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Giacomo's Ristorante
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
355 Hanover St(between Bennet St & Fleet St)
Boston, MA 02113
Neighborhood: North End
(617) 523-9026
- Nearest Transit:
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Commercial St @ Fleet St (4)
Commercial St @ Battery St (4)
Commercial St. @ Hanover St. (4)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 10:30 pm
Sun 4 pm - 9:30 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
About This Business:
Davide is best known for it's hand crafted pasta highlighted by the fussili which is made by the patriarch of the family Nonna Maria . The sheets of… read more »
857 reviews for Giacomo's Ristorante
Review Highlights
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"The butternut squash ravioli was rich and delicious." In 129 reviews -
"I thoroughly enjoyed the fra diavolo sauce." In 41 reviews -
"Their pumpkin tortellini was excellent too." In 44 reviews
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- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
857 reviews in English
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Review from Star B.
San Francisco, CA
5/17/2012
Can't believe I haven't written a review for this place. SMH.
My friend who moved to Boston earlier this year took us here when we visited in Feb. Got in line around 30 minutes before they opened up for dinner because we heard about the line and thank sweet baby jesus that we did!
The line got long super fast! As soon as they opened up, we got in with the first wave of people. We were so hungry at that point and we ordered the house special for two:
Zuppa di Pesce - shrimp, scallops, calamari, clams, mussels and lobster served over linguine with your choice of sauce. We got the Giacomo sauce and DAMN, that ish was soooooooo good!!!!!!!! $55 for that and we also got the bottle of wine for an additional $10. What a great deal!!
It said "For Two", but the serving was HUGE for my friend and I and we literally took it home and it took us 3 days to finish it. And YES, it was still delish after you nuke it surprisingly. LOL.
My mouth waters thinking about it, I personally think that the Giacomo sauce really completed the dish. I think they put crack in it or something. This place makes me want to go back to Boston all the time. I'll definitely be back. *drool..... -
Review from Camille M.
New York, NY
5/22/2012
Came here at around 6pm on a Wednesday night and waited about 20 minutes on line in the rain. Wasn't sure what I was getting into, but man was it worth it.
Got the mussels with calamari in butter and oil sauce (scampi?), and my date got the works in a tomato mix sauce -- I forget the name of the sauces at the moment. Both were perfectly seasoned, with perfectly cooked seafood -- not too overdone, just right. I thought I was going to need salt and pepper but I didn't at all. Both pastas tasted extremely good! The best Italian I've ever had. -
Review from Kevin L.
Charlotte, NC
5/22/2012 2 photos
Giacomo's is a great little restaurant in the North End. It's quite popular and often has a line. I must say that the food is very good but not great/excellent. I've been spoiled by Little Italy in NYC and this was not on par with those experiences. I will say though, the pricing is far cheaper and well worth the money.
My wife and I shared the Seafood Pasta for two with Lobster. I wasn't a fan of the lobster but I'm starting to think I'm just one of those weird foodies who is not a lobster fan. We had another couple directly beside our table who we hit it off with. They were great and the wine was flowing. Made for even more fun. Service is authentic and very kind. -
Review from Adrianne H.
Houston, TX
Many of you should venture out and try something that hasn't been recommended millions of times because chances are.... there are other fantastic dishes.
I ventured out and tried the Linguini with mussels and clams mixed with scampi sauce. AMAZING. The combination of all the ingredients made the dish complete and the array of flavors mixed great together. This is the first time ever having this dish in my life and I just cannot believe how great it was. Definitely get the Parmesan cheese on top, it adds to it. My only recommendation would be to add a slice of garlic bread with the dish but whatever. Who cares!
Fried calamari: ok but it kind of ruins your appetite due to the richness. I would opt out.
Garlic bread: I liked the use of olive oil rather than butter but for the love of god, add some garlic to it! It was way lacking.
Being from Texas where everything is "big", I had some major claustrophobia issues going on but it's expected in older towns. Just giving anyone else who has claustrophobia issues a heads up. -
Review from Christy D.
Houston, TX
5/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Can you imagine showing up at a place 15 mins before it opens, only to see a bustling restaurant where people are already eating, and with one table for two left? That's what it's like at Giacomo's.
My friend and I started with the calamari, which was good. The marinara is perfect and I love the fried slices of peppers thrown in with the squid rings. I have had calamari a lot and this was rather standard--it didn't blow others out of the water. I would probably start with another appetizer next time to try something different. I think if you skip this to save room for other dishes, you're not missing much. I had the glass of chianti, which I would recommend.
For the entrees, I had the homemade fusilli with the Giacamo sauce (their creamy tomato sauce) with lobster and shrimp. The shrimp were great, but the lobster, not so much. It was very chewy. The pasta was wonderful though...nothing beats homemade pasta! If I got this again, I'd nix the lobster and get the diavolo sauce (the spicy tomato sauce). The cream didn't do much for the sauce and I think the spiciness would've put more zing in the dish.
My friend had the linguini with clams and mussels and the Scampi sauce (white wine, garlic and olive oil). Her plate was tastier than mine, but it's hard to find something more complementary to mussels than wine and garlic. She raved about this dish for days, and rightly so.
The garlic bread was nothing special. It was lacking in the garlic taste and was pretty greasy from the olive oil. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just not how I like my garlic bread (I prefer more garlic taste and butter).
Would I come back here? Sure! Would I wait in line for hours...probably not. I'd make sure to go early, as in, before they open. -
Review from Ambrose C.
Boston, MA
Are you looking for some tasty seafood served with pasta in a casual, small and quaint Italian restaurant? Are you willing to wait in a long queue for a while so you can sit inside? Do you have enough cash to pay a little less $20 for your dish? If you said yes to all of the questions above, this place has your answer. If you are looking for just the one and only place for a seafood pasta dinner in the Italian North End, where the prices are moderate for a meal, then this is probably one of the best choices.
It's been about two years since I last ate at this place, but I finally got a chance to revisit again after hanging out with a couple of people I know from the Toronto area that were visiting. I decided to get the $19 Fruitti di Mare, which had mussels, shrimp, calamari, clams and scallops. I decided to get Fra Diavolo Sauce, which is a red tomato sauce with a little spice. The people that I know got the $20 special dish where you get half of a lobster, with mussels, clams, and shrimp doused in the Giacomo's sauce, which is a red tomato flavored sauce similar to the Fra Diavolo sauce, but with no spice at all. The pasta served was linguini, which is a thin, flat, wide, but curvy noodle-shaped pasta.
Pasta portions continue to be excellent. One pasta dish should be enough to fill the stomach of a very hungry man. The seafood is freshly cooked and tasty. I liked the Fra Diavolo sauce more than the Giacomo's sauce mainly due to the spice in the flavor. The Giacomo's sauce was good, but tasted almost like an ordinary but good quality tomato sauce. The shrimp was meaty and plump, and the calamari had a nice tender texture. Lobster is freshly cooked, and I spent a considerable amount of time eating every piece of meat on my lobster piece. Scallops were tender and also tasty, but were not too big. The clams and mussels were tasty, but are really small.
We also had a small plate of Calamari as an appetizer, and it is probably one of the tastiest calamari dishes I had. Nice and crispy on the outside, and tender and chewy on the inside. The sauce provided made the calamari even tastier. Bread portions are a little small, but I got my stomach full from eating a lot of the pasta.
Since this place is really popular and the queues are long, I think a good time to come here is probably on a weekday at around 8:30 PM and not on a Friday or a Saturday evening. The wait was considerably shorter on a Monday than on a Saturday. Service is actually good, the server was really nice and able to answer any questions you may have. They are really nice enough to give you some tools to help you eat your lobster. They only take cash, so make sure you have some $20 banknotes in your pocket. The bathrooms are small, and it feels like you are actually going down the deck of a boat when you walk to the bathrooms.
Overall, this place continues to be a representation of Boston's seafood pasta dishes at its finest. If you are looking for a spacious and big restaurant, this is probably not the type of place I would recommend, but if you are looking for an almost excellent seafood pasta dish at a moderate price, and you are willing to sit at a small table, then this is a great choice.Listed in: Boston Dining Recommendations…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/9/2010
I really wanted to go this restaurant after hearing through word-of-mouth that the food was really… Read more »
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Review from Rianne D.
5/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Was it worth waiting 1 1/2 hours in 43 degree windy weather for a place that takes no reservations and is cash only? Absolutely, YES!
Not being a seafood pasta fan, I'd have to say that Giacomo's (or as the locals sound JACK-A-MOES) has the best seafood pasta ever!
Definitely try any of the following:
Zuppa di pesce (for two) - shrimp, scallops, calamari, claims, mussels and lobster over linguine with the giacomo sauce for $55. Add the bottle of wine for an additional $10.
Butternut squash ravioli with asparagus and cream sauce for $15.
Homemade fusilli with lobster and shrimp in the Giacomo sauce for $26
Toss in any bottle of wine for $17...deal!!
Only advice I have - do not try to go there with a party bigger than 4, if you can avoid it. It is that tiny. At least I didn't have to wait in the snow. Cuz that would really suck. -
Review from Jenny H.
I waited about 20 minutes on a rainy Sunday evening to eat here, and the food was just OK. The pasta is not amazing, but standard, decent Italian food I would get anywhere I think. I am not sure what all the hype is about this restaurant. I don't believe they make their pastas from scratch, although I think they do make their pasta sauce in house.
We got their caprese salad, their mozzarella was OK, but the tomatoes were really good, large slices of ripe, sweet tomatoes, with slices of roasted peppers, sprinkled with olive oil, balsamic vinaigrette, salt and pepper. I liked this dish because it added some freshness to an otherwise heavy meal.
Their linguine with calamari and mussels had a nice, spicy tomato sauce but the calamari was really rubbery, not fresh at all, and the mussels were OK. I got their butternut squash ravioli which was also OK, not as fresh or melt-in-your-mouth as I would have liked, and the alfredo sauce with asparagus that came with the ravioli was just OK , the asparagus was not cooked through so it tasted a bit stalky in my mouth.
Given the rushed ambience of the place (they plop the pasta dishes in front of you within 5 minutes of your order, and expect you to finish quickly so they can seat the line of staring customers waiting outside), I would probably go elsewhere to eat for a more relaxed, leisurely dinner. It's not worth the wait, in terms of both the food and the ambience. -
Review from Luke P.
Boston, MA
5/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
It's good, no doubt, but as I get older, I get less patient, more picky and my standards for food perfection only increase. This coupled with what seems like a steady North End tourist population increase over the past 10 years has made me less and less likely to bother showing up to Giacomo's only to wait for over a hour then be rushed through a cramped, chaotic dinner service.
:old man: Years ago, I used to be able to come here on a Friday/Saturday night, off-prime hours, and wait maybe 20 minutes max. Now it seems like even showing up at 8:30pm or 5:30pm results in an hour plus wait. :old man:
As others say, the food is very good. Not perfect and sometimes a little inconsistent, but overall one of the better places to get seafood pasta in the North End. The pumpkin tortellini is sinfully good also.
I understand their business model requires lightning fast service and being rushed in and out. I guess as I get older, I also become slower - 6 years ago I would have given a 4 or 5 star review. I usually love the servers though. There was an older man from years ago (not sure if he still works there) who was hilarious. -
Review from Tina D.
Oregon, OH
5/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
I will not rehash everyone else's accurate 5 star reviews. Had the pumpkin ravioli with asparagus sauce. Loved it.
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Review from Carolyn L.
Boston, MA
5/3/2012
It takes two to tango. First, there are the people who are so excited to see what all the hype is about at Giacomo's that they almost pee their pants waiting in line for approximately 1-1.5 hr on a Sunday at 4 pm. Then there are the over-worked workers who are trying to serve as many people as possible while maintaining some semblance of order on a Sunday at 4 pm. The combination of the two is not pretty. You're squished next to someone who talks about their crazy stalking ex-boyfriend (not kidding here) while pulling your chair in every 2 seconds to let the waitress or someone who needs to use the restroom through, until you've semi-permanently lodged yourself between table and chair you might as well be one. Not pretty. Or comfortable. I'm wincing as I type this.
To be fair, the food was fine. Like I had said about the South End Giacomo's, it's nothing spectacular, although admittedly the food was much better here than at the South End branch. However, the stressful and rushed atmosphere detracts from the experience and makes it difficult to actually enjoy your time and food. Well, you go there for the experience right? Because it's Giacomo's and you have to see what all the rave is about. Well, there you have it. You have been forewarned. -
Review from Keith O.
Beacon Hill, Boston, MA
4/29/2012
Service that would put a cattle prod to shame but decent food.
30 minutes of waiting in line, and then we were in! I grabbed a table like a runner stealing second base. The rest of the crowd did the same. Surprisingly, no injuries. The servers swarmed the room, bullying people to clear paths. The rude service and the din from the tightly-packed crowd made the rest of the 38.5 minutes feel like a rushed, headache-inducing blur. Here are some snippets I am able to recollect.
My pumpkin tortellini and my wife's eggplant Parmesan were on our table suspiciously quickly. Both were very tasty, but no, Alie A from 4/27/2012, this was not the best meal of my life. It wasn't even the best of my weekend. Most restaurants in the North End can make this. We didn't discuss this though, we dug into our meals.
The waitress squeezed in between neighboring tables every few minutes and slamming something on our table while barking, "You good?! You good?!". It was a loud place, but I knew this was what she was asking because she used the "thumbs-up" sign each time. You stay classy Giacomos!
Between forkfuls, I saw the waitress dropping the bills on people's tables. I started to shovel faster; my wife was falling behind. Then she came to ours, and started clearing the table...while we were still eating. Yup, she gave us our bill too.
We started to settle the bill when the most amazing thing happened; the waitress tipped herself. The bill was $44, I handed her $60 (I only had 20's and they don't take credit cards). She first asked me if I wanted change! I gave her a look, but undaunted, she said, "Do you want a 5 dollar bill or five one dollar bills?" Yes, she arbitrarily gave herself a 25% tip. Unbelievable.
How does this place stay open?! The food is good, not great, the service is atrocious, the ambiance is construction site-like and it is surrounded by much better places. You only have so many meals in your life--go somewhere else. -
Review from Alie A.
4/27/2012
Potentially my favorite restaurant in the world.
North End is one of my favorite locations ever in the US, I love the Italian love that occurs on Hanover Street. Giacomo's has a line halfway down the street every single night of the week. Plan on grabbing a drink before you come..because they will be rushing you out the moment you get settled. This should not deter you, however, from indulging in perhaps the best meal of your life. Their seafood selection and anything in the diavolo is mouth watering and so memorable that you will be dreaming of it months later. You watch them cook and then they watch you devour it..delicious. I can't even put into words how unbelievably amazing this place is. Just go..you will not regret it. Craving it right now.. -
Review from Jing Y.
Manhattan, NY
5/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
By far one of the most best Italian food I've had in awhile! For appetizer, I got the cream stuffed mozzarella with tomatoes and basil which was phenomenal! Their sauces are also really original and amazing, so it's worth the wait.
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Review from April K.
Boston, MA
5/24/2012
If you want a crave a home like atmosphere with you meal, this is the place. You might be seated to close to the next table, but that is the charm of this place. The food is delicious, and service is right on point. Definitely worth a try!
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Review from Jenny K.
4/23/2012 1 photo
There's no quibbling about it that the food here is awesome. Question is, are you insane enough to wait in that atrocious line for your lobster raviolis and seafood linguine? This is almost an existential question that you'll need to ask yourself.
I came here under the most stress-free and ideal conditions. Given that we walked in 15 minutes before they were technically even open, my partner and I scooped the last open table. This is at 4:45 pm! Like the other reviewers noted, the service here is just okay due to the hustle and bustle factor. And as for the people waiting for tables: You'll literally feel them glaring at you from outside, telepathically communicating for you to quit yapping and pay your tab.
Food is fantastic: Lobster raviolis, Seafood pasta, caesar salad, fried calamari, oh and the bread! It's like having an Italian grandma cooking for you! -
Review from Christine C.
Norwell, MA
4/5/2012
(CASH ONLY-fyi)
I don't think I can add anything that hasn't already been said over 800 times. The food is amazing. I had the butternut squash ravioli- amazing. My friend had the eggplant- she said it was amazing. Wine was good and cheap.
It's not the most comfortable restaurant- they really jam you in there. But its small, so that is to be expected. The service was meh. We sat for at least 20 minutes after we were finished to wait for our check. I found that surprising considering there was the usual line going up the block.
Either way, I suggest getting there early, and having good company with you because you will have plenty of time to chat, while you wait for your table, then wait for your meal. -
Review from Leigh F.
Grapevine, TX
4/9/2012
1.) CASH ONLY!!!
2.) Get there early! They open at 5 and start letting people in around 4:40 on the day we were there. Since we were waiting to meet somebody, we walked around and came back at 5:00.....and then waited an hour =(
I came in town this weekend to visit my friend, and bookmarked this place after seeing it on the Food Network. I'm one of THOSE people that tries to eat at as many places featured on Triple D, Rachael Ray, etc.
Here's what I suggest:
You have to get the calamari.
I got the special which had fresh lobster and shrimp, in the Giacomo sauce with fussili pasta. Amazing. I also tried my friends meals: Veal Marsala, Chicken Parm and Lobster Ravioli. All delish.
I read a lot of reviews where people complained about being rushed...we didn't feel that way at all. If I come back to Boston I'll be back. -
Review from Kathy C.
South Hamilton, MA
4/8/2012
Way too crowded inside. Got up twice to let people pass through to either sit at or leave the table that was literally right behind me. Had shrimp and scallops and Giacomo sauce over linguine.... my mom's spaghetti has a more exciting taste. Maybe I don't know how to appreciate authentic Italian pasta, but I don't see what's so special about the taste. Service is quick, obviously, since they have a line much of the time. Came here on a Sunday (Easter Sunday) for dinner around 5:45 and waited in line for about 15 minutes for a party of 3. We got lucky and jumped the line when a table for 3 opened up while we were waiting. Would I come here again and pay $20 for another pasta entree? Probably not.
Went to see what all the hype was about and was kinda disappointed.
Oh but one thing. Best calamari I've ever had. Includes fried peppers! -
Review from Jason G.
4/3/2012
People like Boston because of Larry Bird, Tom Brady, Samuel Adams beer or the chowda. I like Boston because of Giacomo's. I highly recommend you get there very early or very late because once this place opens its lights out. The food is extremely memorable. Very fresh and the small intimate setting really adds to the experience. It's like eating in your Italian grandmother's kitchen, only you're not Italian.
Gnocchi is out of this world and I would say skip dessert and walk down the street to Mike's Pastry for a cannolli afterwards. There are two Giacomo's but I prefer the North End. This place is a top 5 restaurant in Boston, no question.Listed in: Jason G's Put Ons
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Review from Linda C.
Cambridge, MA
5/15/2012
Their Island Creek oysters are mushy gems from heaven and their cioppino is the BEST in the North End. This is the best place to splurge. The quality of food here is consistent and never disappoints me.
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Review from Adam C.
3/22/2012
I wouldn't recommend waiting half your life for a table but if you happen to get out of work early or something you could do a lot worse than stopping in for delicious Italian food at Giacomo's. My personal favorites include the calamari (crisp and nowhere near as greasy as many others') and linguine with the namesake Giacomo sauce.
This ranks very high on the best sauces in Boston list. Cream and lobster broth along with acidic punch make for an absurdly rich and savory final product that is well worth the caloric guilt. Speaking of guilt, the serving sizes are immense. I'll be damned if anyone has ever left here hungry in all the years they've been open.
I don't know if he's the owner or not but the old Italian man that served most of the tables there is a total class act and straight up hilarious. The only downsides are cash only and the absurd wait for a table, so much so that I wouldn't even think about coming on the weekend...although they do offer take out so that's a slightly better option if you're in dire need of a massive plate of pasta. -
Review from S J.
North Waltham, MA
5/14/2012
Do not bother for Vegetarian food. Its just average, considering the high ratings for the place. The caprese salad, the mozzarella was not fresh enough, the tomatoes were cheap ones with lots of ugly seeds and white pulp, not the delicious ones that were expected, and hardly any basil. The Eggplant Parm was less than average, super soggy and all hidden under the Marinara sauce. The marinara was good. Pumpkin Tortellini was good, the squash Ravioli was again very average.
The owners were a bit rude though funny. Not Going Back. -
Review from Aris L.
Los Angeles, CA
4/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Best italian restaurant in boston...we ordered 4 dishes.. all of them taste excellent..the staff are also very friend..the queue was very long..so i recommend to go there before the restaurant close because the line is not going to be that long..
CONCLUSION = RECOMMENDED!!! MUST TRY!!! -
Review from Beached W.
Bedford, NH
3/31/2012
Fantastic. Giacomo's has such amazing food. It's a small (like, smaller than a 7-11) restaurant, and there's pretty much always a line outside. Don't fear....it's worth it. It's a busy place, so not the best for the quiet, intimate dinner date, but if you're looking for some of the best Italian food around, this is it.
No cash, no reservations....come prepared! -
Review from Karen B.
Roseville, CA
5/2/2012
Authentic North End Italian experience. Lots of food but the chicken was Very very tough. Don't believe I've ever had such tough chicken breast. So far I'm feeling like these Bostonians should visit California and find out what great food tastes like. VERY crowded. You are eating with strangers at pretty much the same table.
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Review from Da W.
Somerville, MA
3/20/2012
Oh my goodness this place is heaven! I've been a few times and it's always been delicious. A group of 8 of us went for St. Patrick's Day (early!), and we ended up waiting about 40 min for a table, which really wasn't too bad, especially with the gorgeous weather. We were shamelessly salivating in the windows over the other diners' meals in anticipation...hopefully we weren't too creepy, but we really couldn't help ourselves. :-)
While the downside was our longer wait for a table, the upside was the variety of dishes we all got to try. I ordered the ziti with chicken, shrimp, and a pesto cream sauce, which was AMAZING, but I also tried the chicken marsala, the butternut squash ravioli, and the chicken parm.
Everything was delicious, and so affordable too. Our waitress was very nice as well. The only "downside" I would cite aside from the wait would be that they tend to rush you out the door a little bit. However, I personally can't really fault them for this, as I would really hate to make the other people in line outside wait any longer than necessary for such a yummy meal.
Love love love this restaurant! -
Review from Joanna C.
Irvine, CA
5/8/2012
Why another review?
Because I want to. AND, I also want to recommend the South End location over this North End establishment if you're looking to get away from the tourists and just want a good meal.
The food, of course, is delicious. The wait to get in ranges from horrendously round-the-block to a quick shuffle to the front door. Service is loud, friendly, fast and fun. Apparently there is an older gentlewoman (owner? manager?) that some have described as "spicy" in demeanor - but I find her comfortably blunt, like one of my cantankerous aunts.
Try everything - but I would recommend...
Calamari: fried to perfection with a jalapeno kick
Frutti di Mare: everything that's good about the sea is in here (shrimp, scallops, calamari, clams and mussels) on top of linguine, stick with the Giacomo sauce (lobster broth-based). OR, try the FraComo which is a blend of the house Giacomo sauce with Fra Diavolo (gives it an extra kick)
Butternut Squash Ravioli: sweet, creamy pillows of YUM with asparagus. The proscuitto mascarpone sauce is a perfect complement.
Lobster Special for 2 aka Zuppa di Pesce : it can feed a family of 4, basically the Frutti di Mare times 2 with lobster on top
Try it all with their birra italiana. -
Review from John I.
Boston, MA
5/10/2012
I decided to write a review for that place after reading all the amazing(!!!) reviews about it.
NO! The food is not the best I've ever had. I have had amazing meals in much better places for less money and treated better too.
The food is OK. Nothing special, but OK.
The service is HORRENDOUS. Rude and unprofessional. They even came to take my plate while I was eating and without even asking me if I'm done.
Mediocre place for people who know nothing about Italian food. AVOID. -
Review from Sommer W.
Los Angeles, CA
4/10/2012
This is the BEST pasta in Boston. The North End is full of wannabe Italian restaurants but Giacomo's is on another level. The Pumpkin Tortellini is one of my favorite dishes...ever. I've been here countless times and always order the same thing (and I've tried most of the menu) I'm the last person to even look at the "Vegetarian" part of the menu so I'm not sure why I ordered it the first time...but I believe it was fate...or maybe it was the words "fresh sage mascarpone sauce". It's sweet and savory and one of my favorite dishes.
Normally I'd take a star away for atmosphere (small, crowded, and a bit rushed) but the tortellini is too good...
Tip: They don't take reservations or credit cards. Go early or prepare to stand outside and wait. Order the Pumpkin Tortellini. -
Review from Kimberly M.
Oak Lawn, IL
3/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
I went on a Monday night at around 7ish. I was expecting a long line from all the reviews but luckily I was the first one waiting at the door. The place was PACKED so it was still a bit of a wait. Again, I got lucky because a couple was just finishing up and I was able to get seated in less than 15 mins.
There were so many dishes I wanted to try but only one me to eat it all. I settled for their special that day, which was 1/2 lobster, mussels, and clams with your choice of sauce over linguini. I had to try their house sauce.
After a short while, I had a heaping pile of pasta seafood in front of me. I was debating on giving 4 stars only for the fact that it was really hard to eat the half lobster. It was coated in sauce but had the shell intact and harder to scoop out than the mussels and clams. But I realized that was just my fatass side complaining because I could not eat it all without stopping. -
Review from Adam N.
Walla Walla, WA
3/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Wow. Amazing pumpkin pasta. Was well worth the wait. Friendly staff, fun and authentic-feeling atmosphere, packed with people - truly a neat spot to eat. I would come here again.
Be prepared to wait outside, 'cause there ain't much room inside. But trust me, it's worth the wait :). -
Review from Nancy W.
Boston, MA
3/27/2012
I've seen the lines and have read the reviews, and the only thing I wonder is... "really, guys? really?"
You can find much better Italian food elsewhere. I also wouldn't give an Italian restaurant more than 3 stars if they don't offer handmade pasta that's made daily...
Flavors were good, service was okay, but all in all, I wouldn't make the effort to fight against tourists to go back to this place, especially if the same amount of money can buy me a better experience at Sportello. -
Review from Jenny W.
Ann Arbor, MI
3/26/2012
I ate here two years ago and I STILL dream about this meal. BF and I got the best seat in the house - right at the bar where we could see the amazing chefs at work.
I had the scallops in their tomato sauce(made with lobster) and it was HEAVEN. Hands down the best Italian food I've ever had and nothing will ever come close. The next time I'm in the area, this is definitely on the itinerary. GO HERE!! -
Review from Jonathan H.
El Dorado, CA
3/25/2012
Wow .. everything is great here..
We literally ordered 2 additional orders of garlic bread after trying it. The pasta is wonderful and the sauces were amazing.
I tried the Spicy Lobster Tomato sauce (Along with Clams / Mussels / Lobster) over pasta.. Was simply out of this world good.
Ceaser salad also was very rich on flavor. -
Review from Matt H.
Boston, MA
5/3/2012
Hands down Giacomo's has the best food in the North End. There is always a line to get in and for very good reason, the food is awesome. I typically go with the Zuppa di Pesce with the fra diavolo sauce and as an appetizer I would get the Fried Calamari. They are both good size portions, reasonably priced and always hit the spot! The last view times I've tried the lobster ravioli which has also been excellent. I totally understand if people are turned off by the quick service and the almost speed eating like atmosphere but I am totally ok with it because the food outweighs anything negative about Giacomo's. I've eaten at Giacomo's a number of times and I have never had a problem with the staff and they have always been professional towards me. That being said, it's totally up to you! I think this place is great and you won't be disappointed!
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Review from May W.
Mountain View, CA
4/24/2012
We went on Sunday at 8pm and only waited about 15 minutes for a table for 3 people. The bottles of wine are such a steal and the food comes out quick. We started with calamari with a delicious dipping sauce and their garlic bread. So good. I then had the scallops in their house sauce with fettucini. My friend had the butternut squash ravioli, which was divine. DIVINE. Go for that, and you won't regret it.
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Review from Eunice J.
2/28/2012 3 Check-ins Here
I've been here way too many times for my own good. Each time I've gone, I've regretted the amount of food that I ate.
SERVICE: Each time I go, I end up having the same waitress. She turned me off a lot at the beginning but I think I'm beginning to get used to her. She's pretty rude and pushy, but she's a good waitress. She knows what's good, and how to get the food out quickly.
FOOD: You must, MUST start off with the calamari. Probably the best that I've ever had. Fried to perfection. And the jalapeños. YUMMZZ. Fried heaven. I've always gotten the Giacomo's Special for two. Honestly, the best part is that it's a good deal. For like $50 you get a whole lobster, more than enough mussels, clams, shrimps, and the occasional jackpot (scallops!). Other than that, I'd say that the dish itself isn't the best thing that I've ever had. For some reason, the sauce just reminds me of Buca's (chain Italian restaurant) Frutti di Mare pasta. Sad. Oh, the $10 bottle of wine is also a fabulous deal. I don't think I've ever been to a restaurant with such cheap alcohol!
If you want the Boston experience, and the more bang for your buck, you should definitely consider going to Gaicomo's for dinner.
BONUS:
1) The wait is always ridiculously/annoying long. It's NOT worth the wait. I'd recommend that you just go around 8-8:30PM. You won't have to wait. I've come here around that time on a Tuesday and Sunday, and I've probably waited at max 5 minutes on both occasions. Plus, if you come later they won't really rush you to finish your meal (since there is no one outside waiting to take your place!)
2) CASH ONLY -
Review from Aez A.
Boston, MA
2/13/2012
I've been wanting to try out Giacomos for a while now. My sister was in town so I figured this would be a great opportunity.
Heeding the advice of other yelpers about the long wait times, we scampered over early (530). There was no line so we walked in only to be rushed out by a waitress before we could find the host.
NOTE: there is no host and no where to wait inside, this place is smaaaall. Protocol is to wait outside the door if there is no line- you are the line, someone will come out & ask how many people are in your party, and if everyone is present.
-After about 10-15 minutes of waiting, the line had now grown to 3 more parties of 2-4 people, we were seated. woo hoo.
-the tables are super close together, it makes maneuvering and jacket taking-offing awkward- be prepared to make nice with your neighbors!
- Our waitress was nice but busy. she brought out some bread- room temp wheat bread w/ olive oil. None of us were impressed by it... good thing it was just bread, right? no big whoop.
-We ordered some calamari as an app. super good, I'd totally recommend it. the breading is light and the calamari isn't rubbery.
-Our waitress suggested a few things, we took her advice by ordering the lobster ravioli and pumpkin tortellini. and my cousin ordered the shrimp linguini with the diavolo sauce.
--the lobster ravioli really good, a great creamy sauce. Initially I didn't think it would fill me up, boy is it deceiving; i had to pace myself so I wouldn't finish it before the others. After I had finished, I was surprised by how satisfying it was.
--My sister loved her Pumpkin tortellini, I thought it was too sweet. I wasn't a big fan of it that night or the next with the leftovers.
--My cousin's dish was by far the biggest portion wise, I didn't get a chance to try it but she loved it, especially the sauce- sayingit was perfectly spiced. If you are super super hungry- I'd suggest the linguini- it's a mountain of food; but in the end it was just pasta, sauce, and shrimp... tough to mess up, no?
- the entrees range between $15-20. with the specials priced higher but still all below $30
-It's cash only but there is an ATM across the street- I'd suggest going before you are seated because it's tough & awkward to move around the place.
-We noticed that by the time we were seated and about to order (6330ish), the line outside had extended beyond the restaurant; easily to beyond 15 people. SO come early or bring some hot chocolate and extra gloves. -
Review from Matt H.
Middlesboro, KY
3/26/2012
What can be said about Giacomo's that hasn't already been said? It is top notch Italian and well worth the 1hr wait (mercifully it was warm out). It's a bustling Italian place and it was loud, busy, and perfect. It would take VERY little to convince me to become a regular here...too bad I don't live in Boston.
I had the fruit de mer with a mixed sauce (can't remember the name). My hosts had the lobster fusilli. We all shared a calamari app. Food was excellent and service was prompt - absolutely recommended.
