After a thorough walk through the American Revolution along Boston’s Freedom Trail, it’s time for a snack. Boston’s North End offers narrow streets that lead to a hidden world of Old World shops with authentic Italian delights. Read on to plan your own DIY Boston Foodie Tour.
9 Places to Explore on a Boston Foodie Tour
- Polcari’s Coffee
- Maria’s Pastry
- Alba Produce
- Bricco Paneterria
- Bricco Salumeria
- V. Cirace & Son
- Boston Public Market
- HayMarket
- Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Polcari’s Coffee
105 Salem Street
With over 35 varieties of roasted coffee beans, it’s the place to discover your next coffee obsession. I found varieties from Hawaii to Jamaica or buy green, unroasted coffee beans to roast and grind at home.
Find a huge selection of dried spices and herbs for the culinarian. I also found hard-to-find dried mushrooms.
Note: Polcari’s Coffee doesn’t serve coffee.
Open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on Sunday.
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Maria’s Pastry
46 Cross Street
Some of the best cannoli ever, piped fresh before your eyes. And tiramisu is like every Italian Grandmother used to make. Plus all the seasonal pastries and treats that Italians love, like amaretti and Florentines along with panetone and torrone. A must for dessert lovers.
Open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Alba Produce
18 Permenter Street
Find the ingredients that you need to make the perfect dinner. The seasonal selection is tops with broccoli rabe, escarole and fennel along with Swiss chard.
Alba Produce also sells the fresh pasta that local North End restaurants use.
Open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on Sunday.
Bricco Paneterria
241 Hanover St. in the rear
Duck down an alley to a small retail counter in front of the bake shop. Get a loaf for an afternoon picnic in the Boston Common. The aroma of the fresh baked bread is heaven. Or head next door for a made-to-order sandwich.
Open everyday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Bricco Salumeria
11 Board Alley
Next to the Bricco Paneterria step into a shop for all your Italian favorites. Find cured meats, olives, pasta and house-made pasta sauce for your next meal. Order a sandwich from the counter for lunch.
Open Monday through Thursday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
V. Cirace & Son
173 North Street
After gathering the ingredients for your Italian feast, time to celebrate. Find wine, spirits along with hard-to-find Italian specialities.
Open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and closed Sunday.
Boston Public Market
100 Hanover Street
Another foodie stop, the Boston Public Market offer foodie delights in an indoor marketplace. I found lots of locally-sourced food and ingredients. Shop for fruits and vegetables, meat or seafood along with baked goods and fresh flowers. Or just stop for lunch or a snack, I found coffee and ice cream too.
Open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
HayMarket
Blackstone Street North of Quincy Market
Visit the historic open-air market to shop for fresh fruits, vegetable and seafood. It’s one of the oldest open-air markets in the country, setting up in 1820.
Open Friday and Saturday only from Spring until Fall from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. Cash only.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
4 S. Market St.
Stroll through the largest food hall on the East Coast. Find close to 50 different food merchants and restaurants offering quick-service take-aways and table service. Outside find street performers that add to the area’s ambience.
Open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
Cruising?
Boston is a popular port-of-call for East Coast Cruises, like the Regent Seven Seas Fall Color Cruise. If you didn’t book an excursion then grab ride share and head to the North End.
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