Located in the famed North End of Boston, Trattoria Il Panino is a beautiful fine dining experience for those who love authentic Italian cuisine. As soon as I walked into this cozy restaurant, I was almost immediately transported from Boston’s North End to an old-school trattoria, thanks to the rustic decor, warm glow from the lights, and the scent of garlic, pasta, and baked bread moving through the air.
If you are looking for the best Italian cuisine paired with an amazing espresso martini, this is your place. I stopped in for an early dinner with close friends when I was in this Boston neighborhood, and I was just as impressed with the food as I was with the ambiance. We were seated on the first floor, though there is also a patio and basement area.
As I was browsing the Trattoria Il Panino menu and sipping on my martini, I was definitely impressed with the authentic choices.
For my appetizer, I chose the zucchini flowers, or Fiori di Zucca, as I wanted something to remind me of my last trip to Rome. Speaking of Rome, I chose the Cacio o Pepe as my entree, and I have to say — the taste was literally out of this world. I also loved that it was served in a pan. (Don’t forget to take photos!). After this, it was time to enjoy a limoncello and then leave this quintessential Italian experience and head back to reality, which of course, was Hanover Street.
Trattoria Il Panino Reviews
Did others have the same experience that I had at Trattoria Il Panino? Let’s take a look.
On Yelp, as of March 2025, Trattoria Il Panino has a 3.9/5 star rating with over 1,400 reviews. I thought that was a little low, but once I read the reviews, it seemed like all of them said the same thing. It didn’t matter if the reviewer was in for lunch or dinner, most who rated the restaurant on the lower side all said this: the food was bland. Perhaps I didn’t experience this because I ordered the Cacio o Pepe, which is literally pasta, cheese, and fresh ground pepper, but my food was great!
Reviewers at TripAdvisor had the same sentiment. The reviews are filled with notes of underwhelming food, high prices, and mixed service experiences.
Trattoria Il Panino Dress Code
At Trattoria Il Panino, the theme seemed to be “casual dress for casual dining,” so you don’t have to dress extremely formal or fancy here. We saw people in jeans and t-shirts all the way up to dresses and ties. I will say that when we were there we didn’t see any children that I can remember, so it might not be a place to take the kids.
Trattoria Il Panino Location & Hours
Trattoria Il Panino
Address: 11 Parmenter St, Boston, MA 02113
Phone: (617) 720-1336
Website: www.trattoriailpanino.com
Final Thoughts
If you are in Boston’s North End, and you are looking for something that can transform you out of the city and into the Italian mindset, Trattoria Il Panino is a wonderful choice. Though reviews are mixed, my experience was great. Don’t forget — make a reservation. This place fills up quickly!
About Tim Schmidt
Tim Schmidt is a 20+ year Entrepreneur and Digital Marketer. A Fort Lauderdale-based "Digital Nomad," he enjoys traveling as much as possible with family and friends. AllWorld is his escape to document all of his adventures, including being a hardcore "foodie." He has property in Costa Rica and visits several times each year and is happy to offer his expert advice for planning your trip. Make sure to download the AllWorld Travel Hacks FREE ebook.
