North End Boston Food Tour
North End Boston Food Tour
5
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About
Feast on Food and Culture
Experience the oldest neighborhood in Boston with a lifelong resident of 60 years. Discover hidden gems on our famous Hanover and Salem streets. All inclusive a delicious pizza from the only wood fired brick oven pizzeria in the neighborhood an Italian cold cut sandwich from one of our award winning Salumerias and for dessert a delicious homemade ricotta cannoli.
Boston, Massachusetts
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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North End Boston Food Tour
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,069 reviews
Excellent
1,048
Very good
17
Average
2
Poor
4
Terrible
0
Marilyn L
1 contribution
Aug 2020
Robert (Bobby) was wonderful. Since he grew up in the neighborhood, he shares his pride of the community and the community returns with smiles and acknowledgements that Bobby's the best. Even a Priest walking down the street greeted us while touring the North End. The culture and food was delightful. Loved the Sicilian tomato bread (pizza), the Italian Sub from Bricco's and tasted the best Cannoli I ever had from Mike's Pastries. Since the coffee shop was closed, Robert treated us with some take-home coffee to try. So if you are thinking that $69 is to much for a 3 hour tour, this is hardly the case when you start adding up the food, time and knowledge you receive in return. The food was so tasty that the next day we went back for another Italian sub and a cannoli. Both times, when ordering, I stated to give us what we had on the North End Tour and both times, they said- Oh Robert he is great!!! We agreed.!! Robert, after you told us the story of the Black Mass, we watch the movie that night in our hotel room - saw the green doors.
Written September 1, 2020
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.
Thank You Marilyn for this exceptional review I’m happy you enjoyed all the delicious food and also came back the next day to support our local businesses I’m sure it was much appreciated. Being a local and Knowing all the business owners definitely has a great advantage. Thanks again be well and hope to see you in the future.
Best Bobby Agrippino
Written September 1, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mark R
Fredericton, Canada4 contributions
Aug 2022
We were visiting Boston as a family for the first time (with our 18 and 16 yr olds) and as lovers of food were wanting to find a food tour of the North End. We struck gold.
Bobby's North End Boston Food Tour was three hours of fascinating stories about growing up in the North End of Boston combined with delicious food from the locals.
It was a hot morning in Boston (86 degrees +) so when Bobby showed up with a cool bottle of water for everyone we knew he was going to have thought of everything.
Bobby made a guarantee that if anyone went away from the tour hungry they would receive their money back. He was in no danger of that happening. From delicious pizza to sandwiches, pastries, cheese, olive oil and balsamic the food kept on coming. Because of the heat Bobby had also arranged for us to eat our sandwich in a local establishment - which was very welcome.
I lost count of the number of people who knew Bobby and stopped to say hello - each one with a story or a joke.
It was a privilege to spend 3 hours in his company and I would recommend this food tour to anyone as a completely authentic and enjoyable experience.
Bobby's North End Boston Food Tour was three hours of fascinating stories about growing up in the North End of Boston combined with delicious food from the locals.
It was a hot morning in Boston (86 degrees +) so when Bobby showed up with a cool bottle of water for everyone we knew he was going to have thought of everything.
Bobby made a guarantee that if anyone went away from the tour hungry they would receive their money back. He was in no danger of that happening. From delicious pizza to sandwiches, pastries, cheese, olive oil and balsamic the food kept on coming. Because of the heat Bobby had also arranged for us to eat our sandwich in a local establishment - which was very welcome.
I lost count of the number of people who knew Bobby and stopped to say hello - each one with a story or a joke.
It was a privilege to spend 3 hours in his company and I would recommend this food tour to anyone as a completely authentic and enjoyable experience.
Written August 29, 2022
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.
Thank you for the the great review I’m happy your family enjoyed all the culture personal stories and the delicious Italian foods. I’m a lifelong resident and still living here knowing all the shopkeepers has its advantages be well and hope to see you in the future
Best regards
Bobby Agrippino
Written August 30, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mspamelablythe
Simi Valley, CA11 contributions
Oct 2021
This food tour was, without a doubt, the best food tour we’ve been on. We do a food tour in pretty much every city we visit, it is usually the third thing we plan, after flights and whatever reason we’re heading to the destination.
Not only did we have great food, and seriously good portions of food, but the experience of walking through these neighborhoods with one of its long time residents can’t be matched in any other tour. If you read through more of the reviews, you’ll hear a common observation, and that is that Bobby knows everyone, and everyone knows Bobby. We really felt like we were touring with North End Royalty. We all felt so special. This tour is more than just great food, the stories about the area and what it was like to grow up there really were heartwarming. Like I said, this was special.
This tour was a great value, it seriously should be higher priced just for the amount of food you’ll enjoy. To top it all off, Bobby gave us recommendations for dinner that night, and when we arrived without reservations, we told them he sent us and they squeezed us in. Bonus!
There are larger tour companies out there that you might be familiar with, they don’t hold a candle to this experience.
Not only did we have great food, and seriously good portions of food, but the experience of walking through these neighborhoods with one of its long time residents can’t be matched in any other tour. If you read through more of the reviews, you’ll hear a common observation, and that is that Bobby knows everyone, and everyone knows Bobby. We really felt like we were touring with North End Royalty. We all felt so special. This tour is more than just great food, the stories about the area and what it was like to grow up there really were heartwarming. Like I said, this was special.
This tour was a great value, it seriously should be higher priced just for the amount of food you’ll enjoy. To top it all off, Bobby gave us recommendations for dinner that night, and when we arrived without reservations, we told them he sent us and they squeezed us in. Bonus!
There are larger tour companies out there that you might be familiar with, they don’t hold a candle to this experience.
Written October 12, 2021
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.
Pamela thank you for this great review. There are many tours in the North End (Little Italy) but I have a passion for the place I grew up and still live that is why my tour is second to none and all the delicious food we eat is just a bonus. Let’s talk about the peasant food that is served on my tour it is the true connection to this wonderful neighborhood (pizza Italian sandwich cannoli arancini and sfogliatella are all truly Italian). There is no other tour as authentic as this. I’m very happy the you enjoyed your experience and hope to see again in the future be well
Best
Bobby Agrippino
Written October 12, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Joshua
1 contribution
Feb 2020 • Couples
We had a great time with Bobby in the North end. Bobby has a passion for his community and it shows. He was able to make us feel like a friend and a local as the community greeted us walking through the streets. From the connections he's been able to make in his hometown as well as the connections in the businesses we visited it was overall a great time. Each place we went with there long lines he brought us right up to the front; no waiting no concerns no hastle. This is a great way to get to know some of the best locations in town and to learn about the city along the way from someone who's family has been there for generation. I would recommend this business to anyone.
Written February 16, 2020
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.
Thank you Mikayla and Joshua for this great review. I’m happy you enjoyed the tour and being a lifelong resident does have privileges of going to the front of the line. I love the place I grew up and still live so it’s a pleasure sharing this special place with the world. It was great meeting you and hope to see you in the future.
Best
Bobby Agrippino
Written February 16, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Adam H
1 contribution
Jun 2021 • Family
If you like food and history with a local flair this is definitely the tour for you!! Bobby was fantastic with our kids (11 & 15). We ate well and spaced out visits to local places with interesting stories along the way. The afternoon of the tour, we decided to go to a cafe recommended by Bobby and had the absolute best time watching the Italy soccer match with the locals, and then had dinner at a wonderful restaurant also recommended by Bobby. I would recommend doing this tour early in your stay in Boston to feel like a local and know all the great spots to visit on the rest of your trip. Thanks for your hospitality, Bobby!
Written June 13, 2021
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.
Thank you for the review Adam the teenagers identify with my personal stories growing up in this great neighborhood and being a lifelong resident has its advantages all the delicious food is the bonus be well and hope to see you in the future
Best Bobby Agrippino
Written June 13, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MKali
Charlotte, NC18 contributions
May 2021
GREAT walking tour of the North End of Boston. We loved how we got to step back in time with stories told by Bobby accompanied by Italian food we all have come to love. Bobby was great at telling the stories of his neighborhood as he has seen it changed. Bobby will share how the North End neighborhood has evolved and learn the stories of the small businesses that have come and gone and many other great aspects of this part of Boston. Boston is an amazing city to visit and this tour is just AMAZING for anyone who loves Italian food. You will not leave hungry so come with an appetite and go back to eat dinner at one of the many ristorantes recommended. Highly recommend, if you like to learn about the Italian culture and a full belly this tour is for you!
Written May 19, 2021
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.
Kalina and George thank you for this great review painting a picture of the past growing up here is such a pleasure it was a great place to grow up and all the food I grew up on is a bonus to this wonderful experience. It was great meeting you enjoy the rest of you vacation and hope to see you in the future be well
Best Bobby Agrippino
Written May 19, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lovevtlife
4 contributions
Jun 2021 • Friends
Bobby was the consummate guide! Not only is he a Native Son of the north end, but he is passionate about its food, culture and history. He is generous with his stories and with the food! He has a wonderful anecdotes about the area and gives a very personal experience of growing up there. Walking down the street with him, you will also feel like a native son or daughter. You will feel embraced by everyone who walks by who knows him! He is a lovely person and his enthusiasm is infectious. I cannot recommend this to her more highly. Even if you are familiar with the north end, this is a delightful way to spend a few hours with Bobby.
Written June 14, 2021
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.
Thank you Jessica for this great review I’m happy you enjoyed the experience and it’s wonderful to know you felt like a native be well and hope to see you in the future
Best Bobby
Written June 14, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Eleanor B
1 contribution
Feb 2020
Robert’s tour was wonderful. We loved every minute of it. Bobby is warm, energetic, and articulate. Easy to listen to and ask questions of. Overall, a terrific and memorable food tour.
So much more than just food, although the food was delicious and ample! We walked a lot, saw a lot—history, architecture, stories of the lives of the people who live in the North End. Robert is not only a native, born and bred, but still lives there. He is extraordinarily knowledgeable about North End history, not only history during his lifetime, but also the history going back to the 19th century when Italian immigrants began arriving, and the 18th century before that. Even though I once lived in Boston, there was so much I did not know.
It seems Bobby knows everyone in the neighborhood. So we were introduced to many people along the way—even on a rainy and cold February day, people were out on the charming streets and alleys. He once worked in the restaurant industry and showed us all the best salumerias, panetterias, and pizzerias to buy food to take home—and places to enjoy an elegant dinner or snack. He treated us to a great Italian sandwich, a slice of pizza, a cannoli, some locally roasted coffee beans to take home, and a tasting of rare olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The food stops change from tour to tour, but there are so many great places, you can’t lose.
Eleanor B and Michael T
So much more than just food, although the food was delicious and ample! We walked a lot, saw a lot—history, architecture, stories of the lives of the people who live in the North End. Robert is not only a native, born and bred, but still lives there. He is extraordinarily knowledgeable about North End history, not only history during his lifetime, but also the history going back to the 19th century when Italian immigrants began arriving, and the 18th century before that. Even though I once lived in Boston, there was so much I did not know.
It seems Bobby knows everyone in the neighborhood. So we were introduced to many people along the way—even on a rainy and cold February day, people were out on the charming streets and alleys. He once worked in the restaurant industry and showed us all the best salumerias, panetterias, and pizzerias to buy food to take home—and places to enjoy an elegant dinner or snack. He treated us to a great Italian sandwich, a slice of pizza, a cannoli, some locally roasted coffee beans to take home, and a tasting of rare olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The food stops change from tour to tour, but there are so many great places, you can’t lose.
Eleanor B and Michael T
Written February 13, 2020
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.
It was a pleasure to meeting you Eleanor and Michael and thank you for the awesome review. It has its advantages being a lifelong resident of this great neighborhood. Hope to see you in the future.
Best
Bobby Agrippino
Written February 16, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
travelandeateateat
San Francisco, CA18 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
We had a great experience on Bobby’s tour of the North End and would highly recommend it. He took us to many neighborhood gems that I wanted to try and some that we might have walked right by, not even knowing that there was greatness down the alley.
Bobby is a genuine guy, proud of his home, and has a good relationship with the neighborhood business owners, which makes his tour more valuable than others. The establishments we visited are prepared for Bobby’s arrival, so they have fresh food ready for you right after you arrive. If you were to try to visit this many places and order off of menus and wait in lines, it would take several days to experience what we did in three gluttonous hours, but at the same time, we never felt rushed. If you think you want to try a cannoli at Mike’s, Bobby walks you past the line wrapping around the street corner, escorts you into the store and brings the cannolis to you. This alone makes his tour worth taking, but there was so much more delicious food he shared with us and information given about the history of the neighborhood that created a memorable experience. The days following his tour, we found ourselves coming back to the North End to enjoy the places Bobby took us or had recommended and we were able to enjoy more great food and felt comfortable navigating the area.
What I enjoyed most about Bobby was that he has a kind heart and shines a light on his home, which you can tell he loves. Our tour included repeat guests, Boston locals, tourists and teenage / tween children and it was appropriate for all ages and Bobby was welcoming to everyone. Thank you, Bobby, for a great afternoon!
Bobby is a genuine guy, proud of his home, and has a good relationship with the neighborhood business owners, which makes his tour more valuable than others. The establishments we visited are prepared for Bobby’s arrival, so they have fresh food ready for you right after you arrive. If you were to try to visit this many places and order off of menus and wait in lines, it would take several days to experience what we did in three gluttonous hours, but at the same time, we never felt rushed. If you think you want to try a cannoli at Mike’s, Bobby walks you past the line wrapping around the street corner, escorts you into the store and brings the cannolis to you. This alone makes his tour worth taking, but there was so much more delicious food he shared with us and information given about the history of the neighborhood that created a memorable experience. The days following his tour, we found ourselves coming back to the North End to enjoy the places Bobby took us or had recommended and we were able to enjoy more great food and felt comfortable navigating the area.
What I enjoyed most about Bobby was that he has a kind heart and shines a light on his home, which you can tell he loves. Our tour included repeat guests, Boston locals, tourists and teenage / tween children and it was appropriate for all ages and Bobby was welcoming to everyone. Thank you, Bobby, for a great afternoon!
Written April 6, 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.
Amy thank you for the review of the North End Boston Food Tour. I’m happy that you enjoyed the tour and also experienced the passion I have for this unique neighborhood that only a lifelong resident could have it was great meeting you all and hope to see you in the future
Best regards
Bobby Agrippino
Written April 6, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
stephrawson
Mason, MI6 contributions
May 2021
Just arrived home from a weekend in Boston with a friend and have not stopped telling friends and family that the highlight of my visit was the North End Boston Food Tour! I felt like I was in Rome with the scents wafting from the many restaurants and bakeries. But it was Bobby Agrippino who brought the whole experience to life.
Bobby, born and raised in the North end, shared stories of his personal experiences and friendships with the proprietors of this neighborhood known as Little Italy by the locals. He knows the family owned grocers and bakers and how they have survived in spite of the mass exodus to the larger grocery chains. We were able to sample some of the finest Italian breads, cheeses, and salumis from authentic Italian delis, feast on handmade cannolli filled with ricotta in the Italian way and savor many more delights along the path of Bobby's childhood.
Woven into this tour were pieces of our American heritage like the Revere house and the Old North Church which this Italian neighborhood is very proud of. We were introduced to many many restaurants that have been here for 50 or 60 years and how they have been passed down to generations beneath them. Bobby knows it all and the neighborhood knows Bobby! The number of residents who passed us on the street and shouted out a "Hey" to him, well I can't even count how often that happened.
Come hungry, come with anticipation and go home with full bellies and your senses stimulated.
Ti Saluto Bobby!
Bobby, born and raised in the North end, shared stories of his personal experiences and friendships with the proprietors of this neighborhood known as Little Italy by the locals. He knows the family owned grocers and bakers and how they have survived in spite of the mass exodus to the larger grocery chains. We were able to sample some of the finest Italian breads, cheeses, and salumis from authentic Italian delis, feast on handmade cannolli filled with ricotta in the Italian way and savor many more delights along the path of Bobby's childhood.
Woven into this tour were pieces of our American heritage like the Revere house and the Old North Church which this Italian neighborhood is very proud of. We were introduced to many many restaurants that have been here for 50 or 60 years and how they have been passed down to generations beneath them. Bobby knows it all and the neighborhood knows Bobby! The number of residents who passed us on the street and shouted out a "Hey" to him, well I can't even count how often that happened.
Come hungry, come with anticipation and go home with full bellies and your senses stimulated.
Ti Saluto Bobby!
Written May 3, 2021
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.
Wow! Stephanie thank you thank you for this great review what can I say you explained it all. I take great pride showing off this beautiful neighborhood I grew up in and still live. It was great meeting you and hope to see you in the future. Stay well
Thank You
Bobby Agrippino
Written May 3, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sharla D
Prattville, Alabama
How do we book this food tour? Can we book through TripAdvisor?
Written February 26, 2024
Will you pick up and drop off at my hotel? Hilton Boston Back Bay
Written January 7, 2023
Hello Susan
Thank you for your interest in the North End Boston Food Tour. We meet at the the corner of Hanover Street and Cross Street at the Tony DeMarco Statue. This location is the gateway of the North End.
Thank you
Bobby Agrippino
Written January 10, 2023
Hello how long is the approximate tour? Just trying to map out all we’re doing in 5 days :)
Written November 15, 2022
Hello
Thank you for interest in the North End Boston Food Tour. The tour is approximately 2 to 3 hours.
Thank you
Bobby Agrippino
Written November 15, 2022
would this work for my family of 5 (12, 14, and 15 year old and my husband)?
Written May 23, 2019
Absolutely kid friendly tour lots of Fun Food Culture and personal stories
Written May 23, 2019
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