North End Food Tour Boston: 5 Italian tastings with history

The oldest Italian cafe in Boston sits on the same block as a 24/7 bakery that opened in 1926.

A guided food tour through Boston's North End neighborhood with tastings at five locations: clams casino from a 50-year-old waterfront restaurant, an Italian sub from an acclaimed sandwich shop, meatballs from a salumeria, Florentine cannoli from a historic bakery, and tiramisu from the city's oldest Italian cafe. The tour includes time in North Square learning about Paul Revere House history and the Paul Revere Mall, plus a post-tour email of the guide's favorite local spots. Two to three hours, live guide in English.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore North End history and food

• Discuss Paul Revere House history
• Eat and relax at Paul Revere Mall
• Visit Paul Revere Statue and learn history

The experience

You'll taste your way through the North End's Italian heritage at five stops, each one a working neighborhood institution rather than a tourist setup. The clams casino comes from a family-run waterfront restaurant over 50 years old; the Italian sub from one of Boston's most acclaimed sandwich shops; meatballs from a salumeria tucked into an alley off Hanover Street; Florentine cannoli from the 24/7 bakery that's been a North End fixture since 1926; and tiramisu from the oldest Italian cafe in the city. A live guide in English walks the group through each tasting and ties the food to the neighborhood's multi-generational Italian-American story.

The tour builds around the neighborhood itself as much as the food. You'll spend time in North Square hearing about the Paul Revere House and other local history, then move through the Paul Revere Mall and past the Paul Revere Statue, where the guide covers more of Boston's past. The route stays walkable and the pace lets you linger at each spot without rushing between them.

After the tour ends, you get a post-tour email from the guide listing favorite places to visit, activities to enjoy, and hundreds of local food and drink options across the Boston area: a way to keep exploring once the group disperses.

What’s included

• Tastings at five locations including clams casino, Italian sub, meatballs, Florentine cannoli, and tiramisu.
• guided walk through North Square and Paul Revere Mall with neighborhood history.
• live guide in English.
• post-tour email with the guide's favorite Boston-area food and drink recommendations.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:30, 15:00 and 18:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Up and Adam Food Tours

Is this one for you?You'll visit five tasting stops on a set route through tight neighborhood streets, so book this if you prefer a guided path through the North End's Italian-American food culture rather than choosing your own stops.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly do I taste at each of the five stops on the North End Food Tour?

The five tastings are clams casino from a 50-year-old family-run waterfront restaurant; an Italian sub from one of Boston's most acclaimed sandwich shops; meatballs from a salumeria off Hanover Street; Florentine cannoli from a bakery that opened in 1926; and tiramisu from Boston's oldest Italian cafe.

How long does the North End Food Tour take?

The tour runs two to three hours, including time at each tasting location and stops in North Square and the Paul Revere Mall to learn neighborhood history.

Will the guide talk about the history of the North End, or is it only about food?

The guide covers both. You'll learn about the Paul Revere House and other neighborhood history while in North Square, and the guide ties the food at each stop to the North End's Italian-American heritage and its role in Boston's growth.

Is the North End Food Tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options in the neighborhood are wheelchair accessible as well. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.

What do I get after the tour ends?

You receive a post-tour email from the guide highlighting favorite places to visit, activities to enjoy, and hundreds of local food and drink options throughout the Boston area.