Great reviews, figured we'd check it out. Had to wait for a table, small place. Once in, service was quick. Bread was cold and stale. Food was good, few pastas and a salad. Never saw our server again once food was brought. Overall, not bad at all.
Easily my new favorite Italian place in the North End. The service was absolutely incredible. Our waitress was hilarious and sold us on the homemade pasta. It was probably the best Alfredo and pasta I have ever had. We will be going back again and again.
The best tasting food, flavor 11.
We went there the day before my birthday and ended up there again for my birthday. Incredible.
One of the staples of the north end in Boston. Al dente is a place I have gone to for so many years and have always loved the service, food, and prices relative to the rest of the neighborhood.
I have come here for dinners and lunches alike. The appetizers and salads are quite normal. The bruschetta is a highlight for sure. Al dente wins with their drinks - sangria and their wine selection - and their main courses. Highlights for the main courses include their lobster ravioli - best in boston! - their chicken dishes, and their handmade pasta specials.
More than that, Al dente definitely encapsulates the wonderful atmosphere in little Italy of Boston. It's almost always full, but you can always get a table, or order in if you cannot venture out (delivery and pickup options available). The staff is so fun and they give adults lemoncello with the check. Overall, love this place and hope to visit again soon!
5 stars for this wonderful little restaurant right in the heart of the North End! We have been to Beneventos a few times which has the same owner as Al Dente but we were looking to try something new. We had a fabulous waitress, Joanna. She was humorous, super friendly and on top of her stuff! For appetizers we ordered calamari and spinach crepes. Calamari is a North End staple but the crepes were something fun to try. As for the main course we ordered chicken milanese, chicken marsala, chicken umberto and lobster ravioli. Great quality and great portions! Apps + food are a little pricy but very typical for the North End. Also they validate parking which is a HUGE bonus!
The pastas were great! Portions were huge as well. I liked the Al Dente Gnocchi! The restaurant seems popular but it was slightly noisy.
This place was incredible. My family and I enjoyed a solid Italian dinner with exceptional service.
Had a large party (10) and headed to the North End after the TD Garden. Tried to get into LaFamilia’s, they said hour and 1/2 wait! But the hostess recommended Al Dente’s. Glad she did! Smallish spot but they got us right in and were able to seat us together at a large table at the back. Smelled great coming in so we were looking forward to our dinner. I had the pasta putenesca, great flavor and the homemade linguine was a plus. My wife had chicken marsala, also great flavor and the portion was huge. Didn’t try other dishes at the table but everything looked and smelled great.
Bread served pre-meal was fresh and plentiful too. Glad we were made aware of this spot. The servers were amazing and we will be back.
Both my husband and I said this was our favorite meal during our time in Boston. I got the ravioli with marinara and he got the shrimp scampi. Cute little place and the staff was very nice. Great amount of food for the price!
Always have a good meal here. Gluten free options are amazing.
They are always slammed, so just anticipate a tight space. Little loud. Worth it
Get your money well spent at Al Dente! There are definitely many other great Italian restaurants in the North end and I can’t say that Al Dente has the best pasta ever. But I can say that the service here is absolutely phenomenal!! Staff is very friendly and your water will always be refilled. Called in advance and they were able to make space and seat my large group of 15. There are also so many options to choose from and food is priced reasonably. Food came out quickly and enjoyed my time here
Huge portions! Excellent food. The vodka tomato sauce is amazing.
Loved the eggplant parmesan. The lobster ravioli was also excellent.
Bread brought to the table complimentary.
Moderate size wine list with great choices of Italian wines.
Paired/shared ownership with the restaurant next door (sharing a bathroom and kitchen). Same owner for both places. Al Dente is the classic Italian restaurant. Next door is the trendy and upscale restaurant with the same food. Both places feel like something special-even on a Wednesday.
Kitchen is run by cooks from El Salvador who know Italian food and sauces.
Portions are huge and I should have saved half for later. Complimentary cream limoncello to end the meal.
If food is the goal, this place has whatnot takes.
food was fresh, tasty, and came in huge portions. highly recommend the bruschetta! i sat outside since the interior ambiance wasn’t super impressive. the service system was a little strange too. there was a hostess who sat us down and waited outside to greet customers, but she could not take orders from the customers seated outside? she always had to call the waitress over whenever we requested something. service was somewhat slow, but not bad.
What an exceptional establishment, with excellent Italian cuisine. Fresh, home made pasta with decadent additions. I loved their Chicken Umberto (on special) it was one of the best pasta dishes that I have had in years; juicy chicken, sautéed spinach, crisp cheese on top, served over their home made pasta.
I absolutely recommend coming to this restaurant hungry as their servings are massive!
What a hidden gem. We had some I'd the best Italian food ever. Home-made pasta put great dishes over the top. There were five of us each enjoying dishes like veal marsala, pasta and clams, and lobster ravioli. We even got an extra takeout of gnocchi, and it was one the best we ever had. Our waitress was superb - pleasant, funny and knew all the dishes.
Wait was very long even with a reservation. I had the pumpkin ravioli and it was mostly good but some bits of the pasta were still hard. Calamari with jalapeños??! Amazing combo. Service was really friendly and attentive. As for atmosphere it was quite small and loud I felt claustrophobic.
I still remember coming here a few years ago with my family. They sat us outside because they didn't have space for the amount of people we had in our party inside. The food was excellent. I ordered chicken parmesean as it is one of my favorite Italian dishes. It did not disappoint. You must go here if you are in Boston!
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