Limoncello Ristorante

We were recommended this place by our hotel concierge, and we were not disappointed. The food was delicious and the service was top notch. We got the Lobster Ravioli and the Fettuccine al Forno with Squid ink Pasta. The lobster chunks were fresh and the sauces paired were excellent. Going back for sure!

Had a perfect dinner experience. This was our second visit and Susan was our waitress both visits. She was terrific and a lot of fun. Great service — never had to ask for anything. For starters we had the mozzerella special and an antipasta.
For dinner I had the fusilli and a side of meatballs. Wow was it good! The fusilli is not what you would expect as a traditional looking fusilli. It was definitely homemade and fresh. Meatballs were melt in your mouth.
For desert — went with tiramisu which I demolished in about 10 seconds.
Cozy little restaurant that will be on our regular annual visit list.

Fantastic! This restaurant reminds me of my dinners in Italy. Comfort food yumminess. Each course was serviced with that perfect amount of spacing. This will definitely be my go to place.

The food was fantastic, service was ok but lacking at times. The tables are very close together but I guess that’s life in the city
Because the food was so good we will be back when in the area

Came for a late lunch on Sunday, but they only offer the dinner menu on Sunday’s. I wanted to try the house special (Rosette pasta), which was $ 27 for dinner but so worth it. It was delicious, and the truffle tomato sauce just melts in your mouth. I forgot what entrée my boyfriend ordered, but we also got the buffalo burrata appetizer, which was amazing and extremely flavorful. Veggies were fresh, and the mozzarella was divine. So good! We also ate a bunch of the bread with olive oil as a starter. Highly recommend the Rosette dish. Next time I’ll have to try the octopus carpaccio. We had a great experience at Limoncello.

A very good Italian Restaurant in the «North End» of Boston — famous for Italian food and pastries,
It has an interesting history. The founder was a Waiter for years in another Italian Restaurant in the North End, and used to say to himself, how poorly run that other restaurant was. He used to fantasize about owning his own restaurant, but knew he could never afford to do so on his meager pay.
Then one day in the 1990’s, after playing the lottery (as he always did) — he won a million dollars on the lottery and took the money, bought a different restaurant, totally redecorated it in Venetian style, and has run it ever since.

I cannot believe this place has such good reviews. Maybe the food is exceptional, but I couldn’t get over the poor service I was receiving enough to stick around. I’m not usually one to be picky about service, but this place was awful. My boyfriend and I went here for our one year anniversary, limoncello is kind of an inside joke between the two of us so we were looking forward to a nice date at a «romantic spot». This place is FAR from that. It’s cramped and loud. You will be sitting right next to others… like pretty much at the same table as them, unless you are a large group. It’s so tight in there I felt like I was going to get hit by a waiter walking by.
Our service: I BARELY had a chance to sit down before the waiter was badgering us for a drink order. They only serve beer and wine. I felt bullied into ordering a random Chianti. I then went to the restroom (not an easy feat in a small place like this). Literally the second I sat back down, the waiter was asking us for our food orders and I hadn’t even opened my menu. I told him I needed a minute and he stood behind my boyfriend and literally WATCHED me as I looked at the menu. At that point, we were annoyed. We couldn’t even talk to each other, between the noise and the fact that we couldn’t have a private conversation because we were sitting practically on top of the table next to us.
We ended up ordering an appetizer, which was fine, and got the hell out of there. Maybe this place has exceptional food, but I can’t imagine paying those prices for such poor service and that awful ambiance. It claims to be a romantic, fine dining establishment, but that’s a joke.
Go across the street to Ricardo’s (what we did) exceptional food; quiet, calm romantic ambiance; and great service there!

My friends and I wandered around the North End and decided to not Unilocal where we should eat (I know blasphemous). As we walked by Limoncello, another friend and I yelled, «Oh Limoncello!» Although we did not Unilocal to find this place, we had Unilocaled before coming to Boston places to eat and this place had already come up.
We walk in to a crowded restaurant, worried that the wait would be upwards of an hour. However, they had a table and we were quickly seated. Delicious bread and yummy olives came shortly after.
The food was divine!
Appetizers and Wine
Buffalo Burrata: This was a special of the night. The cheese was imported from Italy (not that I could tell). It was a delightful and creamy ball of joy. It came with arugla, tomatoes, and cucumber. The tomatoes were so sweet and juicy.
Octopus Carpaccio: This was also a special of the night. It was beautifully seasoned and tender like it was beaten to a polpo (haha get it?). There was a very generous portion.
Wine: We went with the house Sangiovese which was delicious for the price.
Entrees
Linguine Frutti Di Mare: Absolutely perfect. Sauce was balanced, tons of shrimp, mussels, and clams. Pasta cooked just right.
Fettucine Al Nero Di Seppa Con Astice: Ugh. This was my favorite. First of all, it comes with a very very generous amount of Maine Lobster. The tomato cream sauce was perfect and the black squid ink pasta brought out the saltiness of the lobster. Winner winner pasta dinner.
Fusilli Con Ragu All’Albruzzese: Great red sauce pasta with lamb, veal, and red peppers. Very meat and delicious.
Risotto Del Giorno: I don’t know which one we got but it was what you’d want a risotta to taste like. I, however, don’t like risotto that much.
Dessert
None. Because we were too full.
Overall the experience was great – the waiters are super kind and fun. The food is magical and that is all I could ever ask for. What a gem!

Reached late but still were able to get the seats sooner. This place is so cool because it gives a feeling of a neighborhood restaurant. The staff is so friendly and the food was great.
I had wild mushroom shrimp and little neck clams which were really well prepared.
Being an Indian I thought their appetizers with chick peas was awesome (The Spicy zing)

So disappointed. Please think twice before going here. As a single diner, it’s difficult to experience popular restaurants without bar seating (I feel conspicuous taking up a table for two). So I was thrilled to be in the area during lunch to finally try Limoncello. Had the place to myself! Except the food was sloppy plated, flavour mediocre — especially their signature dish — and the service was terrible. She never once asked about my satisfaction. Instead she focused on polishing tableware and windows. I’ll give it another shot hoping this was a one-​off.

my new favorite north end spot! I went once a couple of years ago and have re introduced myself and have now been several times… IT IS AWESOME
The meatballs were out of this world amazing… they melt in your mouth, the rosette pasta with the truffle tomato cream sauce is an absolute MUST… best pasta I have ever had
Great list of house wines at under $ 40 dollars… great value
The service is excellent, a real deal traditional well run restaurant. The way it should be done.
Desserts are great, save room for it! Well worth the walk off Hanover.

The pasta was made in house. Our server was from Italy. The herbs were grown in the window. Everyone was having wine with lunch.

Limoncello is your typical good mom & pops restaurant. If you want good, simple, traditional Italian cuisine this is your place to go to. I would say is the best place for a family, a group of friends, or a very casual dinner date. It’s very loud in here; you will find large parties and servers walking everywhere. Very casual clothing will be more than enough. And please don’t make the mistake to take someone on a first date here; for sure this place is not for that kind of events.

Very tasty meal — good atmosphere– two buildings down from Paul reveres house.
Had the house special stuffed pork chop-​very good
Appetizer was good of antipasto.
Small portions but what do you expect in a fine restaurant

Love this spot — great restaurant that’s been open for a while and I can see why. Our waitress, Sandra, was fantastic and very attentive. Food was outstanding & authentic Italian dishes. You feel like you’re in Italy with the décor, wine & food.
Would definitely recommend to anyone — great for a family outing, not too loud but also great for a romantic date night.

Pasta was worth the visit… homemade and amazing! Tried the Rosette al Montasio with homemade noodles rolled with lots of cheese and prosciutto and a creamy tomato sauce. It’s one of their signature dishes and now I know why. Also had a caesar salad which was a bit disappointing. Dressing was good but croutons seemed store bought and wish it had shaved Parmesan. Service was pretty good but since I was dining alone I was put back at the bar which is a bit funky and busy. I would not recommend sitting there but service and food made it worth it.

Came here Monday night for a date. This place is not in the two main streets in north end but still around 7,8pm, it’s pretty crowded. Ambiance is nice and they have violinist play music while we eat which is kinda romantic.
But the food was disappointing. I picked this place based on the good Unilocal reviews but the food was not much below my expectation. I ordered the chicken breast with mushroom Marsala and my date got the fusilli. Fusilli was good but my dish was way too sweet and they put too much Marsala wine.
Food portion is not big, no leftovers and it was pricy.

We came from Saratoga NY & our hotel recommended Limoncello in North Boston. We loved it! Soooo good
I had the Lasagna — the best ever and my husband had Fritti di Mare it was so Good
Everything was above our expectations!
LuLu waited on us — she made it a perfect experience
We will be back!

After an arduous day of trekking about Boston’s Freedom Trail, our party of 6 was ready for a hearty meal in the North End. Limoncello accepted us close to 6PM without a reservation and we were quickly seated. A generous basket of delicious warm fresh bread soon was delivered to our table. The wine list has many reasonably priced bottles available. Everyone’s entrée was delicious and met our expectations. I had the lobster ravioli. It was well stuffed with tender lobster meat and was delicious. The service was absolutely great. No water glass remained unfilled for long. The restaurant uses a team waiting concept. All servers were friendly and courteous. There are many restaurants available in this Italian neighborhood, but I would dine at this one again.

First, full disclosure, I was dining alone this night hoping for high-​end Italian in Boston’s North End. My destination was Mamma Maria (#1 on Unilocal) and even though I arrived early (5:30) they only have four seats at the bar and all of them were already taken. So, I headed over to Ristorante Limoncello (#3) as it is very close by.
I’m glad I did…
After being ushered to the «bar» by the very friendly host who greeted me the door, the first thing I noticed was that most of the patrons were conversing with the staff ***IN ITALIAN.*** I took that for a good sign. I call it a «bar» because it’s not what one typically expects to find in a restaurant. It was at the back of the dining room with about 8 – 10 comfortable bar seats facing a big screen TV *BUT* the area behind the bar is used for storage and there’s no bartender at this bar. Instead, I was served by one of the waitresses who brought the food and drinks to my seat throughout my visit. The setting was a little off-​putting at first and I almost left to find a more traditional bar setting elsewhere. But by now it was getting into the dining out rush hour when lines are often out the door in the North End. I decided to stay put.
As I was being seated I was immediately served water, a plate of olives in EVOO, and fresh bread. After hearing the specials and perusing the menu I started by ordering a bottle of the house Chianti and one of the nightly special appetizers; a Burrata Mozzarella salad that was amazing (why can’t I find tomatoes like that off-​season?). For my main course I had a the Ravioli Alla’Astice con Salsa Vellutata (Lobster Ravioli with a fresh Crabmeat Sherry Cream Sauce). It was delicious. Not surprisingly, when I was done eating I was served a complimentary chilled glass of house made limoncello. The entire meal, including the wine, was about $ 80.00.
My waitress was extremely attentive and friendly throughout my visit, and from my seat I noted similarly friendly and attentive staff serving the nearby patrons.
If you’re planning to eat at a table in the dining room I’d highly recommend Ristorante Limoncello. If you’re looking for a seat at the bar you may want to choose another destination, but if you can tolerate the funky bar setting I described about to get a great Italian Dinner, go for it.