$$$$
ItalianNorth End
Damien DiPaola named Carmelina's after his mother and runs it on Hanover Street as a regional Italian kitchen in Boston since 2012. Located in North End.
OrderThe carbonara pasta with smoked pancetta and pecorino.
TipReservations open four weeks ahead on OpenTable. The bar is the easier walk-in seat at 17:30 weekdays.
$$$$
PizzeriaNorth End
Regina Pizzeria on Thacher Street has fired thin-crust pies in Boston's North End since 1926. The original location is the one that matters, brick oven.
OrderThe Margherita pie, blistered crust, just-melted mozzarella.
TipWalk-ins only at the North End original. Lunch at 11:00 is the easy seat; dinner waits run 60 minutes weekends.
$$$$
SeafoodBack Bay
Kathy Sidell's Back Bay seafood room on Dartmouth Street has run the tinned-fish-and-crudo agenda in Boston since 2016. At 279 Dartmouth St.
OrderTinned fish board with anchovies, mussels, sardines and butter on toast.
TipThe window counter is the easier walk-in seat at 17:30. Brunch books two weeks out on weekends.
$$$$
GreekBack Bay
Demetri Tsolakis's Krasi on Gloucester Street has poured the country's largest all-Greek wine list in Boston's Back Bay since 2020. Priced at $$$.
OrderThe taramosalata with house pita and a glass of Assyrtiko.
TipReservations open four weeks out on OpenTable. The bar serves the full menu for solo diners.
$$$$
SpanishSouth End
Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette's Spanish tapas room on Washington Street has run the South End's small-plate template in Boston since 2005.
OrderGrilled corn with aioli, lime and queso fresco.
TipWalk-in only for dinner. Get to the bar at 17:00 to skip the 90-minute wait that builds by 19:00.
$$$$
ItalianSouth End
Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette's Italian enoteca on Shawmut Avenue runs house-made charcuterie and Roman pastas in Boston's South End since 2009.
OrderThe charcuterie board, all five cuts, with the bagna cauda.
TipThe marble counter is the better solo seat. Walk in at 17:00 for the easy table.