. The food, however, fell short. We tried the calamari meatball which was good, but not overwhelming. I would say it is a solid meatball. The fried calamari, however, was decidedly terrible. There was so much calamari on the menu that I figured there was no possible way they could overcook it...but overcook it, they did. It was tough and chewy. I was disappointed. We also tried the black pasta (the one with garlic and olive oil). It started out tasty, and it's obvious that the pasta is homemade. However, it is SO oily and greasy and garlicky that I felt ill later in the day. I think the garlic is overwhelming (I am pretty sure I reeked of garlic for 2 days...) and the oil is so heavy that this dish is a bit much. I appreciate the originality, but I didn't love the execution. Food was a 2. Service was very good, and the wine was also good with a generous pour. Service is a 4. Price-wise, I think it can get quite expensive, which isn't exactly what I would expect upon entering. Value is a 3. CASH ONLY I liked the atmosphere, and it was fun to watch the kitchen. Atmosphere is a 4. Bathrooms...I'm not sure there is one...and if there is, I'm not sure I'd want to visit it because if it exists, it's in a cave in the back, so I'm going 1 on bathrooms. I would not visit again...I also didn't realize this spot was a chain until later...
(2)C C.
$$ is NOT correct. Should be $$$. I have never had a problem with the prices at a restaurant until I visited this place. Huge wait, divey decor, average to average+ food, rushed cafeteria type service, very uncomfortable, and you pay quite a lot for all this. Why people wait in line for this is mind blowing. The place is a total tourist trap for international visitors to the north end.
(2)Ri H.
Suggested eating strategy: 1. Go mid week during the day, or Sunday afternoon, middle of the afternoon. If you go during standard meal hours you'll have to wait. Don't complain if you have to wait. That's just how it is. 2. Do not eat the bread while you are waiting for your food. If you get tempted to eat it, push it away from you. Save it for later. 3. Eat the fried calamari, especially if Basil fries it. He knows frying. He knows food, he knows the stove, he knows his equipment. He is that good. 4. Eat the squid ink pasta and whatever else you like. 5. Use the bread you pushed away to mop up the sauce left on the plate. The sauce is amazing. 6. They only take cash. Bring lots of cash. 7. Enjoy the sauce making love to your mouth for the next few hours. Don't eat anything else afterwards. It spoils it.
(5)Kim L.
Came out here to explore, my cousin and friend who are live in Boston wanted to try this place. The wait was a bit long, since they only have about 5 tables in the entire restaurant. The odd thing is they serve drinks in plastic little cups, even wine. Also, if you are a group of 3 or 5 you will be sharing a table with other group (since the place is tiny!). I ordered the Linguine with clams in the white wine sauce. They serve it to you in the pan they cooked it in. By far the best Linguine and clams I've ever had, it was so fresh. I wish they had more places like this in California!
(4)Leslie T.
Visit Date: Labor Day Weekend Wait Time: 40 to 45 minutes on a Saturday evening. Keep in mind that the surrounding restaurants around the block were just as long or even longer. Location: Across the street from the famous Mike's Pastries. By the number of Mike's Pastry boxes floating around downtown Boston, you'd think it's cannoli mecca. The Daily Catch does not mess around. It's run by three seasoned staffers; one person at the front of the house who takes all of the orders and services all of the tables, a badass Asian chef who cooks up all of the Sicilian pasta, and a dish washer/back of the house guy. The restaurant is extremely small and no frills (wine is served in plastic cups), and there is seating for no more than 20 patrons at a time. My girlfriend and I sat next to a group of four, but it was no biggie and, we shared a laugh about having to share appetizers because we were practically shoulder to shoulder. Due to the food adventures earlier in the day, we limited our orders for the evening; all three of the surrounding tables ordered the 69.00 lobster/various seafood dish served over linguini... can you say #baller? As for the two of us, we shared the calamari meatballs for the starter. It was delicious although I'm not sure I could distinctly taste the calamari inside. It was served in a rich marinara sauce which we soaked in our fresh sourdough bread. yum For our main entree, we shared the famous squid ink pasta with aglio olio (garlic and olive oil). Holy crap this was delicious. Served directly in the frying pan piping hot from the stove top, the mix of fresh black pasta, seafood, olive oil, and garlic was perfect. My friend and I couldn't help but give each other knowing looks of "damn this is great". I'll admit I was skeptical at first, but the Asian chef sure knows how to cook awesome Sicilian food.
(5)C C.
Too bad the meal came with a swarm of fruit flies. They landed in my wine and swarmed our food. Totally nauseating to deal with. The people next to us had the same issue. We all moved to different tables but the bugs followed. Sick. Would have been such a nice evening but I didn't get a chance to enjoy it. Waitress didn't apologize until the end. Really crappy experience. I asked the waitress to talk to the manager about at least a 10% discount and a very caustic and aggressive woman named Maria came out to tell us off. She gave us a speech about if we were in Maine we wouldn't even be sitting outside, as if that excuses the fact that we had to cover our drinks and fan our food while we ate. I suggested fans to blow them off the customers food and citronella candles. She was a hot mess. Gave the 10% discount but with a nasty grudge. Never again!
(1)Phil M.
Still the best place ever! Just had to throw that out there!
(5)Da H.
Very small and very fun restaurant. The tables surround the "kitchen" where 2 cooks prepare all the food. You can watch them as they cook and it's quite a show. (how do they get everything to come out perfectly cooked at the same time?) Food is excellent. Pasta is al dente, the seafood is not overcooked and the ingredients are fresh. Couldn't ask for more.
(5)Lana K.
This place is amazing. We ordered scallop and shrimp pasta and scallop pasta . The portions are large and just the right amount for a pasta lover like me. They did not skimp out on the quantity or quality of the seafood. It is a great touch serving the meals straight from the pan ad well. This is now my favorite restaurant in the New England area.
(5)S P.
Food is very good and prepared fresh! Pasta is home-made. Loved the black pasta and still craving for it! It can get very smoky inside and poorly ventilated.
(4)Bob B.
It seems leaving a bad review for Daily Catch is like admitting you don't like Frank Sinatra or Miles Davis. I did want to give my wife a nice dining experience for her birthday weekend but this definitely wasn't it. It might have been the worst dining experience of my life. For us the wait wasn't too long but it is a tiny place and we had to sit elbow to elbow with others while the waitress was very unpleasant and actually sort of yelled at some other people at out table. She must own the place because no one would have hired her otherwise. It might have been the worst calamari I have ever had. It tasted like bicycle tires. Everything else was just bland. I can deal with no ambience if the food was good but this ruined my day.
(1)Jaclyn S.
Love this place - Newbury location seats ~20 people total. Great for some of the best, freshest seafood in Boston, scallops incredible, calamari delicious, the fish with breadcrumbs and oil was too good. The salad has nice house dressing, however the broccoli for $7.50 wasn't worth it. You get bread with the meal - very casual setting (wine served in plastic glasses), but if you have the patience and time to wait for a table - DO IT! This is the type of restaurant you remember going to.
(5)Lauren G.
Ahmazing Seafood - I'm still giving 4 stars and going back despite getting sick on a bad clam and being out of commission for 2 days.
(4)Stefanie R.
OMG...holy f-in s...this place is UNBELIEVABLY DELICIOUS. My brother and I went for the lobster rolls at Neptunes, there was a wait (as usual) and wound up here instead. I'm so glad because I've now discovered one of my top 3 favorite restaurants ever. We ordered the mussels, black linguine aglio olio with squid, and the broiled swordfish with breadcrumbs and garlic. Seriously so amazing we took pictures not to post, but just to salivate over. The chef is a genius. Worth any wait, worth the weirdly cramped quarters. I'll sit on the waitress's lap and eat - I don't care, it's worth it. AND it's not very expensive. Dear The Daily Catch...I am in love with you.
(5)Ross W.
We got a corner table which wasn't really a table. We sat facing away from the table b/c there was no room for legs. The food certainly more than made up for it. I was never a fan of squid, but the Aglio Olio was to die for. It most certainly could feed more than 1 person. Hubby's Pan Seared Swordfish in tomato sauce was quite tasty but just not hot enough. Only 1 server was on the floor, but it's a small place. As I savored the pasta, I felt bad for the long line of people outside waiting in the rain.
(4)Sara H.
I just HAD to come here to try the famous squid noodles and calamari meatballs. I thought that the calamari meatballs were OK (about 3 stars) the description matches the taste exactly. I would rather have fried calamari. Being allergic to shellfish made this restaurant really hard to go to because they only have shellfish and calamari as meat options. So, I had split the calamari with squid noodles fettuccine and the calamari linguini with red sauce with my sister. The squid ink noodles were not what I expected the noodles don't actually taste like squid anything. It just tastes a little tastier than normal noodles (maybe more salty?). The linguini with red sauce was just OK but not worth the 2 hour wait (we started off in line on the other side of the door to the trinket shop next door).
(4)Dennis C.
We got the fried calamari to start and orders of the aglio olio and alfredo pastas as well as the haddock. Probably liked the ground squid in the the aglio olio the most (the actual pasta was good but more of a novelty) with the haddock being a close second, but pretty much every dish was enjoyable. It gets pretty packed as there aren't many tables, which is probably why so many people order to go. I would try and come outside of peak hours to avoid waiting.
(4)Jackie D.
Do's and Don'ts of The Daily Catch: Don't 1) Bring more than one person with you unless you don't mind waiting 2) Feel that you are above drinking good wine out of a plastic cup 3) Fear pasta that is black 4) Be put off by the fact that an Asian guy is the cook for a highly rated Italian restaurant in Little Italy 5) Have such high standards that you're offended by sitting sideways at a "table" that sits above a weird tile stump that juts out of the wall 6) Ask me to explain what I mean by that because I can't quite describe my seating situation any better than I just did Do 1) Order the black pasta - delicious 2) Share it with the other member of your party, unless you can eat an entire frying pan of pasta by yourself (in which case, rock on, my friend) 3) Contemplate getting cannoli from Mike's across the street while you wait 4) Stop at an ATM before coming (cash only!) All in all, I loved it. We got the black pasta aglio olio with ground shrimp and the caprese salad (which was just OK). I felt like I was eating my Sicilian grandma's cooking. No frills food that tastes amazing. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Denise C.
Oh so tiny and oh so good. The calamari meatballs were a really nice surprise. The texture is so similar to a regular meatball but it is squid and nothing but squid. Mussels were super meaty and the sauce is uber buttery. 'Nuf said. The seafood diavolo for 2 is really enough for 4 people. They don't skimp on the seafood and the pasta is cooked perfectly. The black squid ink pasta is so friggin good. Better make sure you're dining companions are eating it with you because you probably consume a bundle of garlic (is that how you measure garlic??) in one dish. Just try out this place. Come early and bring cash.
(5)Ashley V.
Heard rave reviews about this place so decided to give it a try while I was in town. Came with a party of 6 around 1pm on a weekday and hardly had to wait but I think we got lucky because a couple groups of people came shortly after us and had to wait a while. Dining area is really small so I would suggest coming in with a smaller party if it's a weekend or weekday dinner. Service was great and quick. Although there was only one server for the whole restaurant, he was very attentive at all times. Food: - Black squid ink pasta with Aglio Olio: yum, yum, yum! Al dente squid ink pasta drenched in olive oil, chunks of garlic and ground squid. Definitely not something you can get anywhere and is something you should order when you're here. Their portions are pretty big so if you don't eat that much, order the appetizer portion or share it with someone. Pasta also comes in the pan it was cooked in which I thought was pretty cool. - Clams and Linguini in white sauce: my favorite dish of the meal. Again, pasta was cooked perfectly, clams were yummy and white wine sauce was just right. - Fried calamari: Pretty big portion, again. They have a vinegar sauce with chili oil that's really good with the calamari (as recommended by our server) Overall, a great dining experience. I will definitely be back when I come back to visit Boston!
(5)Pat R.
We started next to an Italian souvenir store and there were 20 or 25 people in front of us. The wait was about 1 hour and 40 minutes. I think it was worth it but if you don't have time I would recommend coming during the day and to bring something to do (like reading yelp reviews). My girlfriend and I shared our dishes and we got. 1 - little neck clams appetizer. It was 10/10 for both me and my girlfriend. The broth was so tasty (garlic lemony thyme goodness) we were sad when she took it away but we had run out of bread so it was okay. 2 - monkfish Marsala was interesting. It was well cooked and the fish melts in your mouth. There was a sweet and nutty sauce (which was cool but too sweet for my gf) which was new. 8/10 3 - black pasta aglio olio which was good. The noodles were al dente, the dish was served in a pan so you can scrape it for squidy goodness. The calamari was not overwhelming and the sauce was great (garlic herbs and olive oil) and the flavor was subtle but memorable. 9/10 Ralphie was a GREAT cook. He even came outside to tell us the wait. The place was really popular and people had to be turned away at a certain point. We were the 2nd to last group allowed in. The service was great. The wait was short once inside, and after our meal Ralphie even gave us a free pastry from mikes across the street. All in all a great place that will certainly not be forgotten. Thanks Ralphie keep up the good work!
(5)Jessie M.
This was a such a cool spot. 4 stars for food but I had to add another star for the experience. Only a few tables and you are right up there next to the cook making your delicious blank ink pasta with aglio olio sauce. I met a couple guys who have been going there since they were little. They warned us of the intense garlic smell left on us after we leave that place, but all I was left with was the need to get back there as soon as possible. If you are visiting Boston, or living there and haven't been, you really need to make a stop here to experience great food and a really unique environment.
(5)Heather T.
My family and I came here after a trolley tour of Boston, looking for some local flavor . and it was GOOD! The restaurant is cramped but since we came at like 5pm or so, there was like, no one there. But I can see how this can be an issue on a weekend night. So be prepared. We ordered .. Black Pasta Ogli Olio - Now this was yummy, but after a while i found it to be chewy and a little tough .. maybe because it was served in the pan it was cooking in? This pasta is a great concept .. flavor wise it was .. garlicky and olive oily .. its tossed with calamari bits. The pasta doesn't have another distinct flavor besides the garlic and olive oil but i guess thats because squid ink doesn't have squidy flavor. Sauteed Broccoli - just how its described, oh plus garlic Clams Casino - now this was SOOO GOOD!! the crumbly crispy topping of breadcrumbs and cheese and then underneath the warm soft chewy sea water flavor of the clam. oh so good! Lobster Fra Diavolo - this was well worth it .. we shared this amongst FOUR people (well along with the rest of what we ordered) and it was more than enough. They ran out of clams so they substituted with scallops which was fine. The yummy tomato based sauce with a small kick of spicy goodness is to die for. The linguine just soaking all that tomatoey, seafood broth; warm comforting pasta in your mouth .mmmmm. I think this dish is well worth it .. how can you go wrong'? its lobster, scallops/clams, mussles, shrimp and linguine all in a stew of tomato, red pepper, garlic, onion sea of love. I don't love seafood but I thought this was pretty good! VERDICT - I love this place and would SO go back. MUST TRY - Black pasta and lobster fra diavolo(if you have someone to share it with) and clams casino! TIPS - go early or be prepared to stand and wait .. oh and if you have to use the restroom, they don't have one .. but you can try the cafe across the street next to Mikes!
(5)Amy L.
Delicious! Make sure you're ready with your order fast when you get in, the place is small and the wait staff can get grumpy at you since they have a line out the door and literally let people in as soon as people are out the door. Whole place probably seats about 20 people without any extra waiting room inside. I really enjoyed the ink pasta but it was on the heavier side of pastas me and my friend couldn't finish our dish of ink pasta and some fish
(4)Artiste A.
Went the other day for lunch, had the shrimp scampi appetizer and linguine with clams in white sauce for an entree. The sauce for the scampi was very good but the shrimp were blah. A bit small and lacking in any flavor. The real deal breaker was the linguine with clams. THERE WERE NO CLAMS IN THE SHELL IN THE DISH. THEY USED CHOPPED CLAMS! I was with a guest and did not want to cause a scene, so I went ahead and enjoyed the meal without calling out the server. I have been to the Daily Catch over the past 20 years. Northern Ave, Harvard Street in Brookline, etc. Mostly decent to very good meals. Now through I am afraid they have become another Boston/North End tourist trap.
(2)Christalina W.
The food gets 5 stars. I had the black pasta alfredo. It was unbelievable, and everyone must have this at least once in their lives! I gave it an overall 3 stars because the service was terrible and the lady was rude. They opened late, made everyone wait while she washed the windows, and was pretty rude to all the customers. I don't know if that's part of their "charm" but it certainly wasn't charming to me! Too bad because the food was delicious. PS. It's not very kid friendly and they only take cash.
(3)Dyan K.
As I am not a native of Boston, I expected great seafood when I moved here. Surprised at not finding much, I was very excited when I found the Daily Catch. It's probably the smallest restaurant in the North End, and perhaps the worst decorated. The service is very gruff, but I feel like it's almost an integral part of their atmosphere. There is one cook in the kitchen and you can see into the kitchen from any seat in the small 20 seat restaurant. I can't help but stare, because I really want to know how they cook such beautiful food. My personal favorites are the squid meatballs (which the chef told me are made of all squid, surprisingly), and the squid ink pasta aglio olio. Sometimes squid is difficult to impart with flavor, but the Daily Catch has that art down. They are both such unique concepts, unlike the marinara etc. pasta at almost every other Italian place, that I could cook in my own kitchen. I'm excited every time I go because I get to think about how they are making the food, and watch it too. It's a bit pricey, but worth it in my opinion. It's not the most romantic date spot, or best run restaurant, but it's truly a unique experience and food to match.
(5)Jeff M.
The food here is pretty good. To no surprise the seafood is high quality. But it is not good enough to justify waiting in the unbelievably long line for dinner. As a warning do not come here if you need to use the restroom or going out right from dinner. There is no bathroom in the Daily Catch and the kitchen is right in the dining room. You'll leave smelling like garlic and oil and in need of a shower.
(3)Millie S.
The food is the best aroind. We go atleast twice on every visit to Boston. Not good for kids. Atmosphere is nothing and cramped but I care more about the food than atmosphere.
(5)Karen S.
Yummy! We started with shrimp scampi appetizer and clams casino! Both awesome and we wanted to lick the plate! We then had linguine with clams in the white sauce and we loved that too! This is a cute quaint place with friendly staff and friendly people eating there! A must go to when in Boston!
(5)Erin C.
Very low key, simple place with fresh seafood pasta. Squid ink pasta is my favorite thing here. Everything we've had here is delicious and pretty reasonably priced. Only con: wait can be long because they don't take reservations and the restaurant is tiny. I would not come here with a large group. You can always have dessert first and munch on a cannoli while you wait.
(5)Ramon M.
Understanding that crowds in the North End can be vicious at night, I came here with a small group for a nice weekday lunch. The place itself is small and patrons should be able to observe the kitchen staff prepare their meal. Given that the place was pretty empty the staff engaged us in friendly banter and were very helpful in leading us through the menu. Like many other reviewers here I'd have to recommend the black ink pasta. Ordering enough pasta, shellfish, and appetizers for a group can be pricey, but it's certainly worth it if you appreciate quality seafood.
(5)Tracy H.
I really hate giving this place a 2 star since the food was arguably 4.5 stars, but I really don't think they should get away with such bad customer service. The older blonde waitress that worked on Sunday lunch 7/7/2013 was unbelievably rude to the poor couple seated next to us. We went on a Sunday afternoon just after opening and ended up waiting 75 minutes to get in. There were clean tables open but the older blonde waitress was moving so slowly that it took 10-15 minutes for her to get the orders out and begin seating people (why can't they have the busser help seat??) She looked kind of confused reading the slips and trying to figure out which food went to what table. We had a baked clam (amazing), calamari (decent enough), and squid ink pasta (was better the last time when the older Asian chef cooked it. This time the flavor just wasn't there). And this is when the drama happened - the poor couple next to us found a cigarette butt in their calamari and quietly complained to the waitress. The waitress didn't say anything and just left the calamari, cigarette butt and all on the table. Finally, after 50 minutes of the couple just sitting there, not touching their food, she came around and said "I'm sorry this happened, I've never seen it before" and never offered to take anything off the bill, make a new order or offer anything else in exchange. When they asked for the bill, the waitress yelled at them to sit tight and wait since she has customers to serve and took her sweet time going to the back register to take a breather. When the couple again asked for their check, the waitress (once again) yelled at them to just finish their food and then they'll get their check. After the 10 minutes of being yelled at by the waitress in front of all the restaurant diners, the couple said they're going to take their food to go and demanded to have the check right away. The waitress yelled at them some more to sit down and brought over a check for the full amount. The guy went over to the waitress and demanded to speak to management, and the waitress just said management wasn't there and that they'll have to call a telephone # to get their money back. The couple paid the bill and left 90% of their meal untouched in to go containers. The waitress quickly cleaned that away and pretended like nothing happened. Honestly Daily Catch, I know your food is good (for the most part, when the right chefs are cooking) and people wait for hours to get into your restaurant, but you shouldn't get away with egregiously bad customer service. Bullying your customers into paying for a fried cigarette butt and yelling at them in front of other diners is just bad practice. You really should have picked better wait staff. I don't care if the waitress is my grandma's age, you just don't yell at customers like they're garbage in front of a packed room full of diners, especially not when they've patiently waited 75 minutes and paid $90 for a fried cigarette butt and then waited another hour for an apology, a nice gesture, a new order of calamari, or just something small taken off the bill. My boyfriend and I felt awkward just being there so we quickly finished our food and left. Needless to say, we won't be coming back again thanks to the rude waitress.
(2)Ty P.
Most of the food was delicious. I really like the calamari (really like it!!) and meatball. The black pasta w/ the squid was yummo. Although I wasn't a fan of the black pasta w/ the cream sauce... that was only okay. The place is kinda small and the wait is long. They also serve water in plastic cups which I thought was kinda weird. Definitely would try again.
(4)Leslie P.
I'll be honest, and say there are a lof of aspects of this place that go against my values. First of all, the place is tiny and does not take reservations. There is no ambiance; in fact, we sat nearly in the kitchen itself. It's so small, that our coats and hair absorbed the food smell. The menu is not diverse - it's fish and seafood and pasta, and that's about it. They only accept cash, which I never carry. And it's expensive for a no-frills seafood joint. So, yes, it's a pain in the arse. That said, I love it. I am learning fast that these tiny little finds in Boston never take reservations, so I'll be going out a lot on Monday and Tuesday nights. We went on a Monday night and it was empty. Two out of the three tables they have were open. We ordered the shrimp scampi as a starter, basically because I do not like mussels, clams, or calamari. It may have been the best shrimp scampi I have ever had. I have heard people talk about sauces that are so good they could bathe in it. Now I finally get it. For my entree, I ordered the hallibut special. It was pan-seared served with pasta in lemon and caper sauce. The hallibut was prepared perfectly; the pasta was al dente; the sauce was wonderful as well. I also tried the black pasta putanesca. I'm not a huge olive fan, but it was prepared perfectly, and the black pasta was perfect. It's a huge portion, so consider sharing entrees, especially if you're having starters. I love this place. I'll be back, and I can't wait to try the Monkfish Marsala next (among other things!).
(5)Kyra T.
This is a bare bones operation. On a terribly busy Saturday night, you'll find 8 tables cramped in a 20 by 20 space (if that), one waiter, 1 cook, 1 prep/washer, and 20 very hungry patrons. This place operates like a well-oiled machine. There are no reservations, its first come first serve. So be prepared to wait in line patiently outside the door for a table. While waiting for a table, you can place your order so as soon as you do acquire a table your food will be ready. Tables are pushed together because of lack of room, so you'll be dining very close to people next to you. The menu boasts many seafood delights, mussels, lobster, halibut, scrod, scallops, shrimp. Their specialty is their homemade 'black ink pasta'. I wasn't adventurous enough to try it but the people around me said it was the best stuff on earth. We ordered the mussels- Italian style-- which we perfectly done to perfection and also the shrimp scampi. I suggest you ask for extra bread for dipping into the scampi sauce! The entrees were generous portions, and often would come out on the skillet that it was cooked in (nice touch). This place is a must for any seafood lovers out there.
(4)Eric Y.
the place is fantastic! not pretentious at all, pretty small joint, you're pretty much elbow to elbow with the people next table but hey the food is great! we ordered black pasta, calamari balls and lobster fra diavolo (LOBSTAHH! ok i can't resist haha..) the calamari balls was good but if i were to come back, i'll save my tummy space for other things. we didn't know the lobster fra diavolo comes with pasta as well, the portion for the main dish were pretty big, we could have shared one pasta dish for 3 people? between the black pasta and lobster fra diavolo i prefer the lobster but it IS much pricier than the black pasta. but then again if you had to wait outside in the cold for 45 minutes o well i'll order the best thing off the menu then hmm~ anyways both are good, it's a matter of preference i guess (and how much are you willing to spend).
(5)Elaina L.
Where do I begin? From the line, perhaps. It was a 35 minute wait and the place is extremely tiny - seating about 20. If you get the chair of death, which is the one against a wall and connected to 3 other tables, you literally have to squeeze yourself behind 3 chairs before you can get out. On to the food! Black pasta, black pasta. It was all the rave in the reviews! Oh, it looked so tantalizing in the Yelp pictures, and I was drooling when the food arrived on our table still in the frying pan. Saves time - we didn't care. We were here for the taste. Boyfriend takes a bite of the black pasta in Aglio Olio sauce and.. doesn't say anything. "How is it?" I nudge him excitedly. He looks confused. "What does it taste like?" "It tastes like nothing to me," he finally answers. Black Pasta comes with squid and your choice from 3 sauces: 1) Putanesca 2) Alfredo 3) Aglio Olio. We asked the waiter which sauce he recommended and he said Aglio Olio was the popular choice. In my opinion, the squid in the black pasta was very salty and tasted like XO sauce - It wasn't bad, but the actual noodles were very dry, hard and the overall dish was oily. Anyone else experience the same taste as me? Back me up here folks! In all honesty, I was really confused over the shining reviews given to this dish by others! I almost wanted to jump out of my chair, wave my arms to the people waiting outside, and scream "save yourselves from the wait! The hype isn't real!" Alas, I actually enjoyed my scallops linquine in white sauce more than the Black Pasta in Aglio Olio, though it wasn't a stunner and also very oily. All in all, I was sad and disappointed afterwards :( But I gave it 2 stars because the waiter was definitely overworked and the only guy on staff, but was still really nice and had time to chat with me! Thanks! And the chef behind the grill was the only one working and cooking all the orders, so power to you! I really wished I had enjoyed my meal here, but I don't think I'd chance it again by waiting in line for another disappointing meal. Bon voyage!
(2)Cindy W.
There was a huge wait in line -- probably 40 minutes on a Thursday night. The squid ink pasta was tasty but it was SWIMMING in olive oil. I literally had to take my pasta out and eat it on another plate. Cute environment but it houses at most 20 people! They should definitely expand considering that they are so popular.
(3)G U.
Good food. Its a small restaurant so you have to go before or after the lunch or dinner rush otherwise you will be waiting. They don't take reservations Had the blood ink noodles and scallop noodles. You get to see the cook make everything fresh.
(4)Nick B.
I really want to eat here everyday. It is a super small place and you have to wait. So get over that before you head out. However, it is well worth it. The place has this non-pretentious European feel. Where you know you are getting the most amazing quality food. The squid ink pasta was killer and having a bottle of wine with your meal for not a million dollars made it an epic experience. I highly highly recommend this place.
(5)Igor S.
If you like to seat with strangers and watch your food prepared - bingo! This place is a size of an average living room. Includes 1 chef, 1 waiter and one bus boy. Table arrangements vary. Place is cash only. But the calamari meatballs and black pasta are to die for. That's why every time I'm in Boston I go to the North End, find an ATM and get my place in line to dine here.
(4)Vivian L.
There seems to be a great imbalance between food quality and service in this restaurant. My family and I got to the restaurant before the huge line hit on the friday evening, with only one lady and her family ahead of us. We waited a good amount of time before the waiter inside even took notice of us and reassured us of our place in line. In fact a third lady literally walked into the middle of the restaurant before the waiter actually acknowledged those waiting outside. One would think that a restaurant who have seen busy days so often will have a more organized waiting system. At least provide a sign saying line this way or take a number, or just come out quickly and ask us how many are in our party? Nope none of that. When we finally got seated we ordered the alfredo squid ink pasta, puttanesca squid ink pasta, and a calamari clam combo. Both squid pastas were ok, but the sauces outshone the novelty of the squid ink pasta. I found that the ink may have made the pasta too tough, more than al dente. The calamari clam combo in white sauce though was quite good, and better than the squid ink dishes in my opinion. However despite the good food, I certainly didn't enjoy the wait it took to get it. Like another reviewer pointed out, the cook waited for all the orders to be collected so he can push the food out all at once. Though this is convenient for the cook it is unfair to customers who have arrived first, and even more unfair to the slowly forming line outside who could have gotten to eat faster if the cook was not only working for his own convenience. Overall this restaurant has 4 star food (and price), but also 2 star service, which averages out their review score to 3.
(3)Emily H.
You must try their squid ink pasta with chopped garlic and clams! Fresh handmade pasta, you can really taste the freshness of the dough. Oh, and that garlic and clam topping--DELICIOUS. I couldn't tell if I was eating roasted garlic or clams, but I didn't care, it was all so good. Unless you're sharing for more than 3 people, no need to get the entrée portion. The appetizer portion will be more than enough. It's a small little establishment with no more than 30 seats squished together, so come alone, with one other person, or be prepared to wait.
(5)Brian F.
The restaurant was good but I wouldn't go out of my way. The staff was friendly enough but seemed inexperienced about the menu. I had a steamed lobster which was great but I tried their special lobster diavalo and thought that the dish was overcooked and I just didn't get the spiciness with such a delicately flavored meat. Excellent dishes were the black pasta and tiramisu..
(3)Isa D.
I wish it was possible to give this place 3.5 stars; I decided to round up. I liked the very fresh seafood and delicious pasta, but the wait was too long! Plan on coming about an hour before you get hungry, and you'll be seated just in time... in very cramped seating. I had the squid ink pasta in puttanesca sauce, which was very good, but I thought the vegetables needed to be cut into smaller pieces because sauce for linguine should not be so chunky. Food portions were generous and so it was a good value. Very friendly service. Remember to have cash!
(4)Ada L.
Came here on a Tuesday night during my last trip to Boston. I heard about the long lines, but there were empty tables when we arrived (early evening). We ordered the Squid Ink Pasta Aglio Olio and Lobster Fra Diavolo. This was more than enough food between two people (we had plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day). The squid ink pasta was perfectly cooked in the tasty garlic, squid, and olive oil sauce. The only downside was that there was too much oil. The lobster dish was huge and a must-order. Aside from the lobster, it also came with shrimp, calamari, mussels, and clams on a bed of linguine. Service was okay. It's a small restaurant, so it's not difficult to get the staff's attention. The food came out pretty fast. They validate parking in a nearby structure, so parking comes out to only $3 (for around 3 hours I think). I'm glad I got to try out the food here. Would love to come back again for the Lobster Fra Diavolo.
(4)Rongkuan X.
Very nice Italy restaurant. The calamany is wonderful and so is the lobster. The only flaw is it is too small and need to line a long time.
(4)Duke W.
Worst wait staff experience of my life tonight. It's a small place and we were seated by the stove, and the smell and sound was irritating my friend. A table opened up and we asked if we could move over to the open table. The waiter refused very gruffly, then, clearly upset, kept making rude comments to us and berating us for asking. We decided to leave. He gave a fake apology as we were walking out, but when we said we were leaving he yelled a few more rude things at us from across the restaurant. Through this whole scene the whole staff was watching but no one intervened. Arrogant and unprofessional. I still have no idea what set him off. Too bad, the food looked good. Just don't go if that guy is working.
(1)wendy q.
My friend and I ended up here after Neptune Oyster Bar was completely booked solid and was one of those instances of pure serendipity (okay -- maybe a lil' Yelp-facilitated recommendations played into it too). After waiting for about 20 minutes (there's no list to put your name down at), we were seated at a table where the menu was on the wall written out on a chalkboard. We split a Lobster Fra Diavolo between the two of us and we both walked away very happily full (it's basically 1.25 lobsters + mussels + clams + shrimp + squid and other goodies mixed in a bed of pasta tossed in olive oil and garlic) -- was definitely the right choice for us (the other dishes looked good but nowhere close to as amazing as the lobster fra diavolo). You can also choose to get squid ink pasta instead, but the server recommended it the traditional way if it was your first time. The service was also impeccable -- there was only one guy but he made sure that each guest was well attended to and took the time to actually talk to you when he had a moment. The decor is simple and there's no wall between the 8 or so tables and the kitchen so don't come expecting candles and white table cloths -- would come back here again!
(5)Allison C.
Another long-line-but-worth-it tourist and local trap! If you're not down with a little grunge (it's a little dirty in the back kitchen near the restaurant bathroom) and cramped spaces though, then you should visit their sister restaurant across the city for a more formal dining experience. If you are down for the grunge (and who isn't, time to time!), then the Daily Catch is a fun adventure. The place specializes in seafood pastas. I would recommend ordering a small order of fried calamari (light and lemony, not too oily) for the table, then each person ordering her/his own entrée. We had the popular black pasta with squid (rich, filling), the haddock fish with marinara pasta (terrific texture and flavor on the fish - you get a whole one too!), and the scallop linguine with the white garlic oil clam sauce (delicate balance, generous portion). Mostly everything is served in the pan it was cooked in, by the way. Sizzling hot! To get seated in one go, I recommend getting in line at least a half hour before it opens. The restaurant seats about 20 people, so if you're 21st in line, get ready to wait an additional 45 minutes. People will wait too, in rain, heat, snow... you name it, they're there says the owner. And oh, the menu is on the wall. Chalkboard, and that's it!
(4)Jenn Z.
Delicious squid ink pasta though I would recommend the aglio over the putanesca one. The bread; however, can taste a bit stale. Out of the few times I've been here, the service has been consistently inattentive and I often had to explicitly request for water, check, etc.
(3)Kristina N.
Waited outside on the first frosty day of autumn to get into the only crowded restaurant in North End. We got the clams and calamari in red sauce, ink pasta with white sauce and ink pasta with puttanesca. The place is small, so we sat right next to the cook who doled out slabs of pasta straight from the pan, and next to the register where one of the three staff members helped us out with extra napkins and insisted we take another spoon. The pasta was good, I liked my red sauce and the homemade squid ink pasta was thick and just the right amount of chewy. The portions are also humongous-- even after overeating I had to take home half of the dish.
(4)Fatma C.
I was amazingly surprised by the food over there. Pasta with sea food is incredibly good. The service is quick but the only bad thing is the lack of space.
(4)Dario I.
Overrated, yet not too expensive. Fish is decent, but their marinara sauce is crap. Pure dog food. Won't recommend it, unless desperate
(2)Fancypants X.
Come 5pm in the North End, crowds move from the cannoli line to the pasta line. The wait can be up to 90 minutes at the real popular places. Too hungry & impatient for that mess, we lined up behind just two parties at Daily Catch & 15 minutes later, the three of us were crammed in, sharing a table with another trio. I wanted something small & cheap-ish, so I went for the shrimp scampi. Six large shrimp swimming in butter, garlic & butter. Delicious! Grab extra bread (nice & crusty) & keep soppin' up that buttah sauce until the restaurant has to call your cardiologist.
(4)Alice H.
After watching the Boston episode of Bizarre Foods America, I was especially excited to swing by The Daily Catch. Whenever I see a menu with an al nero di seppia or tinta de calamar pasta dish, I just have to have it... especially here at The Daily Catch, where the infamous black pasta stars in the center of the chalkboard menu. I ordered the appetizer portion of the homemade black pasta prepared aglio olio. Though literally translated as "garlic and oil," the pasta aglio olio here is so much more. The perfectly al dente pasta was coated in garlicky, flavorful sauteed ground squid and glistening (but not greasy) with olive oil. The pasta itself was hand-pulled with a thickness reminiscent of udon and sharing its chewy and firm texture. SO FREAKING GOOD. We also got a small order of the fried calamari and a side of marinara sauce. You really can't go wrong with fried calamari, but the one here is pretty stellar. The crunchy batter was not too thick or grainy, the squid was fresh (the body was cut into strips and not those rubbery pre-cut frozen rings), and there were plenty of leg/tentacle pieces to fight over. Frankly, if I lived anywhere near the North End, you can bet I'd be lunching here on a daily basis. The dishes we ordered were delicious and I appreciated the no-frills atmosphere. Just remember to bring cash (and lots of it if you plan to experience the Lobster Fra Diavolo at about $75 for 2). The restaurant is a teeny, tiny shoebox that seats no more than 20 people at any given time, so plan smart - don't take your whole entourage here, just a BFF or two. Enjoy!
(5)John S.
Unique experience with great food waiting at the end of the line. Impeccable service. Sit in the back next to the kitchen if you want an education. No trip to Boston can be complete without a stop here.
(5)Ami P.
FRIED CALAMARI IS BOMB. It melts in your mouth and it was better than the one in giacomos I had the night before! My friend and I ordered the entree of the black squid pasta with aglio olio and it was SO INTERESTING! It was thicker and harder And the more we ate it the more we wanted it. The waiter was so awesome and friendly as well and I will definitely recommend it
(5)Kim D.
This was my first meal when I landed last week. I ordered the cherrystone clams, black pasta with chopped squid, and shared a bottle of barbera amongst friends. First of all...this place is packed like most places in the North End. We got in and this place is tiny. You're basically eating next/in the kitchen. Very homey and get used to eating close to other strangers. One good thing about this place is service is fast. Ex the plates they serve you the whole pan it was cooked in. The raw clams were refreshing. Definitely my favs everytime I'm in the East Coast. Then the black pasta was "interesting." I've never had it so I didn't know what to expect. It was indeed different but nothing life altering. My friend had the puntanesca version of it which was a lot better than what I had. The squid was just sauteed with garlic which was ok but I felt it lacked flavor that paired well with the pasta. I'd definitely go back to this place if I could. I'd have to come back and share the lobster dish though. It was HUGE. Oh..and the mussels looked amazing!
(4)Diane H.
When I found out the daily catch had squid ink pasta, i was ecstatic! I was like finally! a place that has it! I first tried it in italy...and i never thought the usa would have it! Anyways, i was sooo pumped to try it...it's a very expensive pasta dish i might say. I've had bad experiences in the north end, so i was hoping that this won't be the same... This past friday i went, it was a little after 7, and there was just two parties in front of us. We waited maybe 15 mins. The place is SMALL. And we sat right by the window...and it's like this table was placed on a big...tile box..where there is literrally no leg room. My friend was turned sideways just so she fits..there was 3 inches in front of her for her legs....yeah who's gonna fit in that?! The kitchen is open, we got our food really quick....and the server never checked up on us except to bring the food. he's friendly, but you know servers needa know how to act yenno. We ordered the fried calamari- it was just okay. i've had way better calamari... it wasn't like fresh fresh ones i've had at other seafood places. little necks clam- very good... 1/2 dozen for i think 13$? aglio olio (black ink pasta) BIGGEST letdown of all...it was quite dry..flavorless, with lots of garlic so it smells nice but i can barely taste anything.. i dont know what everyone is raving about... i've had better pasta...my friend who has been on a carb free diet was so excited to eat this..and she was soo dissapointed. i dont think i'll be returning..it's just really cramped and.. overly hyped and i hate hate hate the cash only thing... like come on....it's an expensive place, who carries that much cash around??
(2)Steve A.
I live in the North End, and decided to finally give the Daily Catch a try. I know the restaurant is small and decided to go early so we didn't have to wait in line. I checked their website to see when they opened - 11 AM. Upon arrival at 11 AM - we were greeted by a nasty man who yelled - we don't open until 12:00. Being in this business for my entire life, I know how difficult it is, and know that you may change your hours of operation, but it's not difficult to update your website, and being nice can go a long way. Needless to say, I now have no desire to try the Daily Catch. My advice - save your money for restauranteurs who want your business, not those who rest their laurels on the their popularity based on the various travel guides they are featured in.
(1)Jasmin V.
This place is super tiny but luckily we got here when there was no wait. Some of the tables are a shared community table. *Cash only Calamari Platter- It gave a sample of all the calamari. I was not a big fan of the meatballs or the calamari salad. Black pasta Aglio Olio- Very good! Strong garlic flavor but I love garlic. A bit oily but I didn't mind. I would definitely get this again and recommend this as a MUST get!!
(5)Naohiro N.
I come here every time I visit Boston, BEST seafood pasta in USA!! Fried calamari is just exquisite, and "small" size is enough for a regular appetizer size. I had homemade squid ink pasta with sautéed ground squid, garlic, and olive oil but OHMAN it was so good. Usually squid ink pastas are drippy but pasta here was not, it had nice thickness and a perfected aldente, and ground squid just soaks up so much flavor it was so good!! I highly recommend this place!!
(5)Veronica H.
Firstly, know that if you want to eat here, you will be waiting...outside....for about an hour, if not longer (our wait was around 90 minutes on a Saturday night). That being said, if you love great Italian/seafood and an old world approach to dining, this place is worth the wait. Our table ordered the black pasta, pan-seared swordfish and lobster fra diavolo....and omg it was wicked delicious!!!! I do not have one bad thing to say about our meal. It was plenty to feed four healthy appetites. My favorite had to be the swordfish though. The flavors were outstanding! I definitely recommend this restaurant if you're visiting Boston and the only thing that prevents me giving it five stars is the wait time.
(4)Xiao Z.
I've never entered a restaurant with so much anticipation and hope, but left with a belly full of distaste, discomfort and disappointment. I've lived in Boston for nearly 10 years, and I've heard of the famed "squid-ink pasta" for as long as I can remember, but just have not had the time nor the patience to wait in the long lines to sample the famed pasta dishes. Arriving just 30 minutes after the lunch hours started, my family and I waited in the bitter cold for nearly an hour, as the groups before and after us were ushered in without a word of consolation or concern. When we tried to ask the waitress about the wait time, she dismissively and rudely told us to wait outside until she comes out and grabs us. Embarrassed to leave after waiting for an hour, I waited until nearly half of the restaurant cleared out before we were seated. However, once we sat, the waitress rushed our orders and even chastised me for ordering insufficient dishes for the group and gave me an "I told you so" when I asked to taste another smaller plate of the squid ink pasta. Regardless of how the food tasted, I was embarrassed to have brought my parents to such a crowded and tiny establishment where we were rudely treated in every step of the way. The food may have been good in retrospect, albeit a bit expensive for the size portions. The squid-ink pasta with anchovie oil was a bit too salty for our taste, but the garlic-olive oil version was much more palatable and the noodles were chewy and delicious. The $20 calamari dish was delicious as well, although, like the previous statement, wished there were more seafood than french fries... Overall, my experience here was horrific and I wouldn't recommend this place for any parties larger than 4 people, because you will NOT be seated at any reasonable times. One of the rare cases where the services ruined everything.
(1)K. Brooke Z.
You will undoubtedly get more food than you can (or should) eat in a sitting. We ordered the calamari variety platter which was an adventure all on its own. I would stick to the more traditional calamari afterwards, but I'm so glad I tried all the different ways to prepare it! It will not disappoint. We did a pasta main dish and the lemony sauce was AWESOME. You may need to ask for extra napkins because our noodles left super saucy chins as we ate it up. Be prepared to wait and be prepared to rub elbows with your neighbors. The location packs in as many people as possible in what feels like a 10x10 room. Luckily, the crowd is a nice one!
(5)Julie T.
I thought this place was a little overhyped personally. Its a very small place where the kitchen is open to the dining room. We were lucky and there was less than a 10 min wait for a table of four. Our waiter was nice and down to business. We got the black pasta aglio olio and the puntasecca style. Half the table prefered the aglio olio, while the other half liked the puntasecca. It was good, but I wasn't blown away by it. The calamari and mussels were also pretty good. I guess I was just expecting more, been eating in the north end, some amazing pastas and seafood and this one just didn't meet my expectations. Not a bad place though. I like how they give you the pastas in the pan and they are definitely generous enough portions to share!
(3)Nida K.
There's a lesson to be learned here: Don't judge a restaurant by its' size. The Daily Catch is tiny. So tiny that you're practically eating in the kitchen. Although you're eating in close quarters and are probably sharing the table with strangers, there is something in the air that makes you feel at ease. Perhaps it's the aroma of the food or the mom and pop feel to it. The menu is written in chalk on the wall and they have a wide variety of seafood dishes. I've recently discovered how delicious squid ink is so we went with the Black Ink Alfredo. Who knew squid ink would taste so good? It's kinda weird to think about eating it... If I didn't know any better, I would think it's poisonous or something. The Clams Casino was another dish our server recommended and we scoped it out from the party sitting next to us. It looked good so we ordered it, and it didn't disappoint. Both dishes were absolutely delicious. You can tell that the seafood was fresh and the right effort was put forward into our food. It's a great restaurant to experience seafood in Boston if you've got a small party. Get the Black Pasta, it's their specialty!
(4)Judy R.
Horrible customer service. The puttanesca was marginal, extremely greasy....got sick that night and next day. Have to say my husband did like his linguine with clams and he loved it, that's why I'm giving it a two. I make puttanesca ...mine is much better.
(2)Gavin P.
Come alone to get a seat faster... Large groups beware. This place serves fresh of the boat seafood, mostly calamari. No lobster here. The squid ink fresh pasta with calamari was amazing! and everything is served right in the skillet so its hot and fast. The staff is amazingly sweet, and helpful. Despite the huge work load they have to carry they are amazingly upbeat and organized. They know what they are doing! The restaurant only holds about 16-20 people, and the line for a seat can take up to an hour. HINT: if you want to try this place out, go as a single. You will get a seat much faster.
(4)Catherine D.
I have taken every single visitor here. My favorite is the Black Pasta Aglio Olio--amazing and unique. But honestly, everything is just delicious. The kitchen and dining room share the same space. There is very little room--just seven or eight tables. However, all this really adds to the charm. When the food is this spectacular who cares if you are drinking wine from plastic cups. The service is very casual and friendly.
(5)April A.
On a whim my husband and I came here with his parents. This was a very pleasant surprise. Yes, it's a hole-in-wall place. However, the food is spectacular. The parents got the homemade black pasta-- perfectly al dente with a yummy Alfredo that wasn't too heavy. My husband and I both got linguini with the red sauce (calamari and shrimp, respectively). The waitress asked if we wanted "spicy" and we both said yes. Glad we did. It was the perfect heat-- didn't make you sweat/cry, but just a little assault on the tongue. As far as service goes, yes the waitress was a little gruff. But really, it's a business and people need to be to the point to keep the orders rolling and tables turning for the next customer. If I'm ever back in the North End, I'll go back!
(5)Amado V.
The server is a sweetheart!
(5)Amy S.
PERFECTION. The calamari. The shrimp + linguine in red sauce. It's legit perfection. This place is delicious omg i love it. there's only one chef and he does EVERYTHING and when you're watching it looks like "omg he's so busy and does so much by himself it'll probably be just okay" but it's like super good. I miss this place.
(5)DJ S.
I have been going to the place for several years, and it is still one of my favorite restaurants. The place has great outdoor seating with great view of the water and financial district. The black pasta and fra diavolo is a must order. Monk fish marsala and fried calamari is great too.
(4)Ed K.
Very fresh food cooked right in front of you. You're basically sitting in the kitchen with the chef. They warn you ahead of time that they only take cash. I've never had calamari need called and they were pretty interesting. Very tasty but I still prefer classic beef pork and veal. It's a little bit of a bummer that you have to drink a $10 glass of wine in a plastic cup. The pasta was a little too al dented but got better as we sat for a while. The pasta portion is huge so it's enough for two people at least.
(4)Elise K.
The Daily Catch might be the perfect small family business. We arrived for an early dinner and found this place almost full right at opening (of course they only have about eight tables). The fresh bread was fantastic but then we tried the calamari... to die for. Likely the best I've had in a long long time... We even saw them scooping it out of the bucket - something one might find gross, but seeing the product pre-breaded proved it was super fresh. I had a linguine with a white wine garlic sauce with shrimp and scallops. The dish was perfectly cooked and garlic heaven for me. It also had fresh broccoli. My boyfriend had the handmade black pasta and our friend had a scallop and linguine dish with red sauce. All were superb. We had leftovers... a lot of them.... I particularly loved that we were literally sitting in the kitchen - no frills. The place really treats customers and staff like family. While we were there the little old lady had a dish and even the dishwasher had something. I recall the little old lady saying "Jose is hungry, make him something good to eat."
(5)Alex K.
If you go to Little Italy in the North End of Boston... You have to come here. This was my favorite dining experience of all of my visits to Boston. The open kitchen with all the smells and flames coming from it just a few feet away, the mom and son operation that can be very entertaining, the small 16 seats in a cramped 'everybody's eating together whether you like it or not' atmosphere, and the food... the incredibly simple and outstanding Italian food make this an experience you must have if you visit. There is so much character to this restaurant. I was lucky to have been with 3 other food fanatics who loved to share so I got to try a good amount of everything on the menu. We started off with the calamari sampler, and the oil/lemon raw calamari was my favorite and the surprise for me of this meal was the calamari meatball. I could not believe how delicious that was with a little red sauce. The ink pasta aglia olio is to die for. TO DIE FOR. Be prepared to have garlic in your mouth for some time. We also had the haddock, a mild tasting white fish baked, the pasta is always on point whether it's cooked in just white sauce, the richest, creamiest alfredo, or with seafood. I wish I could come here once a week.. I'm so hungry now.
(5)Arlen C.
I am a NYC Girl and have eaten fried calamari all over Manhattan, including Little Italy. But, Daily Catch beats them all! The meat is juicy and sweet, cooked to perfection. The light crispy crust hugs every morsel of calamari. When you bite into it , the crispy crust melts in your mouth adding to the flavor of the calamari. It is also served hot! The food here is made with the freshest ingredients , and a lot if passion. A formula you can't beat. The black pasta was superb and the meatless calamari meat balls are a home run. I can't wait to try the rest of the menu. Stay on line. It is worth the wait!
(5)Wendelin R.
Seats 20 - worth the wait and worth remembering to get cash. Visiting Boston and a friend recommended the restaurant. Glad I came! One waiter, one cook and one busser. Very efficient team. The alfredo black pasta was incredible and worth a return trip.
(5)Brett H.
Not a very big place in fact I walked right past it trying to find it. Got a seat and saw there menu board on the wall. A lot of great items to choose from but I went simple with the shrimp and pasta. After getting water and bread (it seems like they only serve water or wine), I got the dish on the actual pan it was cooked on (kinda cool). It was tough at first to eat as everything was extremely hot but it was delicious. The sauce was what made this dish. Truly homemade and great with bread once you are done. This place is cash only so be ready for that.
(4)jasmin t.
Disclaimer: this is my first italian meal in Boston. We order the Clam casino- more please!!!! Thjnk we went an off night for their black pasta, the pasta was undercooked. If the texture was right, this would have been amazing!!!! Then again the place was empty, which I hear is abnormal. I would def go back and give it another try. The clam casino alone is worth it.
(4)Shell S.
The yummiest meal ever! We had scallops and the shrimp pasta. I have to go back. A must do when in Boston. Cash only! Worth it!
(5)Joseph N.
Walked by Hanover Street and saw a huge line outside The Daily Catch, so I wanted to see what the fuss was all about. 1- The food overpriced for such a small portion. 2- Cash only. REALLY? 3- Owner/manager thought he was a badass version of Mark Wahlberg, but had a worse IQ than the Kardashians combined. He didn't know how to answer any question. 4- The Calamari platter I ordered looked like it was someone's leftovers and fried again. 5- Place was tiny and smelly. Honestly, so overrated. Nothing but a waste of your time and money! I had to give one star because I can't rate it as zero.
(1)Nhi P.
It's small. It's crowded. The wait was over an hour long. BUT IT WAS SO WORTH IT. *nostalgic sigh* Walking by The Daily Catch, you wonder what all the fuss is about. -It's a small restaurant; only about five tables, with room for (at most) six people at the largest tables. -It's run by three guys: the cook, the server/cashier/host, and the dishwasher. -It's got a line down to the block... But when you sit down and get your food -- OMG. My boyfriend and I both tried The Daily Catch for the first time and I think we both fell in love. We had the Black Ink Squid Pasta, the Monkfish Marsala, and the Sicilian Style Mussels. It was all amazing, especially the Black Ink Squid Pasta. I could literally spend days eating that and not get bored of it -- even if I have garlic breath for all eternity. Breath mints are plenty; pasta that delicious is rare. The service is really great and everyone moved so fast! I don't think they paused at all that night. Our waiter was on top of things the entire time and had such a loud, awesome personality. And watching the chef in action was amazing; it was almost like a dance, he tossed, sauteed, cooked everything to perfection, multiple dishes at once... But my words can't do this place justice, you need to try this place out yourself. This is something you have to try, at least, once. I'll definitely come back my next visit to Boston.
(5)Jen H.
Went around 2:30pm on a weekday so there was neither a line nor a wait. The dining area is insanely cramped, so fellow righties, don't sit on the left side of a lefty. Very friendly service (not just by Boston standards, truly friendly), as were the other guests. Then again, being so cramped basically means the other guests are your table-mates. At least you don't have to share dipping sauces. Food was excellent.
(5)Rachel R.
The Daily Catch was so memorable that I can only fully recount the experience by means of poetry. I'm thinking in haikus. Four tables, maybe. tiny but inviting dive - almost romantic. Tribute to the squid: meatballs, pastas, rings, salads - each choice intriguing. Handmade, black pasta. savory, ground squid pieces - soaks warm, crusty bread. Served in a skillet: rustic, homey, fragrant bowl - garlic, olive oil. Holy shit, I'm so full. but, this was twenty four bucks, so - shut up, finish it.
(4)Mark R.
Black pasta and lobster fra diavolo - this was excellent, the pasta was a bit different and really added to the meal. I challenge you to try similar dishes at other restaurants. My girlfriend and I have been making the rounds and Daily Catch's mixed seafood dish has been one of the top. The atmosphere is very unique and exciting. Its small, but you get to watch three people run a restaurant and make excellent food. Worth the waiting outside, you can always run across the street and grab a canole for a couple of bucks.
(4)Don C.
I'm going to be honest here, I redownloaded Yelp just so that I can write a negative review about this place. Don't get me wrong, the food is great here. The service is just horrible. The lady that seemed to be the owner talked to me in a manner that showed that she neither cared or wanted our business. Not only was she rude, she was obnoxiously loud. It was the #1 on my list of bad service. Never in my 33 years of life been talked to like that by a waitress/waiter or owner. Just ruined my meal altogether.
(1)blake w.
This place is so understated and so incredible. From the waitstaff to the chef they are so incredible at what they do. It almost makes you feel guilty getting such service and value for a steal of a price. You will fell like you have died and gone to heaven!
(5)Changun S.
Recommend to eat here early dinner or for lunch on wkdays to avoid crowds/wait.... Worth it, really gd squid ink and garlic clams linguini....don't expect white tablecloth service but an overall great experience!!
(5)Jenna M.
My friend and I came here on a hot summer day and ate delicious summery seafood pasta with shrimp and scallops in a garlicky white wine sauce. It was a simple dish, yet so flavorful! The shrimp and scallops were perfectly cooked. We ate baked clams as an appetizer, which was also delicious. My friend gave the Daily Catch only three stars on yelp because the seating was uncomfortable and we were sweating while eating. Don't come here on a date or if you want to spend a couple hours and enjoy the ambience. It is a no frills old school Italian joint with great, fresh food, a small menu that changes with the seasons and minimal table service. But for me, the food is the most important aspect of a yelp rating, so this place warrants four stars!
(4)Kristine R.
I've lived in the North End for over 3 years and I do not like standing outside in line for food BUT only for The Daily Catch I will! All I have to say is: Squid Ink Pasta. Totally a fan - give it a try at least once!
(5)Luna D.
Unreasonable long line and expensive foods...the service is so bad and lobster is cooked distastefully...no idea why it is rated with 4 star...very bad experience to be honest
(2)Bob D.
Stellar.....a really fun and tasty experience....flew in from Chicago and found TDC on yelp....it is small...really small but that is part of its charm....everything was so fresh. Started with an order off Clams Casino....best CC I have ever had...big clams, perfectly breaded and broiled.....then my friend and I ordered full orders of the black pasta In garlic and linguine in white sauce with clams and calamari. We shared these dishes. Great value too. With a couple beers and wines the bill was $88. There is no where in Chicago serving up that quality of food at that price. Highly recommend
(5)Chakhay S.
I've eaten seafood up and down the east coast but I have never had such amazing dishes as I did from here. Whenever I try a new restaurant, especially one that's far from me, I always try to sample as much as possible to really get a good idea of food. I chose the calamari sampler to start off and it was amazing. The calamari was crisp and the meat itself was plump and juicy. The calamari meatball was different than a normal meatball. It had a seafood flavor and it was more tender than a normal meatball. The squid salad was so good, I'm sure the next time I go I'm gonna order 2 salads to start. It's made in a cerviche style and that allows for the meat to retain that great texture and freshness. It's such a simple dish but they do it so well. The Sicilian Mussels were so good. That broth that it comes in could have been poured into a shoe and I'd still eat it. All the garlic and herbs really bring out the mussels flavor without overpowering them. At one point I was just drinking the broth out of the shells. Some people overlook simple things such as how seafood was prepared, but not me, I noticed that they took the time to make sure the mussels were cleaned properly. I like that. This restaurant is best known for their squid ink pasta and I have to say, it did not disappoint. We chose the minced calamari with garlic and oil to really keep it simple and taste the pasta. That minced calamari and the garlic.... yum. It's amazingly savory. I ended up putting that on the bread, the clam chowder, and eventually just eating it by the spoonful. Serving it in the same pan it was cooked in it gives such a great atmosphere to your meal. But then again, the restaurant is small so you're right next to your food while they cook it. It's cozy and it brings people together while you eat. That's what good food does to you, it makes you happy. The food was so good that I wanted more to try. I ordered the clam chowder and got the last bowl, IT WAS FATE!!! Good thing I ordered it because it was a great sample of what Boston Clam Chowder is all about. The creaminess of the soup and the texture of the clams and potatoes. Not even small potatoes, CHUNKS of potatoes. It wasn't salty and the balance of herbs and seasoning made that soup so enjoyable. That richness of the soup with the meatiness of the clams really made the meal, especially with the snow falling outside. Such a great comfort food to make you so happy towards the end of a meal. The place is small and could easily be overlooked, but trust me, go to Boston, go to Daily Catch, and be totally glad you did.
(5)Sean C.
I give 5 stars for the pasta, but only 2 stars for the service..... I went to The Daily Catch few times. I do love their pasta, but the service is really bad. Now, I reather to order togo, I don't like to eat-in..
(3)Marcy Z.
An event! Show up around 4ish and you'll get right in, drinks served in small plastic cups, not really a "refill" place. You can watch everything being prepared, menu up on chalkboard...wait staff devoured their meals while working and that ALWAYS makes me feel like eating what they are! Clams casino, black pasta aglio olio, vinegarette tuna were our plates. We did not lick the plates but it was tempting! Plates are offered "appetizer sized".
(5)Rebecca Y.
The Aglio Olio was great! Their calamari was good too but I enjoy Giacomo's calamari better due to the pickled hot sweet peppers they add to their calamari, adding some nice tang and spice to it. I like how this place is no-friils, yet not unfriendly. I would definitely come back again.
(4)Deanna D.
The Daily Catch was a total disappointment from start to finish. I know its on Hanover St. so I should have know better since it was bound to be a tourist trap. The concept seems great but the execution is poor. The restaurant is not very clean especially considering you can see right into the kitchen. The place is tiny so we got there right when it opened and the it filled up quickly. It took forever to place our order and then even longer for the food to come out. The wait wouldn't be a problem if the food was actually good but unfortunately it was not. The The fried calamari was nothing special. The Aglio Olio (squid ink linguine sauteed with ground squid) was good but not great. The pasta was actually pretty solid and the sauce was flavorful but nothing special. The Shrimps, Scallops and Broccoli in a white wine sauce was really weak. The fact that they charge $25 for boxed pasta with a few shrimp and scallops tossed in weak wine sauce is a shame. Bottom line: skip the tourist trap and mediocre food. You can definitely get better Italian food in the Boston.
(2)Stephanie L.
Black pasta with Lobster di Fravolo and a bottle of Chianti. Excellent!!! Def a wait to be expected but worth it. Chris is awesome and the Chef is exceptional. Bon Appetite! Enjoy!
(4)Brian S.
I was bored perusing along Hanover St. when I ran into this place. I then found out that this place serves seafood caught within the last 24 hrs! Awesome! I had the black pasta and it was mouth watering. The kitchen is right there too so you can watch the cook make your food. I also like the casual feeling of the place. The place packs a punch of greatness for seafood enthusiast's. Be sure to bring Cash or else you're limiting yourself to your single $20 in your wallet!
(5)Julia H.
Little Italian restaurant that has amazing pasta! Both times I've been here, we ordered the black ink pasta - AMAZING!!! First time we had ordered off of the menu board - the aglio olio (which is the ground squid with garlic). Really good, but thought it was a little salty. So the second time, we decided to go with a tomato sauce based version, as we thought it would be lighter. Both were good, but the aglio olio was definitely more tasty!
(4)Michael J.
I ordered the littlenecks for appetizer and the black squid ink pasta with garlic (the go-to dish here it seems). Both were great but short of amazing. The restaurant is a bit on the small side so expect long waits during peak dining hours. The texture of the black pasta was good - very chewy and slightly al dente. The sauce had a very strong garlicky flavor (as advertised) and the minced squid added a great finishing touch. But something felt missing from this dish. Perhaps due to all the raves on Yelp about this particular dish, I just wasn't feeling the joy oozing out of me. It's a great dish and definitely worth a try but not mind-blowing good. Overall I feel as if this an above-average Italian restaurant that has carved out a nice little niche for itself for serving supposedly "southern" Italian cuisine. The ingredients were fresh and you can see the cook preparing the food in front of you. Definitely worth a try!
(4)Anthony L.
Great food, everything mentioned on Yelp is great. Only 1 complaint, a major one - they take their sweet time here. Comparing it to the famous Giacomo's - this place is even smaller and service is soooooooooooooo slow. At least Giacomo's has a quick turnaround. I've been here once where they didn't flip any table for like 30minutes, crazy
(4)Kate G.
My husband and I went here on a Sunday night. I had seen it on Bizzaire Foods America and it looked good. This place is definitely popular, and we ended up waiting almost an hour in line to be seated since the dining space is so small. We started with the Calamari meatballs and overall they were good. Tasted a little like regular meatballs, but less greasy/fatty and slightly more fishy tasting. They were served with lots of homemade tomato sauce, which was delicious and great with the bread. My husband ordered the Fish and Chips. The fish was fresh tasting and flakey. French fries were just your average french fries. I order the aglio olio, which is squid ink pasta with ground up squid. The pasta was delicious, as was the ground squid. The only negative was that the dish was very oily. Portion sizes were plenty and overall the price was reasonable for the amount and quality of food.
(4)Sonya T.
Very good food. We waited a little over an hour on Sat night...I guess worth the wait, but probably not for 2 hours since they don't have any seating for waiting nor do they have pagers that would allow you to move around. You have to wait in a line outside the restaurant. Had the Sicilian style little neck clams (amazing) and the squid ink pasta, which was also very good. Prices are reasonable since you got a lot of food for the pasta entree portions. Will probably try their Brookline location next on a day when the wait will be less. Wish they had ice water instead of room temp.
(4)Alicia B.
GREAT experience and GREAT food. My boyfriend and I planned on getting seafood in the North End on a Saturday night, but the restaurant we wanted to go to had a three hour wait so went over to Hanover st. The Daily Catch had good seafood reviews so we decided to check it out. The line was ok at the time we got there (around 6pm) there was maybe 12 people in front of us and we only had to wait about 45min to get in. The restaurant is one room including dining, and kitchen area so it was fun to watch the chef cook our meal right in front of us. It was a no-frills mom and pop shop, which I can appreciate. The server was running the whole show including the line outside and he was entertaining during our meal. We started with the fried calamari, which was perfectly cooked and served with marinara sauce. For dinner we split the Lobster Fra Diavolo. It was a whole lobster, clams, mussels, calamari, and shrimp over a LARGE bed of pasta. We were able to eat the seafood, but could barely put a dent in the pasta. The tomato sauce was perfectly seasoned and had the right amount of heat to it. I will add it was my first time having lobster and clams. The lobster cracking was fun and both were delicious! Overall, we were extremely satisfied with the seafood and pleasantly surprised with the dining experience. The chef even came around to chat at the tables! If you're around the area and want delicious seafood you won't regret...come here!!
(5)Mitch C.
We LOVED this place. Small, excellent food and the service was perfect. A GEM.
(5)Kelly C.
The Daily Catch Overall 4.75 Stars Gold medal - garlicky squid ink pasta Silver medal - calamari Bronze medal - flavorful I've only been to Boston once in my life, but in that short week I came back to The Daily Catch twice. This was the only restaurant that I revisited in Boston, so it was that good! I got the black squid ink pasta and it was SOOOOO good! Don't let the color deter you. I love garlic and it was full of garlicky flavor. I first had the squid ink pasta in Italy and not many places in the states serve squid ink pasta, but you can get it here! The calamari was crispy, delicious, and I smothered it in the marinara sauce. I am all about the sauce! HAPPY BLACK PASTAING!!
(5)Jacquie G.
This place is a treasure, and just as good as anything to be found in Italy (I think). I highly recommend the squid ink pasta.
(5)Yi-Ling H.
I love their Lobster Fra Diavolo. The lobster, sauce, and pasta were sooo good. This is definitely the dish you should order. I will definitely visit this resturant again.
(5)Beto D.
This is literally one of my favorites places in Boston! Let me tell you a little bit of myself first. I'm a server who works for a fine dining restaurant in Miami, who was transfer to New York recently, therefore, I am used to fine dining and outstanding food. This place didn't disappointed me. When you come into this little place it makes you feel in Italy, it is very cozy and great ambiance. The menu was wide and they have a great selection on wines to pair your food with. Our server name was Gino, he is absolutely amazing. One of the nicest server I've ever been served by, and I am a very difficult costume since I am a server myself. He is a nice guy, very attentive and outstanding service. On the other hand, our table was right next to the kitchen, so we chat a little with the chef, very nice guy and pretty funny, named Victor. No need to say that the food he prepared was just AMAZING!! We had a dish called Lobster Fra Diavolo, and I'm telling you, is a must to order it. Me and my friends had a great time in this place, I strongly recommend you to go to this place and check it out!
(5)Yuchun W.
We waited one hour for the table. Food was fabulous, the famous fried calamari was really good, very fresh and crispy. Then we got a Sicilian little neck which was so good then we got another similar one, Sicilian mussel. The highlight was homemade black pasta in Olivier oil and garlic. Sorry I forgot the name. Paste was fantastic, and big portion! However I think the one hour waiting, which is really normal for this tiny but great place, but too long for me. You have to fit yourself into the small table and small seat. More importantly, you better eat fast, as you know hungry and tired people are lining up out there. That is toooo much pressure for me, as for a dinner. That's why it is a 4 star for such a great meal.
(4)Kathleen F.
FINALLY got to the the daily catch, yay!! I had friends in town visiting and knew they would love this place so took the day off of work on a Friday and we came here for lunch. There was still a line but it was not nearly as long as it would have been had we come here on the weekend or at night. There were three of us so we shared the fried fish platter which was calamari, and then some unfried squid and a fried white fish. We also shared a large portion of the Aglio Olio squid ink pasta. The pasta was amazing!! The fish in the platter was really good as well and very fresh!! I felt perfectly full and content after the meal! We also loved the entertainment that we got dining in such a small space and watching our food cooked and the banter between the waiter and the cook! Can't wait to have another day off so I can try more here, definitely worth the wait!
(5)Helen Y.
Calamari, calamari, calamari. Do not come here and not try the calamari. I had discovered this place years ago and used to many annual journeys for the fried calamari that would be served to you in a skillet. I even told one of my good friends, who went down with her sister for a road trip. it's been a few years, but I ate here two weeks ago and the quality of the food had never waned. This is exceptional fried calamari, with the lightest of coatings and fried to succulent perfection--calamari that does indeed as they say, melt in your mouth. Even the North End locals come here to get the calamari. No one I have ever sent to this place has ever not raved about the fried calamari. The only other dishes that I've tried are the linguine, both red and white clam sauces. Years ago, the skillet seemed bigger somehow. No matter, portions are still huge, garlic still abounds, and the you know you are chowing downing on authentic Italian soul food(mine was cooked by an Asian fellow who had been there for years! You also still leave with cooking smells on your clothes so leave the silks, linen and cashmeres at home. This is a humble place with stellar food.
(5)Mon R.
this is one of the best italian restaurants I've been to in my whole life. Its a little hole in the wall place, warm and inviting because of the wait staff and the general ambiance, plus you are in close quarters with other customers. You can watch the food being prepared right in front of you (which is great), and they will serve your meal from the pan it was made in. I ordered the calamari pasta with red sauce, and my husband ordered the black pasta (with squid ink). We both devoured them they were so great! fyi: if you do order the squid ink pasta, beware, you will be reminded later on if you know what I mean...
(5)Joanna H.
So two years later... Came here around 5:45pm and waited for about 40 minutes. The wait was expected so it wasn't too bad. Since The Daily Catch is a small venue, my two friends and I ended up sharing a long table with 5 other girls. So just a warning, that could happen if you visit around busy hours. However, it didn't affect our experience. I looked at the Yelp reviews and the Calamari Meatballs were pretty popular so we decided to give it a shot. We also ordered 2 appetizer portions of the Black Pasta Aglio Olio and one appetizer portion of the Black Pasta Putenasca. I'd say skip out on the Calamari Meatballs. Didn't taste like much, the meatballs or the tomato sauce it was in. The Black Pasta, on the other hand, I will still rave about 2 years later. The pasta is the perfect chew and the sauce are well made. The Aglio Olio had just enough garlic flavor. I was particularly impressed with the Putenasca. I'm not a big fan of olives but the saltiness of the olive puree paired with the fresh and sweet peppers & onions was ingenious. Service was pretty fast today. A very successful visit.
(4)Zhibo P.
I like their seafood!
(5)Keem H.
Very tiny place but the food is great.
(5)Len W.
It's been 4 years since I've been back to The Catch! The chef, Jimmy remember me. This is a North End tradition, and has been here since 1974. It has 3 locations, and when I worked in Boston in 1999, I'd been to all three. This north end location is really a kitchen with 5-6 small tables in front (as DonPaul N said). Thank goodness we came in the off season, because we would not have gotten a table. Parking is on the street (very scarce), or in a city lot a few blocks away. For a nice lunch, my family of four ordered the fried calamari appetizer, the Alfredo linguine and the special Seafood Linguine. The clams were in the shell, and the broth was divine. Jimmy made the Alfredo sauce from scratch to a rich, creamy perfection. The family said this was the best meal of their 10-day East Coast vacation.
(4)Laura S.
The hole-in-the-wall, casual attitude of this place makes it a must-try in the North End. This little family-owned restaurant has a gracious and welcoming waitress and an ironic but attentive chef. I was dressed down for an early Sunday night dinner and I fit right in with the plastic cups and entrees served directly in the saute pan. The way to go here is shellfish--namely shellfish and pasta. We had the fried calamari to start and although it was good--crispy and tender on the inside--it is no match for pomodoro's calamari, which happens to be right next door. Their only fault is that I've already been spoiled with the best calamari. I look forward to trying some of their other apps. For my entree I got the house-made black squid linguine with the puttanesca sauce. The sauce was savory and delicious...anchovy butter, tomatoes, peppers, onions and capers....what's not to love? My date got the linguine with shrimp...the sauce was also excellent, it had a nice tart bite to it that complemented the shrimp perfectly. Plus, they didn't skimp on the seafood. I had 2 meals worth of food leftover...which would've been great if I didn't break it open and finish it an hour after getting home. All in all, a great seafood "joint"...perfect for a casual diner with a big appetite!
(4)Andy S.
we were waiting for friends and they told us to wait outside when its cold. we were just standing near the door and there are empty tables. Its incredible how rude they are.
(1)Noelia V.
Wait time for a table on a Sunday afternoon, party of 4, was 1.5hrs. CASH only!! It is a very small place (I counted 20 seats total) but the food is AMAZING! Aglio Olio was superb and the broiled swordfish simple and TASTY. My kids shared and enjoyed the Calamari Platter. I would totally go back again and would recommend it.
(4)Frank P.
Food was great. Service was decent not great. Had the calamari platter. The the fried calamari and the calamari salad were both excellent. I was not that impressed with the calamari meatball but my friend found it delicious. The white fish was plain, maybe unnecessary. More than enough food, you could probably share with another person if you want to get an appetizer then grab desert amongst the many pastry shops around.
(4)Rick T.
After reading and having the daily catch recommended to me I went with a close friend yesterday. It wasn't hard to find and was greeted by a waiter names Sage who is quite pleasant. My friend on Sage's recommendation ordered the shrimp with linguine and I the baked Haddock. I was so wanting to find a great fish restaurant and boy did I find it. The fish was excellent and we washed it down with some chardonnay which yes came in the plastic cups. (I really didn't care). The place is rustic, small and quite my kinda hangout. If you want just a quick fish eat well there it is! I will be back!
(5)Lynn C.
It's funny how I gave a 4 star last time because we did not have to wait in line, but am now giving this place a 3 star now that we had to. Two hours standing outside of that restaurant in line was the most uncomfortable experience ever--being hungry and tired and by the time we ate, it was 10:30pm. They seriously need to either expand this place, or find some way for people to be called when/be comfortable until there are seats available, especially since seafood is not really take home food. Until something happens, I'm not going back. It will definitely be worth going to this place at least once, if you're lucky to go early enough, but I don't know if the deliciousness is worth the painful wait.
(3)Varvara R.
Loved their squid pasta, the one with Alfredo sauce is amazing. Keep coming back because of it :) And it was fun to see everything cooked. Really worth a visit and wait in the line.
(5)Anna H.
I went here with my bf on our short trip to boston, it was a small place that you had to wait in line for in front of the store, we waited in the rain and it was still worth it. He got the black pasta aglio olio and i got the pan-seared tuna, amazing
(5)Harri S.
When I was very young I once made the mistake of asking my cousin how fettucine alfredo was made at a particular restaurant. She informed me: "You know, a little bit of this" (At this point she pretended to wipe sweat of her brow), "and you know a little bit of that" (Here she pretended to blow her nose into my alfredo)." What a charmer, I'm surprised someone married her. I had little to worry about at the Daily Catch however. You can see all that's happening in the kitchen from where you sit. There are about four tables, and little wiggle room. Each table has salt and red pepper flakes. The menu is on a blackboard, no paper menus here. The wine and water are served in plastic cups. He got the swordfish, which was served with a pasta marinara appetizer. It was buttery despite the fact there was no butter in the dish. The fish was cooked to perfection. The sauce which the swordfish was paired with was a balsamic sauce which was well done. A little tangy. I could have done with less sauce or some carbs to assist (Hence the pasta marinara I assume). I got the Pasta Aglioli. Squid ink pasta with minced calamari. Redundant? Absolutely not! It. Was. Heavenly. I have never had calamari like this. What a treat. It was not rubbery. I expected it might be because the calamari was cut so small. Instead it was quite succulent. It was tossed in butter and garlic. A very simple dish. The black pasta was house-made using a squid ink within the pasta (instead of coating it, which I hear is a very acquired taste). The pasta had a different taste to it, but was extremely extremely subtle. You had to fight to find it. The texture of the pasta was a bit different, but definitely not bad. This dish was the star of the night. We also had some organic red wine and pinot grigio which were both quite good. The service was so kind and helpful. It definately pays to pretend you're a senior-citizen and shoot for early-bird special time in order to avoid the evening rush (and man are we talking rush). I'm definitely coming back soon if I can.
(5)Glenn C.
expensive but well worth it. Had black pasta puttanesca (full size). I love the flavor of garlic and this dish was excellent. Nice size portion. Best meal I had in boston.
(5)Maggie F.
Don't be swayed by the 3 stars, I honestly wish I could eat here once more. Daily Catch was among the many Italian restaurants on that alley, and also conveniently across from a pastry shop--you know where to go for desserts right after! To my surprise, the restaurant was really small in size. When we got there, there was 20 minute wait, and 10 people were standing outside the restaurant (a fire hazard!). That was a good sign in itself, but the wait was less favorable. When I finally entered, after forever, I realized why the place was so small: The kitchen took up 35% of the space! But it was nice to see how your food was made. Now I'm giving it 3 stars because I only tried the blank ink pasta. I think the squid ink hardened the noodles, so it wasn't your typical soft noodles--they were chewy, and by that I mean you needa chomp kinda vigorously. I tried two pastas: the puttanesca and the anglio olio. The noodles came in a flat pan. The puttanesca was a mixture of olives, tomato sauce, onions-3 stars for that one. I thought it was an average pasta and I didn't enjoy it that much. The anglio olio was slightly better, it had mashed up squid tossed up with the noodles- 3.5.
(3)Caroline G.
3 stars because we only ate one type of pasta, and that's not a fair assessment of the restaurant. We ordered the aglio olio black ink pasta, and the puttanesca blank ink pasta. The pasta was muy tasty, and the restaurant itself is a local joint that can seat about 15-20 people at any given time, so during a crowded time, expect to wait outside. Located in Little Italy, you can stop by any of the numerous bakeries after lunch for cannoli!
(3)Zig W.
+black pasta +calamari +friendly workers -no reservations -no segregation of kitchen and dining area...which is cumulatively smaller than the kitchen in my house -mussels -ambiance/dollar is about 0
(4)Murphy L.
This tiny restaurant in the North End is a not-so-hidden gem. It does get crowded and don't be surprised to see a queue. Everything smelled so good and fresh. Food is served on a pan rather than on a plate. Service was average when I last visited, but the place was very busy so I don't blame them. The scallops I ordered were delicious, but a little boring coz they really gave me a whole plate of scallops with nothing else. Some greens or sides would have been nice. There is no vegetarian option in their menu for my friend, but it's a seafood restaurant so I can't blame them either.
(4)Kimberly B.
This place is spot-on. It delivers what it promises (and little else), but the squid ink pasta on their calamari-driven menu is out of this world. House made, it's likely the best these lips have ever tasted. With serious chew, mellow squid ink flavor and thick, slurpy noodles, I get it every time I go...which is often. You get three choices to dress your black linguine: a tangy puttanesca, a rich alfredo (that I think needs extra cheese, which I always sprinkle on top), or their signature aglio oilo--a chopped squid and garlic olive oil sauce. You can't go wrong with any of the three. The rest of the menu is good, but perhaps not as great. They have native seafood of all sorts like shrimp and scallops, mussels in wine, baked haddock, quirky sides like squid meatballs, and you can order any of these over pasta with your choice of red or white sauce. Groups often opt for the lobster fra diavlo for $70; I haven't tried it yet, but it looks like a seafood lover's dream. Skip the salads as they are unimpressive, but hope there might be a side of garlic broccoli on the menu when you go. With a couple locations across Boston, the small joint in the North End is the best by far. That said, it's a tiny hole-in-the-wall, so be prepared to wait for a table and smell like garlic when you leave.
(4)Norry H.
A couple of people told me that the best Italian restaurant in Boston is called "Daily Catch". So here I am just experienced the very satisfying pasta dishes at Daily Catch. It was worth coming all the way from Northern Virginia. Although they seem to hold salt a lot but over all, the taste and the way they cook are really really good. I especially like the Black Pasta Aglio Oglio. What a unique dish! The Vongole spaghetti was full of fresh clams with clam meat in one piece instead of torn apart, and tasted pretty good. The pasta was al dente without having to ask for that.
(5)Fab B.
The Daily Catch is your grandma's kitchen. Provided your grandma is Italian. The place feels like home and fondly reminded me of my family's meals growing up where everyone squeezed around the table in our tiny kitchen, slurping pasta, and dipping bread in sauce, chitchatting with everyone around. I left The Daily Catch smelling like garlic and wine for the remainder of the day, a perfume someone ought to bottle up so I can wear it everyday. The dishes are beautiful and the flavors did not deceive.
(5)Lu C.
The restaurant is somewhat good. The Octopus and Calamari is fresh and tasty. But the black pasta is not as we expected.
(3)Ashton H.
My very favorite place in the North End. I've re-visited recently and ordered the squid ink pasta again. It's so unique, and I love the texture. Any and all of their seafood is great. I suggest sharing- the portions are huge! Also, try going during an off time and you won't have a problem getting in.
(5)Aris L.
I love this restaurant..they had great foods..the server were really nice..the place is quite small so you will need to queue for a while...we ordered the black pasta, calamari, and the seafood combination..all of it taste good CONCLUSION = RECOMMENDED!
(4)Melody L.
Dinner at The Daily Catch was the highlight of my trip to Boston. My friends in Boston/have lived in Boston all rave about its Italian food, and Daily Catch was particularly recommended, so I had to try this place. The restaurant is very mom-and-pop-like, with about five tables, a small open-kitchen (you get to see the chef cook, which always amuses me!), one chef, one waiter, little to no decor -- a restaurant with the bare minimum but surely blows you away its delicious, solid food. The most interesting thing about this place is that the chef is Asian. It's pretty mind-boggling that an Asian guy can make such authentic Italian food. We ordered three entrees: - Aglio Olio black pasta - this is their signature dish and a must-try; the al dente squid ink pasta, aroma of garlic, and the ground squid all blended flawlessly. We liked it so much that we were tempted to order seconds. - Putanesca black pasta - a vegetarian black pasta. Not quite as tasty as the aglio olio, but still pretty good - Lobster Fra Diavolo - it came with generous portions of clams, mussels, shrimp, and a giant lobster mixed with pasta Huge portions here so don't over-order. We split three entrees among five people and we were all stuffed. We ordered a syrah to go with our food and that was the finishing touch to a perfect meal. The food was served on the sizzling pan that the chef cooked the entree with and fresh off the stove. The waiter was personable and chatty -- it felt like a dinner party at someone's house. Try to get here early as the wait can get irritating. Also try to come here with no more than 4 people. We had five people so they had to wait until 3 out of their 5 tables cleared up to seat us. Also, tip well -- the chef and waiter were working their butt off! Glad I took the advice to try this place, it definitely lived up to its hype :)
(5)Agnes H.
The wait is extremely long (we waited for 1.5 hours) and the place is extremely small. It is best if you go as two people. Thus, I have to take off one star from it. The food is great. Here is what we ordered: - Sicilian style Littlenecks - Homemade Black Pasta Tinta de Calamari - Calamari + Linguine in Red The Calamari is very good. The pasta texture is awesome. The Littlenecks and its sauce are so good that we kept dipping our bread into it after we finished the clams. The waiter is very helpful.
(4)Kevin W.
The Monkfish was superb! The Calamari with linguini in seafood marinara was excellent too. Just cooked to perfection both dishes. Both dishes were a little sweet but I was amazed by both the flavor and quality of both. We also had the black pasta in two different sauces, which my friends were impartial about. The staff was super friendly and even created extra flames for us so we could take some cool pictures.
(5)Jake T.
You love Italian food? The Daily Catch is where you should vist next. Even though the place is small and tight; it's always packed! ( about 8 tables) I've visted twice and the staff always make you feel like your at home; you basically sit in a kitchen I would say. I started off with the calamari and let me tell ya, it was one of the best I had so far that's why I ordered a large the second trip. I also tried the shrimp linguine, it came out in a pan they cook for you; pretty different. The pasta had a good chew to it and also the sauce was well made. Everytime I ran out of water, the waiter would run over and re-fill. All in all, service was great, food excellent, anything with calamari would be delicious there.
(4)Sharky L.
Had to check out this place before we left Boston because all the locals were talking about it. We past it couple of times and there was always a line up. We went in the middle of the afternoon so didn't have to wait too long. If we had to wait 45 mins it would have been worth it. The food was amazing, we asked the waiter to give us the best in the house and we got the Squid ink pasta, Lobster platter, broiled haddock, and mussels. It was all amazing!! My fav was the broiled buttery haddock. Nothing beats it.
(5)Randy V.
OVERALL: I have been here twice and this place ROCKS! The food is fresh and the waitstaff is awesome. The RESTAURANT: Come here on an off hour and not during the rush. There is probably only 6 tables! There are looong lines out the door so have a late lunch or a late dinner. Worth the wait. The MENU: It's on the wall so wipe the lint off your glasses! Cash only. BLACK PASTA (TINTA DE CALAMARI) Aglio Olio- Ground Squid Sauteed with Garlic and Olive Oil: FRESSSH HOMEMADE PASTA and the pasta was black!! You can taste the difference with fresh pasta. It's entertaining to watch them cook the food and take the pan directly off the stove to your table. How awesome is that. Squid pieces were tiny, it was hard to tell it was even ground squid! They cooked it till it was soft yet firm, a perfect combination. We scrapped the pan clean using house bread. CALAMARI MEATBALLS: Ground tenderized calamari in red sauce. YUMMY. Fresh calamari flavor was packed into this meatball. I would definitely go back and order this again.
(5)Samuel F.
Yelpers have it right: The black pasta is awesome. Agio olio especially. The only bad thing is the mediocre bread they serve up front. So don't be a fool, save that for the sauce as another reviewer suggests. There's a line, it's a hole-in-the-wall, small, cash only. It's a lot of fun.
(4)Julie M.
First time at The Daily Catch Seaport tonight. From start to finish it was a great experience. Our server Ritchie was super friendly and new the menu well. We started w/ the clams casino which were light and flavorful, followed by a rich cup of clam chowder. Entrees included a beautiful piece of grilled Salmon and the Fra Diavolo was top shelf! The sauce was rich and spicy without being overbearing. We finished our meal w/ coffee and cannoli's. Will not hesitate to return!
(4)Lou C. H.
Expensive! No ambience. None at all, unless you're into method acting: Be a Canned Sardine. That said, the ground up squid is unique and pretty tasty. Black pasta Aglio Olio our favorite.
(3)Ioan B.
Very good food, bad service and expect an automatic service charge of 18% for every check (it does not have to be 6 or or more people in party). I think the long line is a very good marketing for them. Not going back there anytime soon.
(3)Amanda L.
You will have to wait in line. It is a teeny tiny restaurant. You are pretty much sitting in the kitchen with the chef. Your drinks will come in plastic cups. Cash only. Do not let any of those things deter you. Had the clams casino (clams stuffed with breadcrumbs and bacon and deliciousness), squid ink pasta aglio olio (black pasta and olive oil with ground-up octopus), and the calamari platter (calamari, calamari meatball, more calamari, and sauce). All were yummy. Hesitant to give five stars, since I am stingy with them, but The Daily Catch comes pretty damn close. Let's call it a 4.5. Service could have been a little bit better, but I do not blame them since there are two guys working: one is doing the cooking, and the other is squeezing between tables to serve EVERYONE. Besides, you are here for the food, not for the ambience. And the chef is the cutest older Asian dude you'll ever meet in your life. I think I even uttered the words, "Aw, I love him." (Disclaimer: I'm not sure if he's the owner and is there every day, but don't blame me if you are disappointed because he isn't working.) Yum. I am a fan.
(4)Josephine L.
Oy. I feel kinda bad not being more enthused about this place since my friend treated me to a birthday dinner here and picked the place because it's her favorite restaurant in the North End. Soooo, I'm going to be an overly PC wuss and try to be as diplomatic as I can about the good and the bad. Good: - Tiny space teeming with cooking noises to make you feel like you're in an Italian home on a wedding day - Reasonable prices - Homemade-ness - Friendly staff - Good bread - Thick, chewy noodles - Cooked ground squid was fantastic - Fresh herbs in the pastas Bad: - Putanesca was too rich and creamy. I could not have stomached a full-sized portion--don't know how my friend even did half - Aglio Olio was so oily. It was soaked in olive oil, really. I like my EVOO as much as the next person, but not when it's abundant enough for me to take a swim in it - Awful "table" we were seated at by the window was actually an outgrown stump from the wall on which they'd placed a tabletop surface. But the surface was not bigger than the stump, so you had no room to put your legs under the table, leading to the need to sit side-saddle style on your chair in order to be close enough to your food.
(3)John S.
Always a great meal. Fried calamari to start, very light batter. Linguini with clams (white). Monk fish Marsala. And a linguini and scallops. All outstanding. The pasta is cooked to order. The seafood is the freshest. Worth the wait. You want music and candles? Go elsewhere? The daily catch is about fresh tasting Italian seafood. The kitchen is your atmosphere.
(5)Diana G.
The Daily Catch is my new favourite restaurant in the North End. I love everything about it- the tiny/cozy size of the place, the open kitchen, the menu on the wall, the fast & friendly service, the fresh seafood served in the very pan it was cooked, the glass bottle Coca-Colas, and the wait is only an hour!! This time I tried the clams/calamari combo w/ red sauce, but next time I will try either the black squid ink pasta.. or the Lobster Fra Diavolo.. or both!! :P
(5)Lana O.
OMG! Stop now. Do not pass go, do not collect $200... seriously stop in for a meal at The Daily Catch and you will not be disappointed!!! I rarely have no complaints about a restaurant, but for this one I really don't. I have "comments" rather than complaints because while some people may consider these things complains it really made the restaurant awesome in my book. 1. This place is TINY. Seriously. We had a table of 5 the Friday following Thanksgiving and any more people would have been almost impossible to squeeze in. We also had to wait about 20 minutes for a table to empty up. 2. You are literally dining IN the kitchen they cook your food in. It is way cool. You can see them cooking your food before you eat it! 3. The dishes are in NO way complicated. They mostly just compliment the freshness of the fish. We had the mussel marinara pasta, shrimp scampi and calamari appetizers, haddock, and broccoli side. It's definitely a good idea to share entrees as they are rather large especially if you are getting appetizers. The mussel pasta was to DIE for. I'm not joking, I would drive back to Boston to get some right now. YUM. Everything was incredibly fresh! Our waiter was the son of the owner/manager of the establishment, super knowledgeable, super helpful, and great service. Basically, this place is a hole in the wall gem. If you are looking for pretense, go to one of the million other places in north end that have an italian name. If you want awesome, fresh, yummy dishes, and a great little place that you'll rave about for weeks afterwards, come here!
(5)Chris T.
Simply incredible food; everything we had was cooked perfectly, full of flavour, and wonderfully fresh. The real trick is getting a table; with only 20 seats, this place fills up fast. We arrived just before 5pm and were seated about 15 minutes later, so plan to have an early meal. The service was warm and welcoming, and seemed genuinely happy to have us there. We ordered the squid ink linguine puttanesca, calamari platter, and a plate of longneck clams. While all were delicious, the linguine was a highlight, as was the calamari salad. Everything was perfectly cooked and flavourful; we both wolfed down our food, mumbling things about how nice it was between mouthfuls. Serving sizes are typically American; an appetiser should really suffice for meal. All in all, a wonderful experience and a definite highlight in terms of service, quality of food, and price.
(5)Jody H.
There's very little seating so be prepared for a wait - it's definitely well worth it though! You can see the cook make your dishes while you're in your seat, and the atmosphere is very fun and casual. They have amazing homemade black pasta - my favorite is the Aglio Olio (ground squid sauteed with garlic and olive oil). I also loved the calamari meatballs.
(5)Bill J.
This is the best restaurant in the North End. Everything on the menu is a must try. I have been going for 25+ years and have never been unhappy!
(5)Eric A.
Tiny place. Seating for about 16. Cash only. I had the monkfish marsala and my gf had the clams and calamari in red sauce. Very good taste wise. Family.owned and family run.
(4)Christopher M.
My father is a Boston native who's been out on the West Coast for the better part of the last three decades, and is terribly nostalgic for the Boston of old - affordable, blue collar and Italian. So when he comes to visit and wants to go out to dinner in the North End, it's always a challenge to maintain his veil of ignorance. If he ever realized how gaudy, yuppy and commercial the North End has become, it would absolutely break his heart. Thank G*d for the Daily Catch Five tables, twenty chairs. Water and wine served in plastic Dixie cups. No menus, just a chalkboard on the wall. Our dinner was served straight off the stove in the cast iron skillets in which it was cooked (careful not to burn yourself). If you look up hole-in-the-wall in the dictionary, there might be a picture of this place. We had wine that was uneventful, bread that was typical, and calamari meatballs that were alright, but not something I'd order again. Then came the main course. We both ordered the famous black pasta, and let me tell you, when it arrives it looks disgusting - thick, black and squiggly, it looks more like burnt worms than pasta. But OH NOM, NOM, NOM it is GOOD!!! Tender and piping hot, served aglio olio - my mouth is watering just thinking of it. It's a miracle that a tiny hole-in-the-wall like this has survived (in its current incarnation), sitting right in the middle of Hanover Street next to Pomodoro with its posh makeover and across from the ever popular Mike's Pastry. But so long as it's there, you'll continue to find me there.
(4)Pough K.
Never trust a skinny chef (if you've been, you'll get it). Small space, but great food and portions (skip on the vino, it's over priced and not kept well). Good for going for a late lunch or an early dinner, then you'll miss all the rush. Considering they're literally a hole in the wall, rush is any time during "regular" hours when people eat. I'm sure you can adjust your eating schedule just for one day, so you can have a taste of italian heaven.
(5)Alan S.
I enjoy coming here on the weekends for lunch as I've never had to wait in a line. I went today (Saturday) for an early dinner (4pm) and had to wait about 15 minutes for a table of two. I've seen very long lines here for dinner on the weekends. The place is nothing fancy (plastic cups for water) and we were cramped in the corner of the restaurant, but you come here for the excellent food. My dad had the squid ink pasta with ground squid and garlic/olive oil (aglio olio). I had the scallops and calamari linguini with red sauce. Both dishes were excellently flavored. At about $20 per dish, the quality of the seafood and the homemade pasta makes it well worth the price.
(5)Melody W.
Out of all of the restaurants I tried in the North End, this one hits the sweet spot (seafood-wise especially) ! I admit, I learned about The Daily Catch through Bizarre Foods USA (thanks, Andrew Zimmern), and I just had to have their squid ink pasta! My group of 4 friends and I stood outside for a good amount of 1 hour and 45 minutes (I KID YOU NOT) due to the long line for the dinner hour (this was back in June). This location does NOT do reservations. For this, I have to knock a star off because of the wait. It's understandable, since the size of restaurant itself is such a hole in the wall and small. If you are only coming in as a couple, you will have better chances of getting a seat sooner than a big group like me and my friends! Within that amount of time, we looked at the menu on the wall to quickly decide what we will all get and split up once we get seated. The food passing by us in the wait looked delicious, and we couldn't help but stare. What can we do aside from running back and forth from Mike's Pastry to kill time?! When we finally sat down, we ordered the squid ink pasta with ground squid (Aglio Olio), Calamari Platter, Monkfish Marsala, and Sicilian style Mussels. I have no words for the deliciousness we encountered in that hour...it was so yummy! For some reason, the Aglio Olio's ground squid tasted like pork to me except chewier and definitely has some spicy kick in it! The marsala is sweet and tangy, and it was a hoot for me to try the Calamari "Meatball"! The staff there were courteous and friendly, and we were joking with them up to the closing time (hey, we did waited for a while after all). So was it worth that wait in line? Definitely! Will I be back? Hell yeah! I will try to come by in an earlier time. Bring CASH ONLY. They don't do credit cards!
(4)Dave W.
Food was good. But it wasn't worth the $$ or the wait. Me and my gf went to Boston for the weekend, went over to this place to check out their infamous squid ink pasta and the monk fish Marsala. We got there around 645, didn't get to sit down till well after 8. We sat besides two strangers which wasn't really a big deal to us, some ppl might be uncomfortable with. We got the steamed clams for appetizers, it was fresh and well made. Black pasta was good for anyone looking for a new experience. It was very greasy though. The monkfish Marsala wasn't bad, but the spaghetti was under cooked, some are still solid hard. Id say for tourism, this place is worth checking out, ONLY IF there isn't a long wait. It's a bit overpriced too.
(3)Josh K.
Went here with my girlfriend and two other friends this past Sunday and boy, what a great time it was. Yes, it's expensive. Yes, it's tiny. Yes, the service can be spotty, that's because there's /one/ waitress doing everything in the whole damn restaurant. The place is an exercise in minimalism and simplicity and (I think) aims to prove that the best meals derive from good ingredients, love, and honest hard work. So first, the wait. It was long, real long, just like other restaurants on the North End. Since we had just come all the way from Fenway after having had a couple beers on an empty stomach, we were able to amuse ourselves for the 45-50 minutes required for us to secure a table. Well, let me rewind. At first, we weren't even sure we were going to get a table. The people in front of us in line told us that the chef was not accepting further customers after them due to their 10PM closing time (we showed up at 9.) But I thought this was balderdash and went in to ask the man himself. Me: "Hey, so the girls back there told me you're not taking any customers after them. Is that true?" Him: "Well you know what, I think we can squeeze you in. WE ARE OPEN, MAN! You get in that line!" *rockstar pose while mashing up hundreds of cloves of garlic in the Robo Coupe* Me: "So let me get this straight. You are" .. *my own rockstar pose* .. "OPEN?" Him: "WE ARE OPEN!" *rockstar pose times two* So once we got in, we laid out our plan of attack. Since there were four of us, we decided to order up four appetizer portions (since 2 appetizers = 1 entree), and go big with the Lobster fra Diavolo (suggested service for 2 people.) We got these appetizers: - Clams casino (stuffed baked clams) - Fried calamari - Squid ink pasta, aglio e olio with ground calamari (the best! THE BEST!) - Squid ink pasta, puttanesca (more like squid ink pasta with fajita veggies, but still tasty nonetheless.) And the Lobster? Amazing. The whole skillet was plunked on our table with still-bubbling diavolo sauce, linguine, shrimp, calamari, mussels, clams, and most of all, 1.25 lobsters (body, tail, and claws.) We ate like people have never eaten before. (Well, mainly, we ate seafood like Asians usually eat seafood -- really messy, lots of gusto, offending the people around us with our slurping noises.) Over the course of the meal we also ordered two glasses of wine (total, not each.) Total came to $40 a person with tip included and I felt that that was a very good deal considering we ordered the single most expensive dish on the menu and even got two $7 glasses of wine. The whole time we were there, I also felt that the honesty and sincerity of the staff really made a difference. It's the difference that made the plastic wine cups endearing, not tacky. A snooty restaurant could do the same thing and I might be offended. But I felt very at home here -- and I feel like that's how you should feel at any Italian restaurant.
(5)Ashley H.
Mom's in town, where should I take her? She's not picky, will eat anything especially if it has tentacles, and is not too particular about personal space. Obviously I bring her here, a place no one else will go with me! Based on other reviews we were prepared for a long wait at 6 of a Friday, but got in right away. I had to sit sideways, but didn't mind, as I was too busy chugging my wine out of a plastic cup anyway. The bread was meh, but the calamari appetizer was incredible. Not chewy AT ALL and basically ruined other calamari for me because this was so fresh. I got confused reading other reviews about black pasta and the squid pasta. Here is the secret, they are the same thing. So I ordered two half dishes-the ground up squid with black pasta and the pepper and onions with black pasta. Both were good, but the pepper and onions with the pasta was my favorite. The ground up squid had a ton of garlic and definitely required a shower post-consumption. Moms had shrimp and scallops with pasta, I stole a scallop and it was tender and awesome. Kind of wish I could have gotten her order, but with the black pasta. I think they would have accommodated this, so if I ever have the fortune of going back I'd order a dish and sub the black pasta. It was a bit pricey, considering the amenities the place was lacking-legroom, glasses that didn't collapse once your drink was empty, you know-the fancy stuff. I would go again just to create "the perfect order," but I probably would spare mom the experience.
(4)Linda E.
I finally went to this small restaurant that everyone said I had to go to before leaving Boston. I'm not a fan of the North End, but I figured I would give it a try. I ordered the aglio olio , the black squid ink pasta with ground up squid. The restaurant was small and since I was alone, they sat a family of 3 with me. It was kind of awkward, I didn't talk to them much, but it interrupted me trying to treat myself to a quiet dinner. It was well worth it, i got the appetizer portion which was very filling and full of flavors. I also had started with the mixed green salad which was delicious. It is cash only, I had great service and left being happy I had tried out this hidden gem.
(4)Elena K.
Besides from being TINY, the mussels amazing and served right in the pan it was cooked in. glad i decided to give it a try and definitely will be back.
(4)Nancy L.
Came here based on the reviews of their Black Pasta and was very curious to try this place. Honestly, I was not impressed. We ordered the Black Pasta with Putanesca Sauce (mushrooms, onions, peppers) and I didn't like it that much. My bf, however, seemed to have enjoyed it. We also had the Pan-Seared Tuna (prepared rare), and we both thought that was a much better choice. One thing we did love about this place was their garlic bread....that was excellent. Anyways, my biggest problem here was that my eyes started to get really teary towards the end due to the smoky air from all the cooking. This place was very tiny, so literally, we were sitting right by the kitchen/stoves. Also, it gets very busy/crowded and we had to call the waitress multiple times just to get our water refilled in the plastic cups. Overall, I came out thinking to myself, "Oh well, at least I can now say that I've tried the supposedly famous Black Pasta." This is a place where I can skip next time around and go straight to Giacomos down the street for some amazing Italian food!
(3)Jennifer T.
To me, visiting Boston means having seafood for dinner, so I had to come to the Daily Catch. I was warned of a long wait on Yelp, and a long wait it was! I arrived around 5PM on a Saturday, and ended up waiting over 45 minutes. Here's some line waiting tips: (1) Make conversation with the people waiting in line with you. (2) If you also wanted cannolis, have someone in your party cross the street to the Mike's Pastry (AKA the holy grail of cannolis) and order a box! Despite the fact that Mike's Pastry is also a mad house, it'll take less time to get the cannolis, and you can eat them while you're in line for the Daily Catch. Now for the restaurant review. The restaurant itself is SMALL. That's why the wait is so long. There is 1 chef, 1 waiter, 1 busboy, and only 20 seats. You'll very likely be sharing a table with another party. I ordered the Black Pasta Putanesca (squid ink pasta with pureed olive, anchovy, butter, and sauteed mushrooms, onions, and peppers) and the Pan Seared Scrod. Both were about $20, came with a pasta or salad, and were enough to fill my parents and me up. I thought the squid ink pasta was a very unique addition to the menu and was very delicious, but the scrod completely overshadowed the pasta. The fish had a wonderfully crispy, but not burnt, top and was moist and tender throughout. That piece of scrod was heaven. My only issue was that the other people in the restaurant who ordered scrod all had much larger filet's. I was surprised to see mine come out smaller, but I was so hungry after all the waiting that I did not complain. Nevertheless, if you have the time to wait, I would recommend this place for dinner and that you order the scrod with a side of pasta.
(4)Paul C.
THE BEST PASTA YOU'LL FIND IN BOSTON. I heard about this place on Tumblr (I follow a lot of travel blogs), so I was quite excited to give it a try. I knew how long the line would be (it reached the end of the block when I was leaving), so I got there a bit early (5 PM on Sunday). I got a table next to the kitchen, so I could see what the chef was doing. I was really surprised by how fresh everything was while he was cooking! I ordered the black pasta with squid, and it was just purely delicious! The pasta was so soft and chewy, and the squid tasted so fresh! It smelled and tasted like calamari a bit, which I thought was a very interesting taste. Also, I ordered the normal size, while my friend ordered the appetizer size. If you're not a heavy eater, the appetizer size would be perfect for you. Anyways, I really enjoyed this place! I would go back to Boston JUST TO come here again!
(5)Synie W.
It was a small place but aside from that the food did not lack at all. I had the homemade squid ink pasta with ground calamari... delicious!!! the pasta was cooked perfectly... not too hard or soft (LOL) It was a fun experience to eat out of a pan though. Even with the over 30 min wait... i would DEF come back here again... not during dinner rush hour though.
(4)Linda C.
Wow. After waiting for almost 2 hours to get in here, I was expecting to see Jerry Seinfeld in the kitchen...or at least experience an unforgettable meal. I didn't get either one. No sparks, no ooohs or ahhhs....just BLAH. All hype and no YUM. Will I return? Not even if its the last restaurant open in the North End and I'm hungry.
(1)Yappy O.
OK our experience was bad I thought. The Food was easily forgettable although the squid ink pasta was something different and pretty good. The thing that made me drop my rating so much was that the kitchen is in the middle so you can watch the cook. The guy was on the phone the entire time he cooked. Also you loose your appetite slightly when you see how it's prepared and how its done. Especially when he chops a live lobsters in half. Now here is the worst thing about the place there was a line and we waited till those eating left before letting a new group in. Then they waited till all of the orders where in until they started cooking while the cook stood there waiting on waiter. An finally all the dishes came out at the same time. It was annoying to watch and makes me not want to recommend or come back.
(2)Tom M.
this place is amazingly good. Lucky enough, we went there on Monday afternoon and didn't need to line up for tables. although the signature black pasta was a little bit greasy to my wife, i don't mind at all, the taste was fabulous and blew us away. 5 stars recommended!! Keep in mind, this place is cash only.
(5)Kathy A.
This is a delightful little hole-in-the-wall kind of restaurant tucked back in the North End. They do not take reservations so expect a wait if you should up around prime dinner time (although they definitely keep things moving and seat you next to strangers at communal tables, which is all part of the fun). They have tons of delicious options and serve you your food in the pan it was cooked in! We ordered some cherrystones on the half shell, but they were out so they brought us some extra littlenecks on the house. The scallops are delicious and so is the black pasta served in the Aglio Olio style. My only complaint is at Italian restaurants I love good bread to use to scoop up the sauce from my dish and the bread here just did not suffice.
(4)Stephen C.
Lakers/Celtics, Game 5 of the 2010 NBA Finals. Drove up from New York. Stopped by the North End for some dinner before the Sunday night game. I'm a huge Lakers fan and, yes, my friends and I were decked out in full out Lakers apparel. In Boston, a place green with Lakers hate/envy. Got boo'd several times (even by a couple five year olds!) while walking around looking for a decent place to grab some good food. Pulled up the Yelp app on my Blackberry and The Daily Catch popped up (actually, Neptune Oyster was first choice, but couldn't do the two-hour wait). Sat down in a tiny dining room/open kitchen with seating for 20 people. Awesome, friendly chef and staff. They were Celtics fans, but they were professional and decided against putting laxative in our food. Ordered a metal pan full of squid ink black pasta aglio olio (prepared with ground calamari with, olive oil, garlic & anchovy). Very good pasta cooked perfectly al dente. Probably the best black pasta I've had. Left the restaurant with a full stomach and excited for the game. Too bad we lost game five, but who cares since we took the series! LAKERS ARE CHAMPS!!
(4)John A.
I love the Daily Catch. They have the most delicious and unique pasta dish I've ever had, Aglio Olio. I had it again tonight and it was great, but the rest of the meal I regret to say, was just okay. The calamari was good, but not amazing. A little rubbery and not as crisp as it should have been. They also messed up 2 dishes in our order. One was wrong, and the other we never got (just as well, we were stuffed!). I'll go back again, but for me it's lost it's legendary status. Every restaurant has the occasional off night, and maybe that's what happend tonight.
(3)Lucy V.
This is definitely a place for those who prefer a casual and delicious experience. We were extremely lucky to be squeezed in at the communal table fairly quickly (and I mean *squeezed*) - there were just two of us and all of the other larger groups were still waiting outside when we finished our meal. We tried the black squid ink pasta with puttanesca (yum) - got the "small" portion, but it's very substantial. We also got a scallops linguini (garlicky and delicious) - this was a regular portion, meaning we got the whole pan as our plate. And this was all accompanied by an unpretentious plastic cup of wine. If you're not in a rush and feel under-dressed for some of the other restaurants around, definitely drop by here for amazing food at a very friendly, comfy / cozy atmosphere.
(5)Tatiana B.
This is a super small restaurant with long waits (depending on the time that you go). We HAVE to go every time we are in Boston. No question. Last time we were in Boston, we went twice during our trip. Preferably, go during the early afternoon. The menu is on a big chalkboard so bring your reading glasses because that's all you are going to get. Drinks are served in plastic cup (even wines). Whatever they lack in fancy, they make it up in the food. The food is absolutely outstanding. The plates are big so we usually share one. Our favorite is the linguini with big, beautiful shrimps in a garlic-cream sauce. This is just phenomenal! That sauce, oh God. I've had to hold myself back from licking the plate. Last time, we also got the small serving of their squid ink pasta in Aglio Olio sauce. The sauce consists of ground squid sauteed with fresh garlic and olive oil. It was soooo freaking good!!!!! My mouth waters just writing about it.
(5)Jaclyn P.
I've been wanting to try this place for years but have never been able to get a table as the line is always around the corner. We were here late on a Saturday around 10pm. We were on our way to another restaurant, saw they had a table for 2 open so we took it. I had Mussels Marinara with the "black pasta" and my BF had the clams and linguine. Both were absolutely phenomenal. The mussels and clams were fresh and sweet and tasted perfectly of the ocean. Even though we're in New England, it's hard to get seafood this fresh and great tasting. Prices were decent for what you get. We both left stuffed to the gills but wishing we could stomach another plateful as it was SO good. Highly recommended but go late if you don't want to wait in line for 2 hours. PLUS, it's directly across the street from Mike's Pastry so you can ponder what you'll get there for dessert after.
(4)Paul Y.
Every so often, yelp ratings mislead innocent consumers down the wrong path. Today was such an experience. Let's lay out the facts first. The 30 day rating details, which is really only used in hindsight, reveal something startling--it drops to an average of rating of 3. That's a sudden drop in the trend. So, let's attempt to capture the experience. It's a classic hole-in-the-wall, teal framed Italian diner. People line up in anticipation of a gustatory orgasm, if you will. Expectations rise with every opening of the door, as the aroma of garlic in olive oil waft out into the streets. It's cold, but you tell yourself it's worth it. This synthetic rationalization knows not what's coming. You order the much talked about squid-ink pasta in the most classic form of any pasta, simple olive oil. A true test of ingredients and technique. When the waiter brings the plate to the table, you're confused at an unpleasant visual--but hey, the tongue and the stomach know best. You twirl it fashionably and sink to what's hard to explain. To say it's salty would be understatement and an insult to salts. It's mostly a two-dimension flavor of sodium that manifested itself into noodles. The other dimension is mind-blowing. You can taste the freezer's history through the specks of calamari that play with the minced garlic. Most seafood restaurants go for the taste of the ocean, but this one is not "traditional." It takes pride in it's freezer, but I don't. But the synthetic rationalization pushes you to finish at least half the plate, but you can only pretend for so long. So, you wait to make eye contact with the waiter, hoping something could be done about it. He never stops at your table. He walks by but never comes by. You pause and think how this experience could devolve any further, and it's through service. Surely, he would find it strange that people haven't finished their food. Surely, something's amiss. But know, he avoids you at all cost. When you leave away from the food, he collects and walks away. It is not a shock after the sodium pasta. It'd hard to beat. You feel a need to tell him something's wrong. So, as you leave you point that that "we had a hard time eating." He's quick and curt to display what hes rehearsed in his defense, "It's too late now. It's done. You finished eating." What's this? You can fix the food and quality with effort, and maybe the chef's have an off day. But this.. this is something you can't fix. Their arrogance will be their fall. I think it's time they stop insulting aglio olio, and the people they serve.
(1)Stephen F.
We went for lunch on one the Hottest days of the Year. We had Calamari with Pasta I had the Black Pasta. The food was excellent and the service was bar none and friendly. Owned and by the same family for almost 40 years. It's a small place where you're basically eating in the kitchen but the people are friendly. Don't expect any thing fancy you won't find high dining but you find great food and great service. Prices are average for the location
(5)Sue K.
It's tough to give this place a fair rating because the wait was ridiculously long (due to little seating), there was no air conditioning, and we were promised bread and never got it. That said...the food was the most delicious seafood masterpiece i have ever tasted. We ordered the squid ink pasta (so gooooodddddd), calamari (meh), and the stuff clams (amazing!). The price is good for the quality and the quantity of food. You should also try the lobster fra diavolo. Very much worth your money. The one waiter was also the best. What might make you hesitate to visit this restaurant is that there are about 5 tables. You will probably sit next right next to the people you stood in line with - and when i say right next to, i mean at the same table. You'll also probably wait 2 hours to sit in the small restaurant with the open kitchen. You will definitely feel that heat ....in the summer.
(4)Lillian C.
We went here on a rainy Friday night, and waited in the rain for 30 minutes for a table of two. Atmosphere: Very small, cozy restaurant. Be prepared to get friendly with your neighbors since the place can only seat 15-18 people at most. I would suggest coming here with a small group since it will take awhile to get seated with a party more than 5. Food: GREAT! Sicilian-style littleneck clams (appetizer) was the best dish by far. The sauce was a light, briny sauce with a touch of white wine. Clams were super fresh. Aglio olio (squid ink pasta with ground squid) was also a great dish (the ground squid was not too seafoody, but had a great rich flavor. We also had the alfredo (great flavor, creamy and rich), and the calamari meatballs (look like regular meatballs in a light red sauce), which were also very good. I would definitely recommend this restaurant, but you will be waiting for a table, so be prepared.
(5)Shelby D.
Either location (Hanover St or in Seaport) is utterly amazing. Going on a weekday for lunch or a weeknight for dinner is ideal, although the Seaport location takes OpenTable resi's which helps with getting in faster to mangia. My most favorite meal ever, EVER, is the squid ink pasta with aglio olio. Ermahgahd. Just go and order it. Your welcome.
(5)joyce k.
Get the lobster dinner which comes with an entire lobster, clams, mussels, squid, and shrimp, all served over the most delicious angel hair pasta, dressed with a spicy tomato sauce. This dish costs $70 and is good enough to feed 2 people. I dont even like carbs but i gobbled up that pasta in minutes. It was seriously good stuff. THe only downside - the bread they serve is cold and store bought. Dont waste your stomach space on this. Be prepared to bring cash and wait patiently in line but dont worry - its totally worth it!
(5)G M.
I'm visiting Boston from Sarasota Florida and waited in line for 90 minutes. We were seated by our host / server Maximilian an extremely pleasant upbeat and very informative server. I am a huge foodie and travel the globe looking for the best of the best and I found it in the North end of Boston at the Daily Catch. Every second I waited in line was worth every bite. THE food was over the-top, Maximilian pleasant from beginning to end and I would recommend this restaurant to anyone ....doesnt matter how long you have to wait.
(5)Teresa Z.
We ordered the lobster. It was fresh and delicious. However, it's over-priced. For a lobster of around 2 bls, the price is $74. The restaurant is old, simple, and crowed. We didn't get much service, but with the price of dished, we eventually paid $100 including tax and tips, cash only.
(3)Kruttika V.
Ordered two pastas for three people. Was more than enough. And was amazingly delicious! Definite go-to place for seafood!
(5)Michelle F.
You know you're in for a treat if a tiny dining room in the North End is jammed full with a line extending down the block. This is positively the best Sicilian food I've eaten in years--maybe ever. The tables and kitchen are all in one cozy room, so you can watch the culinary magic happen. I came in at lunch and ordered the appetizer-sized squid ink pasta in puttanesca sauce: it was a ton of food, and outta this world. If you are in Boston looking for great Italian, stop here.
(5)Andy T.
Came here with a friend. We shared the calamari meatball ($6). I had the lobster fra diavolo (portion for one; $52), and my friend had the clam+calamari combo ($22). Our server was very nice to us. Our waiter was a guy. I guess the other reviews were complaining about a waitress? Anyway, I didn't encounter the service issues that other reviewers seem to have. I also came on a rainy day, so the line was actually pretty short. The meatball was very calamari-y. The calamari flavor was definitely there. It (oddly enough) reminded me of the chinese style squid balls. I liked it a lot, but I am not entirely sure if the strong flavor would suit everyone. I also wonder if the flavor would be better if it were dressed in red wine sauce instead of the classic red tomato sauce. The fra diavolo had one small lobster, along with clams, mussels, calamari, and plenty of pasta. It was definitely very filling. The flavor was definitely on spot; fresh seafood with a hearty tomato sauce that wasn't too overpowering. My only complaint is that my lobster tail was just a tad overdone. The tail meat was slightly chewy (just slightly). Otherwise the dish was just about as good as it gets. I compared my dish to the full portion version on the table next to me. I feel that I got probably about 60-70% of the portion as the other one. Surely, if you can get two people to share, ordering the full portion version (which is now $76) will definitely give you the better deal. But for a plate with a whole lobster and tons of other goodies, $52 isn't a terrible deal (and certainly enough food for two people if they aren't looking to stuff themselves like I did). The presentation of the dish also just makes it great for entertaining out of town guests. I will definitely be coming back again.
(4)Clo G.
Food is ok. Not clean, bad service, washing dishes while you eat making lots of noise. Won't come back, don't recommend it!
(3)David L.
This is my favorite place in the North End and one of my favorite seafood restaurants on the East Coast. This Italian take on seafood is truly incredible, and you can tell that they put a lot of love into it. I don't know how the single chef can produce such perfectly rendered mouth-joygasms, but he does it with serious sprezzatura. Here's what you have to know, though: CASH ONLY. And it is tiny. T-I-N-Y. It seats 20 people MAX. Some tables might as well be windowsills. At the peak hours after 6pm, expect a long wait. You queue outside, and you can't put your name down.
(5)Julia M.
Prior to coming to the Daily Catch, I had heard rave reviews about the place. So, I came to the restaurant with fairly high expectations. Unfortunately, those expectations of mine were not met, & I left the restaurant feeling rather disappointed. The food wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great either. It certainly didn't live up to the hype. I ordered the scallops, & they were chewy from having been overcooked. They were also gritty, which made for an unpleasant eating experience. The chef had also covered each scallop with a mound of unseasoned breadcrumbs so that all I could taste was bread. I scraped the breadcrumbs off, but removing the breadcrumbs did not improve the scallops' flavor. The restaurant is also tiny; there are only a few tables. Since the place is so small, the kitchen is not in a separate room from the dining area. The oven is right behind the tables, so during the summer, it can get quite toasty in the place. Lastly, be sure you come with cash on you, as they do not accept credit cards.
(2)