Our family of 5 went and had a great meal. We started with the lobster ravioli appetizer and really enjoyed that! Then we had the carbonara (one with gluten free gnocchi), clams linguine, chicken parm, and chicken Alfredo. They did a great job with the gluten free meal- absolutely would get again. I could have shared- as it was too much! Everyone loved their dishes. We would certainly come back. Favorite meal of our trip. Service was very good. Our server checked on us regularly and food was brought out steaming hot! The place is small and narrow, but quaint, like most in that section of town. We had a nice cozy seat across from the brick pizza oven.
very busy & we were walk ins so I do recommend making reservations understandably our wait was a little long but were able to go to the bar for cocktails as we waited. but the Manhatten was delicious & food was Fantastic. Highly recommend the Linguine Con Vongole. party was also very happy with the gluten free options / Modifications
Great food with gluten free pasta able to be subbed for almost any dish (except ravioli). Carbonara was creamy but still light and partners cacio e pepe was good.
I have a very thoughtful partner who put a lot of time into looking for a nice Italian restaurant in the North End for date night with the understanding that I will be looking for gluten-free options.
I don't get very many one-star reviews. I'm not entirely sure who is at fault for my experience it could be someone who works in the kitchen it could be the server...
I told them that I couldn't eat gluten due to an allergy. I was served a huge pile of wheat pasta. Do better, I guess. Mistakes happen. I do have a larger problem with the way it was handled after it was discovered to be a problem.
I identified the error before putting food in my mouth and sent it back to the kitchen.
When the food returned, it was literally the same dish and cut of meat but the pasta had been swapped out. It was evident that Lucia Ristorante did not value my safety.
Aside from that, the gluten-free pile of pasta that I received had been cooked hours before and was lukewarm and gummy. Reader, I understand that gluten-free pasta is not the main focus of North End dining but this was the most vile gluten-free pasta I have ever experienced. As you can imagine that's kind of saying a lot.
If that was all that happened I might actually give them another chance and just be really clear next time and provide boundaries up front about what is acceptable for a replacement.... except that the actual dish that I got was such salty dry Bland chicken. I have to say that the fried artichoke was really good. But a few fried artichokes on a dish full of vile pasta kind of eroded my trust to the point where I don't think it's worth trying again.
We eat here two days for breakfast. Lovely food and great atmosphere..my son is Gluten free and had a good choice in food..thank you. and all your staff ..
Very friendly service. Great food. Accommodating for dietary restrictions including being careful with a gluten free member of our party. Reservations highly recommended.
We had a good dinner, my husband ordered cacio de pepe, which was prepared tableside -- very cool! Our waiter was great, very helpful, and there were plenty of busboys, etc to take care of us as well. One of our party is gluten-free, and all their pasta can be prepared gluten-free, so that was a treat.
Awesome gluten free lobster rolls! They had two options: hot buttered, or cold mayo based lobster salad. Delicious generous hearty chunks of lobster. Not cheap, I believe $30 per roll but worth it.
The establishment is cozy and no frills with limited diner/bar type seating. It feels like authentic Boston. There are photos on the wall of all the famous people that have enjoyed this restaurant.
Kid friendly, my 5 year old nephews loved the grilled cheese and crunchy fries.
Chef Rich was incredible! He caters to every one whether you’re gluten free or vegan etc and that’s exceptional service!
Btw he is charming, debonair and single ready to mingle
Wait can be long but we arrived around noon on a weekday and only waited 5 mins. At 3pm the day before, the wait would have been about 2 hours. Restaurant is very tiny. Everyone is very friendly and service was great. Now... on to the food! The chowder was delicious with tons of flavor; the broth wasn't too thick, more like a stew. Hot lobster roll was excellent, loaded with meat and fries were very good. My girlfriend who has Celiac really appreciated the option of the hot lobster roll with a generously portioned arugula salad instead of fries which were not gluten free. She raved about the anchovy lemon vinaigrette! I will never let my girlfriend forget her $16.50 blood orange Bellini which she very much enjoyed. Neptune Oyster is a definite must in Boston!
Due to Boston Marathon and 2 out of the 3 in our party being gluten intolerant, server and kitchen was extremely accommodating to adjustments in meal order. Thanks so much!
Amazing experience at Bricco. Our server Manuel M. was so accommodating and informative. This place is great for gluten free dining - I had the gluten free gnocchi and it was the best I've had! And I went when it was super busy on Valentine's day, the ultimate test.
Monica’s Trattoria in Boston’s North End offers an inviting, bustling atmosphere that perfectly captures the essence of traditional Italian dining with a modern twist. From the moment you step in, you’re greeted by an open-concept kitchen where chefs work with visible passion behind exposed brick walls and softly lit, candlelit tables—a setting that blends old-world charm with a contemporary vibe.
For dinner, our experience began with a creative duo of cocktails—a classic Cosmopolitan paired with a Sparkling Strawberry Margarita for $16. The margarita, featuring Zarpado blanco tequila, Grand Marnier, strawberry purée, and fresh lime juice crowned with a prosecco float, was both refreshing and inventive. However, our reservation for 7:00 PM did little to expedite the pace; it took about 20 minutes for our drinks to arrive.
We then sampled the Piatto di Prosciutto, a gluten-free appetizer priced at $10, which showcased 25-month-aged Prosciutto di Parma sliced paper-thin and served with a medley of mixed olives. The simplicity and quality of the ingredients spoke volumes about the kitchen’s commitment to authenticity.
For our entrees, we opted for two standout dishes. The Vitello del Capo at $39 featured a succulent veal chop served over a bed of homemade gnocchi, complemented by a rich marsala wine sauce with shiitake and cremini mushrooms, along with speck that added a smoky depth to the dish. Meanwhile, the Spaghetti alla Carbonara for $32 brought together homemade spaghetti with Italian pancetta (a nod to the traditional cooked ham), egg, and Romano cheese, creating a comforting yet refined plate that satisfied every craving.
While the food was exceptional, the service—though friendly—left room for improvement. After our drinks, we waited another 20 minutes for our appetizer, and the entrees were delayed by an additional 20 minutes. In a venue as lively and open as Monica’s, where every detail seems carefully curated, the sporadic service timing was the one misstep in an otherwise delightful evening.
In summary, Monica’s Trattoria delivers a memorable dining experience that balances excellent, authentic Italian cuisine with a vibrant, open-kitchen atmosphere. If you’re prepared for a slightly unhurried pace on busy nights, it’s a must-visit spot for anyone looking to enjoy a taste of the North End’s culinary tradition.
delicious lunch of branzino and penne arrabiata. they were very accommodating, they had gluten free penne which they could do with any of the sauces. flavorful and good portions! great service too
Accommodating Gluten-Free
