Bricco: A Premier Italian Wine Bar Experience in Boston's North End

My first Dine Out Boston 2026 Winter visit: Bricco, awarded "Best Espresso Martini" in Best of Boston 2025. The award went to the cocktails; when it comes to dishes, while the portions were generous, the quality was relatively ordinary. Table Bread: The bread was a bit hard and prickly in mouth. Three sauces were served: cannellini purée was purely bean-flavor, light and understated; pesto had a rich nutty aroma and a subtle garlic aftertaste; roasted garlics were soft and delicate with a gentle garlic flavor. My personal favorite was the pesto—the most fragrant and layered. Meatballs: The meatballs were large, firm, and somewhat chewy, but not quite up to the claim of "Boston’s best from certified Angus beef" on the menu. The tomato sauce was average. The ricotta's moist texture, light milky aroma, and the Parmigiano's firm texture and rich fermented aroma were the biggest pluses of the dish. The Crostini was excessively crumbly, jarring whether paired with the meatballs or used to clean the plate. Honestly, I was already feeling full by this point… Risotto: Best of the meal, 4.5 stars on its own. The tomato sauce was different from the meatballs; it was authentically Italian, with a crisp, refreshing acidity. Biting into the cherry tomatoes released a burst of flavor— be careful, for those who can't handle sourness. The rice was perfectly cooked, firm yet tender, each grain separate. The seafood, including scallops, squid, shrimp, and salmon, was all very fresh, firm, and bouncy. It was the first time I'd seen salmon in risotto; thankfully, the fishy taste was well removed, otherwise, the combination with the tomatoes would have been a disaster. Blueberry Cheesecake: The blueberries were practically nonexistent. Think of it as a New York-style cheesecake topped with white chocolate. It was extremely thick and creamy, like ice cream, but also incredibly sweet, making my mouth and throat feeling smothered. I had to alternate between a bite of cake and a sip of ice water to barely finish it. P.S. The lighting was so dim I couldn't see the food at all. Holding a DSLR camera in one hand while using a light in the other was exhausting.

Unforgettable Dining Experience at Bricco! Dining at Bricco was an absolute delight from beginning to end. The inviting atmosphere, beautifully prepared and flavorful food, and the exceptional service provided by Wolmar truly made the evening special. Wolmar went above and beyond to ensure a seamless and memorable experience. His attentiveness, knowledge of the menu, and genuine warmth made us feel completely at ease. He expertly selected our order, and his recommendations were spot-on. His impeccable timing ensured that each dish arrived just when we were ready, and he checked in with us at the perfect moments. The dishes themselves were a culinary masterpiece. Fresh ingredients, thoughtful presentation, and flavors that lingered long after the last bite made every dish a treat. From appetizers to dessert, everything was crafted with precision and passion. If you’re seeking a place where the food is fantastic and the service makes you feel like royalty, Briccoo is the place to be. And if you’re fortunate enough to be served by Wolmar, you’re in for an extraordinary culinary experience. Highly recommend!

Went for Valentine’s Day with a reservation, but in the past have tried to walk ins with no avail (unless you want to wait hours). I had the 8 oz steak, which I usually don’t order, but was pleasantly surprised. The only annoying thing was that you had to separately order a side which was an extra cost but the mash potatoes were also super good. We also got the braised short ribs - also fantastic. I would definitely come back for an occasional dinner as it’s a little pricy but the food was great.

The atmosphere was cozy, the service was top notch, but the food, while aesthetically pleasing, is surprisingly quite average. We ordered zucchini flowers, a filet, double mashed potatoes, creamy spinach, chittarine, spaghettoni al pomodoro, farfalle tartufate, tiramisu, creme brulee and the bread pudding. Only two of those dishes stood out and that was the zucchini flowers and the tiramisu. Most everything else was pretty bland or average at best. Overall our experience was pleasant but we weren't very impressed with the food. Side note: replace dirty or ripped menus, it's not a great first impression to open a menu and see stains.

I’ve heard from friends that their Espresso Martini is very good, and the Italian rice, pork knuckle, and oysters are also highly recommended. Overall, based on friends’ experiences, this place seems quite promising. I haven’t been there yet, but I’m planning to visit in the future.

Great late night spot for drinks...The staff was super friendly, and the dress was casual...we also ordered food it was okay nothing to write home about order a cheese pizza looks way better then it tasted...but drinks were on point and the bartender was super cool chick that lived in Chicago that made up for the pizza lol...Will definitely go back for some late night drinks again when we are in Boston next time. 100% recommend!

Outstanding meal at Bricco. We made reservations for four of us to celebrate a birthday and Bricco did not disappoint. We were greeted warmly upon arrival (Mason, consummate host and manager!) And shown to a table in the middle of the dining room. While the tables are close, it did not feel like the other tables were intruding on our experience. The wife's Farfalle Tartufate was delicious, but the notable dishes at the table were the Veal Ossobuco and the Pappardelle al Chinghale. Both dishes were expertly prepared and melted in your mouth. My Mediterranean Salad was perfectly cool and crisp. Capping off the meal was a wonderful Bread Pudding, a type of Banana Fosters and a round of Sambucca. We never felt rushed, the table service was excellent, and the overall ambiance was warm and homey. Well done Bricco for a special night!

During my most recent trip up here I stopped in to enjoy some Italian food. We had been told Little Italy was a must go place for food. We were also told the Espresso Martini was delicious and one of the best the person had had. Nothing here was a disappointment. The drinks and food were so beautifully cooked and this was my favorite meal of the entire stay. It looked like reservations are probably a good thing to have as the bar was the only walk in place. It is a big bar and I'm so glad we got to try this place. Plus the Espresso Martini may be the best so far.