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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tresca
Review
About
Travellers' Choice
2024
Tresca is an authentic Italian restaurant featuring hearty multi-regional cuisine with an exceptional wine cellar, offering a wide selection of the finest vintages. Recently named winner of the 'Wine Spectator' award of excellence. Tresca combines the Italian tradition of hospitality with food that comforts and welcomes its guests. The warm fireplaces and outstanding views of Hanover St. enhance every meal. The service is exceptional and the menu remarkable, a true dining experience.
Features
CUISINES
Italian
Meal types
Dinner
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Delivery
Gift Cards Available
Outdoor Seating
Parking Available
Private Dining
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Takeout
Television
Validated Parking
Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Menu
Does this restaurant offer delivery?
Reserve a table
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 4:00 PM
Sunday
4:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Monday
5:00 pm - 9:15 pm
Tuesday
5:00 pm - 9:15 pm
Wednesday
5:00 pm - 9:15 pm
Thursday
5:00 pm - 9:15 pm
Friday
5:00 pm - 9:45 pm
Saturday
4:00 pm - 9:45 pm
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4.6
260 reviews
Excellent
192
Very good
39
Average
14
Poor
11
Terrible
4
Peter M
Duxbury239 contributions
Sept 2024 • couples
I just experienced the most amazing dining experience in my life, dining at “Table 77” or the balcony table overlooking Hanover Street in Boston’s North End. This very special table requires a reservation made as far as a year in advance for a prime summer weekend evening. The reservation requires prepaying $200 for your food and beverage. I must insist that it is well worth the effort and cost.
The table is situated on a secluded intimate balcony overlooking the hustle and bustle of Boston’s Italian North End neighborhood. To say it is romantic is a huge understatement.
We started with a delicious appetizer of lobster stuffed mushrooms. The stuffing is a combination of buttered bread crumbs and lobster meat expertly seasoned and topped with a Hollandaise sauce. The Caesar Salad was a perfect blend of Romaine lettuce and Parmigiana cheese and a dressing with a hint of anchovies.
While the food is spectacular, the signature dish is Veal Chop a la Bourque (named after the restaurant’s co-owner and Boston hockey legend, Ray Bourque). The chop is served as a veal parmigiana, and the chop is a massive bone in cut (est. 24 oz.). It is pounded fork tender and cooked in a marinara sauce and smothered in melted cheese. It is served with a generous portion of pasta bolognese, which was scrumptious. It could easily feed two people. This was easily the best Veal Parmigiana that I have ever had including dishes in restaurants we visit in Italy.
The service was impeccable. The nice touch were the three visits the owner and chef, Richard Anzara made to our table during our sitting. The first to welcome us and answer questions about the menu. He highly recommended the veal chop knowing it would be sure to please. When my wife said she would order it as well he suggested a different dish saying my meal would be more than enough for me to share. The chef gave us a second visit to check on how we were doing and a final visit to thank us for coming. That is service you will find in no other restaurant.
We were too full for dessert.
For any Boston area resident or visitor, this is a bucket list experience. Remember you may need to reserve many months ahead for the balcony table.
Written 14 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter Weber
Awesome review. Thank you!
Written 17 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jerrys01
Bel Air649 contributions
May 2024 • friends
During our recent trip to Boston, my wife and I treated the daughter of our next-door neighbor, who lives in the area, to dinner at Tresca. We had a wonderful dinner together.
We shared a bottle of an enjoyable rose. My pollo bella bocca had a large chicken breast, very tender, served with a marsala sauce, provolone cheese, spinach, and some pasta. Very tasty & satisfying. Good sized portion, but able to finish.
The family friend had the black truffle gnocchi, made with ricotta cheese instead of potato. She was happy. The sauce was very good
My wife had the Bolognese, tagliatelle pasta with beef & sausage, and a rich tomato sauce. She was very happy, but only able to eat about half the very large portion.
Prices were a little on the high side, $185 for dinner, wine, tax and tip, but the high quality of the food, combined with good service by Felipe C, made the meal worth the cost.
Written 9 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter Weber
Glad you enjoyed your visit with us! Thank you!
Written 10 May 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paul H
Bournemouth1892 contributions
Jan 2025 • solo
I arrived without a booking, early for dinner at 4.15pm on a Thursday afternoon. However they were able to accommodate me, even though normally they start to take dinner orders at 4.30pm. The place itself has a pleasant rustic setting with a tiled floor, high chairs with matching tables. It also has a bar with one TV screen I think, so not too intrusive. The clientele struck me as being mainly local Boston residents. I ordered the Belgian Frites for starters and the Eggplant Parmesan for mains. Both were large portions were even suitable for two people. They tasted quite nice too. It is great to see such a restaurant having vegetarian options such as these, as well as a vegan pizza and a vegan ravioli dish on the menu. This is highly unusual for Boston based on the two occasions that I visited the city in the past 12 months. . The other positive feature was the staff. They were very friendly, accommodating and brought the dishes quite quickly to my table. When I left at 5.15pm the place was filling up. So making a reservation is very advisable.
Written 2 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter Weber
Thanks for your comments. We actually get many out of town visitors seeking a true North End experience. With all your positive comments, what did we miss that you rated us 4 stars?
Written 3 February 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bill G
South Boston77 contributions
Aug 2024 • couples
This was the best Italian food we have had in years. We have been to many of the top restaurants in the North End and this is by far the best in all categories. We had cocktails and a bottle white wine which were great and reasonable priced. But the food!
Appetizer of Carpaccio, entrees Swordfish Puttanessca - fresh that day and tge sauce exquisite, pounded veal chop piccatta style with side of pasta in a bolognese sauce. Magnificent. Veal chops are their specialty. Chef and owner Rich Ansara came to the table several times and was a wonderful host. Service was excellent.
Eat here! Enjoy!
Written 24 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter Weber
Fantastic, thank you!
Written 26 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
gators70
Temple Terrace52 contributions
Sept 2024 • couples
After reading reviews on here we had to try this restaurant and it did live up to its reputation. We stopped by to see if we could get a table for 2 and were able to make a reservation so we could finish walking The Freedom Trail.
I got the lasagna and it was delicious. My husband wanted veal parmigiana. They told him how it was made and the lady next to us had it and was raving about it so he said okay. The food is very plentiful and we easily had enough for two meals. The reason I say buyer beware is that the special veal dish was $70. So if you don’t see the price on the menu and they tell you about special you should probably confirm the cost.
But yes highly recommend this restaurant in Boston’s North end Little Italy. The food was great.
Written 29 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter Weber
The Veal chop is listed with the price on the menu, and the waiter will advise of cost.
Written 30 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Brett B
East Lansing76 contributions
Oct 2024 • friends
After reading several reviews about Tresca, my friend and I decided to visit. A reservation is recommended to secure a table. Upon arrival, we were shown to our seats upstairs, and we began our meal with an order of calamari as an appetizer. The presentation was appealing, and the taste was enjoyable. However, the dish was a 50/50 mix of fried calamari and fried red peppers, which I did not prefer, so I set the peppers aside.
For our entrées, I ordered lasagna, while my friend chose a pasta special with mussels. The lasagna was flavorful but comparable to what you might find at Olive Garden. Though I enjoy Olive Garden, I was somewhat disappointed given the pricing difference. My friend’s dish, however, was a bigger letdown. It lacked seasoning, and the pasta was not fresh, leaving it tasting bland. Unfortunately, the mussels contained an unusual amount of grit, and my friend even discovered a fish bone in the dish, despite it not containing fish.
To add to the experience, we struggled to locate our server when we needed assistance. After finally speaking with the waitress, she responded dismissively to our feedback, asking, “What do you want me to do?” —a response that did not align with standard customer service. The manager later approached but seemed indifferent, merely nodding as we explained our concerns.
Ultimately, the combination of poor food quality and inattentive service left us disappointed with our visit. I would not return to this establishment. Instead, we dined at Mamma Maria’s the following day, which I highly recommend for an enjoyable dining experience.
Written 29 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter Weber
This review has been posted on numerous sites in an effort to unfairly attack the restaurant. While many efforts were made to please this customer, he has chosen this path instead. Viewers of this review can also see the thousands of 5 star reviews across all platforms for Tresca, which should inform the reader.
Written 30 October 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
RobTangeman
Gainesville320 contributions
Jul 2024 • family
We wanted a great Italian dinner in Boston during our visit and Tresca delivered. The great food was only eclipsed by the amazing service. Tresca truly cares and delivers an amazing experience. Here's an example. My daughter orderd Pasta with Butter. The owner/chef came out to check on us and joked about her simple order asking her if she'd like some meatballs to accompany it. She did and 60 seconds later she had a bowl of meatballs to accompany her pasta. We also had the Pollo Santio and I splurged on the Veal Chop Parm. Huge and amazing! The owner/chef checked on us multiple times to the point that the girls wanted a picture! A great memory and hope to return one day.
Written 13 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter Weber
Love this review! Thank you!
Written 13 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gail C
Burlington40 contributions
Jun 2024 • friends
Tresca offers a delightful dining experience with its exquisite Italian cuisine and cozy ambiance. The pasta dishes are fresh and flavorful, and the service is attentive and friendly. Highly recommend for a lovely evening out!
Written 19 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter Weber
Thank you!
Written 9 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Catherine B
Trumbull90 contributions
Jan 2024 • business
This is my favorite restaurant in the North End. There are so many to choose from but the trifecta of atmosphere, service, and delicious food makes Tresca the winner! I love the carbonara and the stuffed meatball appetizer. My daughter had Bolognese, delicious!!! And you can taste the freshness of the Pasta. Chef Rich makes his way to every table to express his gratitude and genuinely wants to know what you think. Don't get overwhelmed by all the choices, just choose Tresca!
Written 18 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter Weber
Thank you!
Written 21 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
09robbins
Swanley234 contributions
Sept 2023 • couples
We had lobster ravioli & bolognese for mains & tiramisu & chocolate lava cake for dessert, all of which we really enjoyed. We also had cocktails which were delicious. Service was very slow, which we didn't mind as we weren't in a rush, however a glass of wine that we ordered at the start didn't arrive until after we'd finished eating, and one of our desserts firstly got forgotten, and then the wrong item was brought to us. Our waitress also spilt a drink over another customer & wished another customer a happy anniversary, although it was a birthday, so she didn't have the best of nights.
Written 29 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter Weber
Thank you for your comments. We apologize that we didn't meet your service expectations. We always strive for the best possible service, but with some new staff members, we continue to provide training to meet everyone's expectations.
Written 9 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TCIgal
795 contributions
Feb 2023 • couples
My husband and I had dinner at Tresca a couple of days ago. We shared the meatball appetizer and then we both had a nightly veal chop preparation. Everything was absolutely delicious and the portions were extremely generous. The veal came with a side of pasta that had a Bolognese sauce. This was also fantastic. The service was warm and friendly, as well as efficient. We parked in the garage where the restaurant provides validation, so only paid $3 to park - a bonus. We will definitely be back.
Written 21 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter Weber
Awesome! thank you!
Written 13 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
imafloridacracker
Melrose117 contributions
Sept 2023 • couples
We choose almost all of our restaurants after consulting TA. There were several others that TA ranked higher than Tresca, but Tresca was the only one that worked out. And we are so happy it did!
We started with the stuffed meatballs and their melt in your mouth goodness got us really excited for what was to come. Our server (and I'm so sorry I neglected to get her name) said the Tresca salad was big enough we could split it, which is what we did. Fresh and delicious ingredients. Why can't more restaurants figure out that a great salad is always best served COLD!
My wife ordered the black truffle gnocchi and it was to die for, in addition to being such a large portion she barely finished half of it. If we hadn't been getting on a plane early the next morning we would have taken it with us.
But the piece de resistance was the lobster filled ravioli. I don't know which was better, the house made pasta or the incredible chunks of lobster, but together they made for one of the most memorable Italian meals I've ever had (and we've been all over Italy many times). There were no leftovers for me :-)
Unfortunately, it'll probably be a while before we make it back to Boston, but I will be heading straight to Tresca when we leave Logan!
Written 23 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter Weber
Thank you!
Written 9 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lori
Plymouth10 contributions
Aug 2023 • friends
We lucked out. Finished a tour in the North End and were able to get a table at 5:15pm without a reservation. The owner came to our table to welcome us and made suggestions and was clearly passionate about his menu and food preparation. We loved the stuffed meatball appetizer and stuffed lobster mushroom. The guys ordered the lamp chop and my husband is still raving about it.
I loved my veal special. Service was impeccable. So refreshing to be completely satisfied with a dining experience.
Written 23 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter Weber
Awesome! Great review, thank you!
Written 25 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SariMichele
Albany84 contributions
Feb 2023 • family
Food was good, not great, overall experience was fair. Service was slow, servers very chatty at the hostess station vs. their guests…very nice attitudes, just not professional. A good neighborhood restaurant, but not particularly the authentic Italian atmosphere expected for a first visit to Boston’s North End. Veal Milanese was dry and overcooked, but chicken parm and eggplant parm good. Dessert was terrible, chocolate chip cookie not homemade and pastry on top hard to eat.
Written 27 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin
Hilton Head252 contributions
Jul 2023 • couples
We have eaten in most of the Italian Restaurants in Boston’s North End Italian neighborhood. Most are very good. Tresca on Hanover Street however is our favorite. Food and service are exceptional. Exec Chef/Owner Rich Ansara prepares each dish like he wants to make you happy. He also spends time in the dining room interacting with his guests which was great to see. It’s nice to see the Chef and Owner so involved with making every guest feel welcomed and special. The enhanced hospitality from Chef Rich and the entire Tresca Team coupled with awesome food will make you happy. Our server Jessica was awesome.
Written 1 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter Weber
Thank you!
Written 6 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Wandering around Boston’s North End can feel like being transported to Europe. Stroll down Hanover and Salem streets for the finest Italian restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and a few boutique shops. Take part in the big debate as to whether Modern Pastry or Mike’s serves a better cannoli. Before your food coma sets in, make sure to stop by historic Paul Revere’s home, and follow the Freedom Trail to Old North Church and Copp’s Hill Burying Ground. Take a rest in a cafe on Hanover street and observe the quirky, European character of the North End.
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