Five Hidden Gems of the North End (Non-Italian!!!)
When someone mentions the North End what comes to your mind? For most, the first thing that they think of is Italian food. Our minds fill up with thoughts of walking down the sidewalk and seeing all of the Italian restaurants, hearing the songs of accordions, and smelling all different kinds of garlicky dishes. What many of us don’t realize is that the North End is not only home to some of the best Italian food in Boston, but also home to some delicious non-Italian cuisine as well! After taking a look for myself, I chose the best five hidden gems that are nestled in among all of the Italian flavor. Enjoy
1. Bread and Butter
This hidden gem is an amazing café located right at 64 Cross Street. It is owned and run by Lee Napoli, a woman entrepreneur that has taken her talents and made a successful business out of it. Not only is she recognized for her delicious pastries and desserts, but also the breakfast food, salads, and sandwiches on the menu that are absolutely delicious! Everything on their menu, including their popular sodas, is made right in-house, and they are open seven days a week!
Check it out: Bread and Butter
2. North Street Grille
229 North Street is the home of my absolute favorite hidden gem. This American cuisine restaurant has a great dinner menu, but what it is really known for is it’s incredible brunch menu. Their brunch has everything from specialty omelets, to strawberry and nutella French toast, to buffalo chicken mac and cheese, to fresh lobster rolls. Their brunch menu is simply amazing, and so popular that they recently began to serve brunch on Fridays as well. Their famous brunch is now served Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. This gem is definitely worth a try!
Check it out: North Street Grille
3. Golden Goose Market
This convenient and popular market is located right at 179 Commercial Street. This market has everything a customer could possibly want. They have fresh produce, a butcher shop, a deli, grocery, wine and liquor, a bakery and a whole section of gourmet cheese. They also have meals on the run, such as, pizza, premade sandwiches, salads, and even sushi! Not only does this shop have everything, they also have amazing customer service. They have knowledgeable staff, are open everyday from 6AM – 11PM, and deliver for free everyday throughout the North End, waterfront, and downtown Boston. No wonder they have been in business for over 30 years!
Check it out: Golden Goose Market
4. Cobblestone Café
This hidden gem is more of a diner than a café. Who would have thought a diner would be in the North End? At 227 Hanover Street this place makes it happen! Named after the cobblestone streets of the North End, this place offers delivery, dine-in, and even catering! They serve classic diner foods like milkshakes, breakfast foods, soups, salads, subs, and even New England classics, like fried clam baskets and Boston steak tips. But what this hidden gem is really known for is its burger bar. They have some of the best specialty burgers around, including their buffalo burger, herbivore burger, and crab cake burger, as well as the option to build your own burger. Needless to say, delicious is an understatement when it comes to the Cobblestone.
Check it out: Cobblestone
5. Lulu’s Sweet Shoppe
This hidden gem is by far the sweetest! Located at 57 Salem Street, this sweet shop is known for its cupcakes, cookies, and retro candy. Lulu’s prides themselves on their authentic homemade baking done the old fashioned way. They offer over 20 different kinds of cupcakes, including the classics, but also some really popular specialty cupcakes. The flavors red velvet cheesecake, almond joy, brownie sundae, whoopie pie, and pistachio with port wine are just a few of Boston’s favorites. Next time you’re craving something sweet, go by and check it out!
Check it out: Lulu’s Sweet Shoppe